Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck visited Weyburn on Monday to meet with Fred Sandeski, whose situation has drawn province-wide attention regarding access to long-term care services.
Speaking after her visit, Beck described Sandeski as a person who, despite his health challenges, remains committed to advocating for better treatment of seniors.
"It was really a pleasure to get to talk with Fred today, someone that I know we've heard so much about," Beck said. "This is a man who's done incredible things for the community, giving back 20 years of service helping some of the least fortunate people in Weyburn, someone who's had a heck of a struggle with his own health."
Sandeski, who has been diagnosed with late-stage COPD and several other health conditions, was recently discharged from the Weyburn Special Care Home after being deemed ineligible for long-term care placement under provincial guidelines. His case has sparked discussion about the standards used to determine access to long-term care in Saskatchewan.
Beck expressed concern about how the assessment tool is being applied.
"Anyone who spends any time with Fred would understand that this is someone who needs care," she said, citing his difficulty with basic activities such as answering the phone due to breathing and heart issues. "If he doesn't qualify based on the assessment, I would suggest that, as many people have suggested to me and to our shadow minister, Keith Jorgensen, is that the assessment needs to be looked at."
She also questioned the design of the tool itself, asking, "Is this tool designed to keep numbers low on waitlists? Or is this a tool designed to ensure that people get the care that they need?"
Beck called for changes to the system to better incorporate medical judgment and individual circumstances, rather than relying strictly on clinical criteria. She noted that factors such as the caregiver’s health, as in the case of Fred’s wife, Teresa, should be considered.
"There needs to be an ability to look at seniors in our province based on their circumstances, not just some clinical tool that really, in this case, seems to be leaving out the humanity of the situation, leaving out empathy," she said. "Five minutes with Fred would tell anyone who has empathy that the system or the assessment tool is not working the way that it should be."
When asked about next steps, Beck pointed to the need for a new model that prioritizes access to care over rigid qualifications.
"I think one of the things that he would like to see is a new assessment tool, an assessment tool that does place the care of seniors as the most important thing," Beck stated.
Beck encouraged others who have faced similar experiences to come forward and advocate for improved senior care.
"I think more people speaking out, more people raising these concerns would go a long way," she said. "I know our Shadow Minister for Seniors Affairs, Keith Jorgensen, and myself and our whole team are dedicated to continuing to raise the alarm on this until we do get better care for seniors."