A small rally was held outside of the Weyburn Special Care Home yesterday afternoon for the eviction of Fred Sandeski from his room there. He had been living under the auspices of respite care since last fall.
In addition to media from Weyburn and Regina, a number of friends of Fred and his wife Teresa came out to show their support.
In spite of concerns raised by Teresa and other supporters about the level of care he will receive at home, the Saskatchewan Health Authority directed Fred Sandeski to return home, as he 'isn't sick enough' to be receiving long-term care.
While Sandeski has been diagnosed with late-stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lives with blindness, epilepsy, diabetes, celiac disease, and congenital heart failure, he is unable to receive around-the-clock care from his wife, Teresa, who is also receiving her own medical treatment.
Read more: Community planning rally to support Sandeski family
The Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Seniors, Keith Jorgenson, was also in attendance for Fred's eviction. He explained that due to, "huge waitlists for long-term care, the Sask Party has changed the requirements for long-term care to be that someone has to be incontinent of bowels. So an individual has to soil themselves three times a week in order to qualify."
"It is short-sighted and frankly cruel. Today we have had two Police officers called in to evict a very, very critically ill man, and put his belongings on the street. It's incredibly callous."
Fred expressed frustration over the decision.
"The frustration that I feel with this is ridiculous. They agree that I should be in long-term care, but I don't meet the criteria as of yet. I have to be sicker, and I don't know what else I can do. So I'm going home and try and live it out the best I can."
"The options they've given me are home care or I can go to the private facilities. But the private facilities you have to have $3,000 just to get into them, and then they might reimburse you some, but we're not guaranteed how much. We simply can't afford that. We're finding it a struggle just affording this place and paying rent for Teresa. So I don't know what else we can do. We're gonna go home and do the best we can."
Sandeski noted that he is winded walking fewer than 20 feet.
"We're hoping that our government is going to start realizing that they're putting too many barriers on those who really need it. Seniors particularly, because it's ridiculous to have to go through three or four different trials before they can allow you to stay in long-term care."
"I'm still capable enough to jump up and say, 'No. This is wrong'. There are too many restrictions and cost factors involved. Many of our seniors can't afford them, and those that can are going to the private industries."
When asked what care he can get at the Care Home versus at his family home, Sandeski had only good things to say about the staff at the care home.
"The girls are great. The facilities here are super. They do what they can, and they make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. That's all I ask. The staff are great, but it's the policies and regulations that have to change. And for that, we have to rely on our government."
Once home, he explained that Home Care will be visiting on a restricted schedule.
"They're going to be looking after us to some degree. Their hands are tied for a lot of things. They're not going to come in and cook meals or anything. They'll come in and make sure I'm breathing, give me my little pat on the head, and then they're gone. If Teresa has to go out then there's nobody here. I could pass away in my sleep. I don't want to die by myself. At least here, I've got somebody that I can rely on. Somebody that, I can push a button and the girls will come and give me anything I need."
He said he's afraid once he does qualify, there won't be a spot for him in Weyburn.
"I'd rather stay in my community because I've been here for a long time."