Seniors home closed, licence revoked due to 'significant' concerns for residents
Ariana Kelland and Glenn Payette | CBC News | Posted: July 6, 2016 12:16 PM | Last Updated: July 6, 2016
A seniors home in Mount Carmel has been shut down and its licence has been revoked because of "significant" non-compliance with personal care home standards.
Eastern Health confirmed for CBC News that six residents of Riverside Country Manor Personal Care Home in Mount Carmel will have new accommodations by Friday.
The owner of the home on Main Road in the St. Mary's Bay community was served notice that the licence was revoked on Tuesday.
Dermot Pike, whose 88-year-old father and 78-year-old mother had been living in the home for the last three years, was taken aback by the decision.
"Quite a shock. We don't know why this is happening so fast," he told CBC News.
His parents noticed that Eastern Health had been keeping a closer watch on the facility since February.
"They have made numerous visits there, even outside of what we would call normal business hours," said his wife, Julie Pike, adding that her in-laws "noticed that social workers were making more frequent visits."
She added, "Obviously, there is something going on."
Dermot Pike would like to know what will become of his parents.
"We aren't really sure. They are being offered the chance to stay, but it won't be under the care of Eastern Health," he said in an interview.
"That's our biggest concern. They won't be under Eastern Health."
Health authority not talking about specifics
Eastern Health said the decision was made because of a significant non-compliance with the Personal Care Home Operational Standards.
The health authority, which is responsible for licensing and monitoring personal care homes, said it will not be speaking of the specifics of this case.
However, licence cancellations only happen when there is "significant concern for the safety and well-being of residents."
Riverside Country Manor Personal Care Home was one of 22 homes ordered by the fire commissioner in 2008 to close because they failed to install sprinklers.