It was extremely hot last week but Brantford’s municipal long-term care home remained “nice and cool,” said the facility’s administrator.
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Some employees and family members disagree.
Michael Bastian, the administrator of the John Noble Home, said Friday that temperatures are taken multiple times a day in multiple places in the home – as required by the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
“The average temperature throughout is 24C (75.2 F). We’re proud of having full air-conditioning for all residents and staff. If the ministry inspected us right now, we would meet compliance, for sure.”
Bastian said the home has a plan in place that means protocols must be started if the temperatures reach 26C (78.8F) and that wasn’t necessary last week.
“The investment we’ve put into the system is huge. It’s well maintained but we’re also well prepared if anything should break down.”
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Glenna Young, who spends hours each day with her husband, Tom Young, in the facility, says the heat spike had many complaining.
“I’ve heard them all complaining about it,” Young said, supplementing her comments with photos from a digital thermometer placed in various public spaces and resident rooms.
Employees, who asked not to be identified, also provided photos showing temperatures ranged from 77.9F (25.5C) at a nurse’s station to 80.6F (27C) in a resident’s room to 82F (27.8C) in a tub room where steam may have driven up the record.
Young said her husband has an air-conditioning unit in his room, recommended by a neurologist because he has seizures related to high temperatures, but noted the higher temperatures in other areas are hard on staff who are actively working.
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“It is tough, exhausting and very draining working in the heat and humidity,” said one worker who asked not to be identified.
“Most staff are feeling sick and grumpy with no means of staying cool.”
The worker said staff aren’t allowed fans due to COVID and air circulation issues, and the staff lunchroom doesn’t have air-conditioning keeping it cool.
“Even the homeless population are given access to cooling centers. And if we’re feeling (the heat), so are the residents and their families.”
A woman with a family member on Brant Terrace said the room she visits regularly is reasonably cool and staff are sure to pull the blinds to keep the sun from warming it.
“But I’m very concerned about the dining room. There’s very little air movement and it’s hot. It’s been up to 27C and the serving staff have red faces and look so uncomfortable over the steam tables with not even a fan going.”
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Once meals have been served, the temperature tends to drop to 25C or 26C, she said.
Another worker said last summer was “horrible” as well.
“You would be sweating just sitting and actual work was horrible. Sweat would be dripping off you, into your eyes, making it difficult to do your job.
“You’re not allowed to have drinks on the floor so you have to leave to get a drink and some (workers) have gone home from heat exhaustion.”
The worker said some residents complain and can’t sleep due to the heat.
“They crawl out of bed and (that can) cause falls and behaviors that make it even harder to work and get things done.”
Bastian said the thermometers used by staff and family members to document the temperatures in the home aren’t the same as the proper equipment the home uses to check all temperatures daily.
“A little cheap thermometer on the wall or a window ledge is not gong to be accurate. We use the right equipment and take the air temperature in the middle of the room.”
Another employee said there is no air-conditioning in “the tower” of the home where it can get warmer on the higher floors.
Bastian said that’s just not true.
“I really don’t know what that person is talking about. We have full central air-conditioning throughout the home.”
@EXPSGamble
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