September 25, 2024
$150
ATIKOKAN PROGRESS (Inc. 7¢ HST)
Atikokan-Quetico, Canoeing Capital of Canada
Volume 74, Number 47
R #40012356
Excellent outcome to first full ECW inspection in six years M. McKinnon The province conducted a proactive compliance inspection at the hospital's extended care wing over eight days in July. It was the most comprehensive inspection the facility has undergone since before the pandemic, and for the most part reflected very well on the care being provided here. In many ways, the pandemic was a wake-up call for the province with regard to the state of long-term care. Many facilities were unable to contain COVID19 outbreaks, and the death rates at many were simply unacceptable. It led the province to make a wide range of reforms, including a new inspection program and the hiring of dozens of additional inspectors. The inspection was residentcentred and included direct discussion with residents. It was designed to focus on residents' care needs and the home's programs and services. Inspectors observed residents and their care and followed a standard set of inspection protocols. The inspectors work in pairs, and their visits are unannounced. A full inspection usually takes about seven days to complete. They met with administrators and staff, toured the home, reviewed records, and just observed day-today care and conditions. Homes are expected to follow a long list of care protocols, which are basically operating standards set by the provincial government. During this visit, inspectors conducted a detailed review of the way the hospital was handling fourteen protocols: Medication management; Food, nutrition and hydration; Safe and secure home; Quality
improvement; Pain management; Restraints and personal assistance device management; Resident care and support services; Skin and wound prevention and management; Residents' and family councils; Infection prevention and control; Prevention of abuse and neglect; Staffing, training, and care standards; Residents' rights and choices; Reporting and complaints. Inspectors also observed residents to see if they are getting the assistance they need with activities of daily living as per their plan of care, such as bathing, personal care, dress, continence care, and bowel management. They reviewed residents' clinical records, observed medication administration practices, drug storage areas, and drug destruction and disposal areas. They observed a full meal service focusing on residents receiving the correct menu items and the assistance they require. They verified the falls prevention and management program at the home was in compliance with legislative requirements. They observed how staff interacted with residents, looking to ensure care was provided with courtesy, respect, and dignity. Non-compliance The inspection report, which can be found online at https:// PublicReporting.ltcHomes.net, runs to eighteen pages and lists thirteen specific shortcomings, only one of which rose to a level requiring a compliance order. The inspectors found the residentstaff communication and response system was not up to snuff, noting two specific problems: • There were a number of areas See ‘LTC inspection’, page 4
TERRY FOX RUN St. Pat's School's twentieth annual Terry Fox Run on Friday pushed the school community's total contribution to cancer research over the $28,000 mark. Here, Ava Goodman, Kacie McMillan, Callum Minor, Owen Allen, Alex Knowles, and Ian Davis carry the flag for the event. Northern Lakes students hit the road for Terry Fox tomorrow. (ST. PAT'S SCHOOL PHOTO)
Council asked to join in the struggle to end homelessness in Atikokan Tammy Faykes, chair of the Atikokan Housing and Homelessness Committee made the following presentation to Council Monday: The severe lack of affordable housing, and social housing units, has resulted in a rising crisis of homelessness affecting vulnerable individuals, youth, seniors and families. Our community like many others in our district is experiencing significant housing shortages, but what makes our situation even more pressing is that we do not have a local shelter or warming place for out of the cold in the winter months to support those who are unhoused. Let me first outline the facts: The housing crisis in our community from the front line Over the past five years, since the Atikokan Housing & Homelessness Coalition was formed,
we've seen a noticeable rise in homelessness, despite being a small town. Without a local shelter or warming shelter for out of the cold, those experiencing homelessness have limited to no
options for temporary relief, often resorting to living in cars, staying nights at the post office, couch surfing, or sleeping outdoors. The rental market is also a See ‘Homelessness’, page 2
Mayor: Council sees the problem, is willing to act M. McKinnon Council is aware Atikokan has a homeless problem, and is willing to work with the housing and homelessness coalition to help find solutions. Mayor Ferguson, who is part of the coalition board and represents Atikokan on District of Rainy River Services Board, noted the Town transfers $72,000 a month to the board to support social services and land ambulance costs.
“I am always pressing the services board for more social housing in Atikokan, but funding is scarce,” he said. He went on to note that the Town would make zoning changes if any proponent were to come forward with a housing proposal. Council ended up supporting (by the narrowest of margins) the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services proposal to develop a supportive housing project here in See ‘Council willing’, page 2
Turkey Vultures: Nature's clean-up crew Story and photos by Mary and Dave Elder
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Turkey Vultures will often sit with spread wings to warm up before taking flight. On cold nights they can lower their body temperature to conserve energy.
ecently, a friend asked about two large blackish birds she had seen on the edge of the highway. They had bright red heads and a whitish bill. Her first thought was that they were barnyard turkeys but that did not seem right, so she gave us a call. The birds she had seen and described were Turkey Vultures, common summertime residents in our area. They are sonamed after their naked red heads and dark brownishblack bodies that resemble a turkey. The birds our friend had seen had undoubtedly found a road-killed animal and were busy doing what they do: cleaning up carcasses of anything that is dead. Vultures are found throughout the world mainly in temperate and tropical areas. All are large to huge birds that have an unparalleled ability to sail endlessly in the air using wind and uprising air currents to stay aloft with almost no movement of their broad wings. Curiously, they are absent from Australia, and the vultures of Europe, Africa, and Asia are only slightly related to those found in North and South America. Strangely enough, New World
vultures appear to be related to storks whereas Old World vultures are related to birds of prey. Turkey Vultures are found across central and southern North America. The more northerly populations migrate south into Central and South America, returning in early spring. The birds in our area usually arrive about the end of April and leave for the south in September. They are a common summer sight, most often seen soaring effortlessly on wide-spread wings. In profile, the wings are held in a distinct vee shape, are seldom flapped, and the bird tilts from side to side as it sails overhead, a distinct identification characteristic. Before Europeans came to North America, the eastern half of the continent was covered in magnificent hardwood forests. The thick impenetrable canopy of green stretched from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast of the United States. This forest presented a challenge to a bird that fed on dead things lying on the forest floor but completely hidden beneath the crowns of the trees. See ‘Turkey Vultures’, page 7