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Post by Rekert Sun 23 Jun 2019, 7:12 pm

Union calls for investigation into Winnipeg veterans' care

The Canadian Press · Posted: Jun 23, 2019

Deer Lodge Centre Deer-lodge-centre-winnipeg
The Union of Veterans Affairs Employees is calling for an investigation into an alleged decline in service for veterans at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg. (Google Maps)







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Post by Lucifer Sat 20 Jul 2019, 9:31 pm




'WE'RE HERE FOR YOU': Bikers pay tribute to Deer Lodge Centre veterans

Published:
July 20, 2019



They look rough and tough, but a leather-clad group of bikers were more than happy to meet their heroes – the veterans living at Winnipeg’s Deer Lodge Centre.

More than 120 motorcycles riders from across Canada rolled into the parking lot of Deer Lodge Centre on Saturday afternoon. The riders are all part of the Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club, a national club of active and retired Canadian military members who now ride together. The group has decided to raise money for the veterans living at the Deer Lodge Centre.

“My heroes, our heroes, these veterans – we’re here for you,” said Jerry Hart, president of the Commandos Manitoba Chapter.


The Commandos, some who drove from British Columbia to be at Deer Lodge Centre, presented the veterans with a plaque thanking them for their service. Along with the plaque, Hart gave the centre a custom bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky for the veterans.

“No charge. You want a shot, you have it,” Hart said, receiving quite a few laughs from the veterans.


Bert Sheremet, a veteran and resident at Deer Lodge Centre, accepted the Commandos gift on behalf of all the residents at the centre.

“Wow. To all the veterans who are here from coast to coast, we welcome you. God bless you all for being here,” Shermet said. “Believe you me – some of those (motorcycles) I’ve seen are wonderful.”

The Commandos organized a fundraiser on Saturday evening. Hart said the funds are going to go directly to the veterans at Deer Lodge Centre for an outing of some kind. He said what they do is up to the veterans.

A portion of the funds will also be going to the Operational Stress Injuries Clinic at the centre which treats military and police personnel who suffer from mental health conditions. A clinic spokesperson said they treat more than 1,000 people per year, and the number keeps growing.

Despite the rain, many of the veterans got to go outside and take a look at the rows of Harley Davidson motorcycles in the parking lot. The bikers, many dressed head-to-toe in leather, each took time to shake the hands of the residents of Deer Lodge Centre and personally thank the veterans for their service.

“We thank you. We thank you from our hearts, with the love we have for you – for giving your sweat, your blood, your emotions,” said Shane Fox, the national padre (chaplain) for the Commandos. “We want to thank for the freedoms that we have and the cost that it came at.”

Saturday’s event was a part of the Commandos’ National Rally.

dunger@postmedia.com

Twitter: @dantonunger









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Post by Mojave Tue 30 Jul 2019, 9:05 pm




Veterans Affairs to investigate Deer Lodge staffing claims

By: Katie May
Posted: 07/30/2019



The federal department responsible for veterans is looking into a call for an independent review of a Winnipeg long-term care home.

The Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees has raised concerns about the impact of staff cuts at Deer Lodge Centre, sparking the office of Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay to say it is sending a senior official to visit the facility in early August.

The department is doing its “due diligence,” said spokesman Alex Wellstead, and has determined “right now, there is no cause for concern.”


After meeting with the union in June, the minister’s office contacted Deer Lodge to ensure its residents were safe. It hasn’t heard any concerns directly from veterans nor their families, Wellstead said, but representatives will visit the Winnipeg centre to see for themselves.

“We want to make sure that veterans are getting what they need,” he said.

On Tuesday, the union reiterated its request for an independent review of the care veterans and other residents of Deer Lodge are receiving, citing concerns about stretched-thin staff and declining food quality and recreational opportunities, as a result of staffing cuts at the facility over the past two years.

Deer Lodge has publicly rejected the union’s claims.

“Deer Lodge Centre has responded to the concerns raised by a family member and UVAE national president on several occasions, and strongly disagrees with the characterization of the care being provided to veterans. Deer Lodge Centre would co-operate with Veterans Affairs Canada on any and all reviews VAC wishes to conduct,” chief executive officer Kevin Scott wrote in an emailed statement.

