Report logs abuse, overdose and feces-strewn walls at private care homes in N.L.

An older adult is seen on a main street in Peterborough, Ontario on Monday May 7, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

ST. JOHN’S — A new report from Newfoundland and Labrador’s auditor general details complaints of abuse, missing residents and feces-strewn walls at personal care homes in the province.

The report from Denise Hanrahan’s office says one care home resident died of an overdose after receiving multiple medications intended for another resident.

Another resident didn’t return from a walk and was found dead later that day.

The audit released this week covers more than two years from April 2022 to last September, and it looks at privately owned personal care facilities housing seniors and other adults, most of which were for-profit enterprises.

Noted infractions from monitoring reports included residents complaining of abuse by staff — including sexual abuse — and a room that was covered in feces.

Vivian Stamatopoulos, a long-term care researcher at Ontario Tech University, calls the report horrifying and says it shows for-profit interests have no place in senior care.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 3, 2025.