A Montreal-area family is alleging that their mother is the victim of neglect at a Verdun longterm care center - a symptom they say is a greater problem in the healthcare system.
Kim Robertson's 80-year-old mother, Denise Bondoux has been at the Champlain Long Term Care Center since January 2016.
Robertson alleges their pleas and concerns about the care and treatment of her mother over the past five months have fallen on deaf ears: no information on medication administered, unexplained falls, long delays in being informed.
"There was no blood, no broken bones, bla bla bla," said Robertson, explaining that's the kind of dismissive explanations they'd get from the center.
"(The ambulance paramedics) basically determined that she might have suffered a mild heart attack hence that's what caused her fall (in August)," said Robertson who contacted youstory@cjad.com.
Robertson said they were only told 16 hours later. Her mother would fall two more times, ending up with a broken wrist. Robertson claims they'd been asking for information, explanations and adapted furniture for months.
Pneumonia was the latest incident despite their concerns to staff about her mother`s cold and laboured breathing 12 days earlier. Bondoux is now recovering in hospital.
Robertson said they are concerned about the effects of all this on their mother's physical and mental state.
"Ok, she's not being physically abused. But neglect, that's a form of abuse," said Robertson.
Robertson said her trust in the healthcare system has eroded to the point that moving her mother to another facility wouldn't make a difference, adding why is the onus on them to take such an action.
The health agency in charge of the center said they can't comment on specific cases due to confidentiality reasons but that there is a complaints process and it's their priority to offer safe and quality services to clients,
Robertson said she has filed complaints, hoping someone is listening and that her story will encourage others.
"This can't keep going on. How many seniors do we have to see that get abused?" said Robertson.
"If you feel that you`re not getting the answers or the care that you think you should be receiving, then it`s time to speak up."