'It's heartbreaking': New Brunswick couple married 69 years separated before Christmas
The daughter of Herbert Goodine, 91, and Audrey Goodine, 89, who were separated days before Christmas, called the move "heartbreaking."
The couple have been married for 69 years and had lived together at the Victoria Villa Special Care Home in Perth-Andover, N.B.
After an assessment of the Department of Social Development on Herbert, the decision was made to move the 91-year-old because his dementia required extra care that the home wasn't equipped to provide.
Goodine's daughter, Dianne Phillips, said she was told last Friday her father would have to move. By Monday, Phillips watched her parents say goodbye, before her father was driven to a new care residence more than half an hour away.
"It wasn't the fact that they would be separated. It was before Christmas. I only wanted them to keep them together a few more days so that they could enjoy the season."
Phillips shared her anger on a Facebook post that went viral. She said it seemed to touch a nerve with many people in the same situation.
"They reached out to me. We try to keep pets together … my parents are human beings."
Phillips targeted her outrage at the Department of Social Development, saying she needed a longer notice.
"I thought nothing was going to take place until after Christmas. I had no question my father needed extra care."
The human element can't be lost in this- Dr. Michael Gordon
Administration's responsibility for all residents
Dr. Michael Gordon, a geriatric specialist at Baycrest Health Sciences, said these decisions should "always be based on the human aspect."
A couple's separation may have a very negative impact, according to Gordon.
"I believe in that concept of a broken heart depending on how severe the separation is … Separating from somebody one loves dearly can have a profound negative impact."
"What was the real risk and threat immediately as opposed to long-term?" he asked.
It's a communal home so we can't have people who are, let's say, violent and we can't control ... It's a fine balance- Michael Gordon
"The human element can't be lost in this."
At the same time, Gordon pointed to an administration's responsibility for all the residents.
"It's a communal home so we can't have people who are, let's say, violent and we can't control … it's a fine balance."
Statistics Canada's 2016 census figures revealed there are now 5.9 million Canadian seniors, compared to 5.8 million Canadians 14 and under. Projections suggest that by 2031, about 23 per cent of Canadians could be seniors.
Most provinces have little legislation when it comes to long-term care, according to Jane Meadus, lawyer and advocate with the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly.
"I think we are in a crisis now," said Meadus. "We have thousands of people languishing in hospitals across the country —people who are not getting the right level of care."
"We haven't really done that future planning. In Ontario right now, they are trying to add beds very quickly to a system that needed it 10 years ago."
"It's all really broken."
The Current contacted the New Brunswick's Department of Social Development. It sent the following statement.
The Department of Social Development certainly understand that this difficult situation has affected this couple and their family.
While we are unable to discuss the details of individual cases, we always work with the residents and their families to provide the appropriate level of care for those who require it.
Special care homes are important partners in providing care and support to our seniors and adults living with a disability. Special care homes are approved by the province to provide residential care services to adults with a disability and to seniors with moderate long term care needs. Assessments by social workers, and other medical professionals when appropriate, are conducted to ensure residents are receiving a level of care that is appropriate to their needs.
If it's determined that a senior needs additional care or that their safety is potentially in jeopardy, the department works with the resident and family members to facilitate a move to an appropriate home. Individuals who require a higher level of care than what can be provided in special care homes are moved to where their needs can be more appropriately met, such as in a nursing home or a memory care home.
Although special-care homes in New Brunswick are privately run, the department takes the concerns of people who have loved ones living in a special care home very seriously and works with them to ensure there are appropriate options available to enable residents to receive the care they require and deserve.
This segment was produced by The Current's Kristin Nelson and Willow Smith.