NDP calls baloney on care home Christmas meal

CTV Regina: Cold Christmas dinner sparks debate The NDP are calling for change after a Regina woman posted a picture of a Christmas meal her father was served at a care home.

Residents at Pioneer Village care home in Regina were served a classic turkey dinner for lunch Christmas Day, but it’s the supper they were offered that evening that has the provincial NDP calling baloney.

The supper of sandwich meat, macaroni salad and a bun wasn’t healthy, appropriate or dignified, Opposition deputy leader Trent Wotherspoon told media Saturday.

“The meal that was served on Christmas Day is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

A picture of the meal was posted to Facebook by Darlene Mitchell, a Regina woman who was visiting her father at the care home.

She was shocked to see what was on her dad’s plate.

“A piece of cold bologna and a piece of cold salami and some watered-down macaroni does not meet any nutrition guide whatsoever,” Mitchell said.

Wotherspoon agreed. He said the cold supper — regardless of whether or not it was served Christmas Day — is not acceptable any day of the year and called for minimum care standards in seniors’ facilities.

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region stressed the Pioneer Village residents were served a turkey meal for lunch.

“The supper was intended, very purposely, to be a lighter Christmas cold cut serving,” said Michael Redenbach, vice-president of integrated health services.

He couldn’t confirm exactly what was served at the home for Christmas supper — he couldn’t say if vegetables were on the menu or not — but said the meal likely followed the province’s nutritional guidelines.

“We have nutritional standards and nutritional guidelines that are included in the special care home guidelines, and we follow those,” Redenbach said. “Those are provincial guidelines.”

Registered dieticians also help with meal plans, he added.

Pioneer Village is the largest senior’s home in Saskatchewan with 390 beds and 143 low income apartments.

Mitchell said the supper wasn’t the first time her father has been served a meal her family would not consider nutritious. She said her mother has also seen the meals that are served in the home and complained about them.

--- with files from the Canadian Press