W5: Neglected Care: Decades of investigations into the long-term care industry
For nearly two decades, groundbreaking W5 investigations have shone a light on the failings of Canada’s long-term care system. From staff-to-resident abuse, resident-to-resident abuse, sexual assault, homicide, substandard care and staffing; we have shared the stories of victims, their families, and held institutions and governments accountable. We have championed the need for change.
Camille Parent told us how a hidden camera he installed caught confused nursing home residents walking into his mother’s room and rifling through her belongings; and the shocking images captured a personal support worker (PSW) aggressively trying to force the 84-year-old out of bed, while on another occasion, a PSW took a feces smeared cloth and shook it near the frail senior’s face.
Gaylord McAlpine and his sister Pat shared how their mom had been sexually assaulted by a resident in the nursing home, and how she was not alone in suffering this abuse.
Frank Piccolo’s family described to W5 how the immobile senior, suffering from Parkinson’s disease and dementia, was repeatedly hit over the head with a wooden activity board. Staff found him slumped over in his wheelchair, covered in blood. His attacker, another resident, was found nearby washing Frank’s blood from her hands.
And Lori Dekervor believes a lack of adequate care in a Toronto nursing home led to the hospitalization of her dad Arthur Ross Jones and the discovery of a massive gaping wound on his lower back that had turned septic. Dekervor says it was laced with feces.
Over the years, many families have approached W5 with claims of neglected care; maggots in wounds, repeated falls that weren’t stopped, and attacks by employees on residents. Staff have also shared the abuse they suffered at the hands of seniors in the throes of dementia.
And when the story of the pandemic is told, the huge tragedy will be how society let down the elderly. How provincial governments turned a blind eye for decades to problems plaguing long-term care. How, despite inquests, inquiries and coroners’ reports, recommendations for change have been largely ignored.
On April 26, 2021, Ontario introduced legislation to strengthen health workforce accountability and to implement a regulatory model for the province’s PSWs. Ontario is also promising further action, following a damning report by an independent commission over the failings of the government to protect LTC residents and staff during the pandemic.
Watch our 14 investigations going back to 2004 above, and read the story behind the stories and comb through exclusive data and legal documents on our dedicated W5: Neglected Care page.
If you or a loved one have a story about a long-term care facility, we want to hear from you.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario's 'crypto king' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
DEVELOPING Slovakia's populist prime minister shot multiple times in attempted assassination
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
BREAKING Barge hits a bridge in Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
A barge hit a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a small island, officials said.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
Latest updates on the biggest wildfires burning in Canada
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
OPINION Your attention span is shrinking, studies say. Here's how to stay focused: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.
If you've tried meditating but can't sit still, here's how - and why - to try again
The first time Marcelle Hutchins sat down to meditate, she put on a guided session, relaxed her shoulders and tried to close her eyes. She lasted two minutes.
BREAKING Quebec court rejects McGill injunction request to remove encampment
A Quebec judge has rejected McGill University's request for an injunction to remove the pro-Palestinian encampment on the university's campus in downtown Montreal.
Ottawa to acquire Quebec Bridge from CN, will spend $1 billion on span over 25 years
The federal government says it has reached a deal with Canadian National Railway Company to acquire the historic Quebec Bridge.
Local Spotlight
B.C. musician's song catches attention of Canucks
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Thieves caught on camera stealing pet chicken from North Vancouver backyard
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.