A recent report by the Office of the Seniors Advocate for British Columbia shows that both of Castlegar’s long-term care homes are doing pretty well compared to provincial averages in many residient care and treatment categories.
The advocate’s quick facts directory is updated annually and includes information on all publicly-funded long-term care homes in the province including Castleview Care Centre and Talarico Place.
One particular area of concern has been the number of direct care hours patients receive.
“The latest data demonstrate a significant increase in care hours over the past year, and we are clearly making considerable advancement on the goal of 3.36 hours of care per bed per day,” said seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie in a prepared statement.
Both of Castlegar’s care homes are essentially meeting that provincial standard. Castleview is providing 3.35 hours and Talarico is providing 3.36 hours. Both facilities have increased their direct-care hours from the previous year by about 0.2 hours per bed.
According to the report the number of facilities meeting the recommended provincial guideline across the province doubled from 15 per cent last year to 30 per cent this year.
Depression and psychosis treatments
Another ongoing concern has been the number of residents receiving depression and antipsychotic medications without first receiving diagnoses for the conditions.
The report states there was almost no drop in the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs, a trend that has continued for the past three years.
At Castleview 40 per cent of residents have been diagnosed with depression and 60 per cent are taking depression medications.
At Talarico 24 per cent of residents have been diagnosed with depression and 45 per cent are taking depression medications.
Compared with the provincial average of 23 per cent of residents with depression diagnoses and 49 per cent taking depression medications, both local facilities have a lower rate of people without diagnoses taking medications. But the seniors advocate wants to see those numbers drop province wide.
Both local facilities come in far below the provincial average for patients taking antipsychotic medications without diagnoses of psychosis. While the provincial average is 24 per cent, Castleview comes in at 11 per cent and Talarico at seven per cent of patients taking antipsychotic medications without diagnoses.
Care services
Both local facilities are well above the provincial average for the number of residents receiving physical therapy. The provincial average is 11 per cent. Castleview has 77 per cent of residents in physical therapy and Talarico has 22 per cent.
The provincial average for recreational therapy is 29 per cent. Castleview has 57 per cent of residents in this type of therapy, but Talarico does not have any residents in recreational therapy.
Neither facility used daily physical restraints for residents, but the provincial restraint average is seven per cent.
Resident populations
The report also breaks down individual facility’s populations in several categories.
Per cent of residents at Castleview:
Totally dependent in activities of daily living: 15 (provincial average 31)
With severe cognitive impairment: 18 (average 29)
With dementia: 88 (average 64)
With physically abusive behaviours: 5 (average 9)
With low social engagement: 16 (average 48)
Per cent of residents at Talarico:
Totally dependent in activities of daily living: 45
With severe cognitive impairment: 33
With dementia: 57
With physically abusive behaviours: 9
With low social engagement: 48
The full report can be found at seniorsadvocatebc.ca.