The Elderly Home Visiting Committee was recently appointed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to conduct a holistic review of elderly residential facilities to ensure that they are keeping in line with the guidelines set out for them.
The visiting committee consists of ‘responsible’ citizens drawn from society and will be no more than 12 or less than six members who are appointed by subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud for two years.
In reviewing the activities of the facilities, the committee will be able to provide critical and relevant feedback on the compliance, progress, and challenges as it pertains to the implementation of the Minimum Standards for Elderly Residential Facilities.
The residential facilities will be provided with at least three days’ notice to conduct inspections and interview staff and residents in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Minimum Standards. The team is expected to prepare and submit a written report to Minister Persaud within two weeks of the visit; identifying any violations.
The committee will visit the facilities collectively or in pairs, have free access to every part of the facility, and interact with residents. It will also collaborate with the administrator, board, and ministry to improve the quality of care provided by the facility.
The team will also monitor the facilities to ensure that residents are treated with consideration, respect in full recognition of personal dignity and individuality, and will seek to ensure that the residents receive care, treatment and services that are adequate, appropriate, and in compliance with relevant statutes, policies, and rules.
Under special circumstances where a request is made, the committee can conduct investigations, and members of the Committee may view other pertinent records where necessary.
In order to view such records, though, the Committee will have to get the permission of the resident or their legal representative. The Administrator of the home can permit if the resident is unable to give consent or has no legal representative.
In cases where the Committee has reasonable cause to believe that the Administrator is not acting in the best interest of an incapacitated resident, the Gerontologist on the Committee can examine the resident and findings can be used in the report submitted to the Ministry; or an examination may be done by a qualified medical officer, identified by the Visiting Committee, to produce a report to the committee.
Chairperson of the committee is Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, and members are Leslyn Holder, Dr. Davendra Sharma, Negla Brandis, Angelina Leitch, Sarah Rahaman, Rep. from MOH – Gerontology: Dr. Melissa Dehaarte, Rep. from MOAA, Pastor Patrick Findlay, Rep. from Elderly Commission, Rep from Support And Heal Network: Pastor Joshua Griffith, and Mrs. Abeke Samuels as Committee Secretary, Ministry of Human Services.
