Nova Scotia nursing home deaths by numbers, circumstances
Eight seniors have died in long-term care homes in N.S. from 2008 to 2016 as 'a result of violence.'
Eight seniors have died in long term care homes in Nova Scotia from 2008 to 2016 as "a result of violence," as described in death reports to the government. The public was previously told about three incidents.
This is a list of the descriptions of the incidents, taken from government records:
Aug.12, 2008, Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown
Circumstances: "(Blank) had dementia and was placed at (blank). After only being there for (blank) was pushed by another resident, fell and (blank)."
What authorities told the public: RCMP did not issue a public notice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."
May 18, 2009, Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow
Circumstances: "She (a staff person) is reporting the death ... a short time ago in their facility. Medical records history
describes an 'altercation' at the nursing home during which decedent was pushed by another resident where (blank) fell on (blank)."
What authorities told the public: New Glasgow police did not issue a public notice due to decision not to proceed with criminal investigation.
July 8, 2011, Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg
Circumstances: These are severely redacted. The statement says only, "Deceased fell on (blank) at the nursing home and prior to the fall decedent was able to (blank)."
What authorities told the public: RCMP did not issue a public notice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."
Feb. 5, 2011, Arborstone, Halifax
Circumstances: "The deceased was in a hallway and there was an altercation between the deceased and another resident. The deceased was apparently 'shoved to the floor with great force,' striking a wall and later noted to have a possible (blank)."
What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced an investigation and then announced there would be no charges following a homicide investigation into the death of 92-year-old woman who was hurt in the fall.
Police said the woman died from injuries related to the fall about a month after she was pushed by another resident in a dementia unit on Jan. 7.
At the time, The Canadian Press reported that the Arborstone Enhanced Care Nursing Home issued a statement saying neither woman had a history of aggressive behaviour towards each other or other clients.
March 1, 2012, Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown
Circumstances: "In its investigation, one of the residents told the staff that the deceased had been pushed by (blank) ... "
What authorities told the public: RCMP did not issue a public notice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."
Oct. 6, 2013, Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax
Circumstances: "A resident ... was pushed by another resident causing (blank) to fall backwards."
What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced an investigation. Following a news release, CBC news reported that a 74-year-old woman allegedly got into an altercation with a 91-year-old woman.
Sept. 15, 2015, Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney
Circumstances: "According to the notes, the deceased was pushed by another resident ... at a nursing home."
What authorities told the public: Police did not publicize the case after deciding there was no criminal intent.
Sept. 20, 2015, Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax
Circumstances: "Another patient pushed the deceased causing ... to fall to the floor striking (blank)."
What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced a homicide investigation and later announced the case was dropped. They said a 71-year-old man was involved in an altercation with an 81-year-old man at the facility and was not charged because he had a cognitive impairment.
(SOURCE: Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, Halifax police, RCMP, New Glasgow police, CBRM police. Dates provided are for reports on the deaths, not actual incidents.)