The 429-bed home has about 60 residents who are veterans, said Virginia Vaillancourt, the union’s national president. The vets used to live on the same floor, but now they’re scattered and have lost their sense of community, she said, saying the facility is too short-staffed.

At times, there haven’t been enough employees on duty to take residents to their appointments or to the washroom during meal times. Family members told the union “some veterans were advised to ‘go in their pants or their diaper,'” according to the union’s statement.

“Our members, unfortunately, they’re sad, they’re depressed and demoralized, because they can’t do the work that they should for the veterans they care for,” Vaillancourt said.

“We requested an independent investigation to be done because of the concerns that we’ve heard from our members, from families of veterans and, unfortunately, a lot of the families are scared to come forward publicly because they fear that the services will be cut further.”

The daughter of a Second World War veteran who resides at Deer Lodge said she would support a third-party review of operations at the facility. The Winnipeg resident didn’t want to be publicly identified because she worries her father will suffer the consequences of her speaking against the care home.

She said she has seen a decline in cleanliness of the facility since staff cuts in January, and has hired an aide for her father after recreation programs at Deer Lodge were cut back earlier this year.

“We’re not happy that we have to pay out of pocket… (but) it’s worth every penny not to have him sit in the room,” she said.

“The veterans still need to be treated with respect and given the proper care, just like any resident there.”

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca









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Post by Mojave Tue 30 Jul 2019, 9:10 pm



Union slams care for veterans at Deer Lodge Centre

Published:
July 30, 2019



The union that represents employees at a Winnipeg personal care home say they’ve been ignored over and over again by the federal and provincial governments regarding deteriorating care for veterans at the facility.

The Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees, which represents approximately 2,600 employees in Veterans’ Affairs Canada including around 500 at Deer Lodge Centre, says care has plummetted for 60 veterans at the care home thanks to staff cutbacks.

The concerns include a recent scabies outbreak, a reduction in overall care, and reduced services and supports to veterans and their families.

According to UVAE national president Virginia Vaillancourt, veterans and their families have reported limited access to recreational and health support services as well as concerns over the quality of food being provided.

Furthermore, Vaillancourt alleges that the cutbacks have resulted in veterans not having escorts to the bathroom during mealtimes.

“Instead, family members told the union that some veterans were advised to ‘go in their pants or their diaper,’ ” Vaillancourt said. “This is degrading and inhumane treatment of people that deserve so much better. On behalf of them and their families, we demand better and we demand more from the Minister and the Government of Canada.”

A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay said he and Vaillancourt had a “positive and productive” meeting last month where concerns were heard. The spokesperson said MacAulay immediately ordered a probe into the situation and said a senior official from VAC will visit the Deer Lodge next month to ensure the well-being of veterans who reside there.

“We expect all provincial facilities to deliver the best possible care and support to veterans,” the spokesperson said. “Deer Lodge is the responsibility of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Manitoba Ministry for Health, Seniors and Active Living. Any questions regarding their programs and services should be directed to those organizations.”

The probe into Deer Lodge is still ongoing, according to VAC.

In an email, Deer Lodge chief operating officer Kevin Scott said they have responded to concerns raised by a family member and the UVAE and “strongly disagrees with the characterization of the care being provided to Veterans.”

“In 2018 and 2019 Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living conducted a scheduled (June 2018) and unannounced (February 2019) Standards Review of the care provided at the Centre and the Centre met all required Standards,” Scott said. “The Review involved the Units with Veteran Residents.”

Vaillancourt, meanwhile, said the union has also written Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen but said she’s been ignored there, too.

“Everybody here is passing the buck and no one is dealing with a situation that is getting worse by the day. We call for immediate action and a public investigation,” Vaillancourt said. “Right now we are standing up for veterans. Who is going to join us?”

In an email, Friesen said the province takes the concerns seriously.

“We believe seniors and veterans deserve a high level of care in a safe environment,” Friesen said. “Officials from Deer Lodge Centre have committed to support a Veterans Affairs Canada review, should the federal minister choose to heed the call of the Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees.”









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