VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Families of special needs adults say critical support services are being lost and they're struggling to cope following funding cuts to
Community Living BC.
Lynette Pollard-Elgert's daughter Rory has lived at the Williams Road Group Home in Richmond for about 20 years, but due to the funding cuts, it's now being closed.
"They have 24 hour care, so it's constantly staffed. These people are all trained so nobody gets burned out. In a home share you will be burnt out in months."
She adds that home care is much like foster care. Pollard-Elgert is worried her daughter will be placed with a family that may not have the necessary training. She also won't have access to her daughter in a home care setting.
Pollard-Elgert thinks it's unfair to shut down the group home where her daughter has lived and been happy for decades.
Meantime, Mo Gaffney says her brother has been living at VGH since May, after losing his bed at a group home. Her brother John has Down Syndrome and was hospitalized after his behaviour became difficult and he was diagnosed with dimentia.
Gaffney says a nurse told her about a bed available at a group home, but Community Living BC is refusing to move her brother from the hospital.
NDP critic for community living
Nicholas Simons says his office has been inundated with letters and calls from families affected by the cuts.
"From forced group home closures with little notice, to a general lack of standard in care for transitioning adults with disabilities into home share arrangements, the Liberals' policies are hurting those most vulnerable in our society," says Simons.
"The premier's promises have amounted to no support, a growing alarm over health and safety, and an ever-decreasing quality of life," he adds.