Staffing cuts will be made within long-term care of Bethany Care Society centres, but not in the areas where young adults reside, said the president and CEO on Thursday.
Greer Black said that about four full-time equivalent positions will be cut at Bethany Collegeside in Red Deer and about 2.5 FTEs at Bethany Sylvan Lake.
The reductions will mainly focus on health-care aides and licensed practical nurses. A registered nurse position will be added at each centre to meet the requirements of the Alberta Health Services funding model.
Bethany Care Society reports the new funding model assesses each resident’s level of care and assigns a dollar value based on where the resident’s care needs rank against a provincial average. The funding values are weighted more heavily for residents with complex care needs and rehabilitation focused care, versus those with lighter care needs, including those with dementia care.
Bethany is in the process of cutting these positions now and the new schedule will start April 8.
“This affects just our long-term care and doesn’t affect the young adult program at Collegeside and it doesn’t affect Collegeside Gardens Supportive Living,” said Black. “It doesn’t affect supportive living at Sylvan Lake.”
Across Bethany’s six care centres in Central and Southern Alberta, a total of about 53 full-time equivalent employees will be cut. Since a high percentage of these positions are part-time, the actual number of employees will be greater.
Black said the cuts will affect resident care, unfortunately.
“When we do these kinds of changes, it is ultimately the mothers and the fathers and the grandparents that are going to feel the effect,” said Black. “This is something we have done sadly. It’s our belief that our seniors deserve to be cared for with dignity and respect.”
Black said they hear a lot from families that there’s not enough care now.
The funding changes has him concerned in particular over those with Alzheimer’s disease.
“I don’t think the funding formula recognizes their care needs sufficiently,” he said.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com