RED DEER – Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is launching the campaign to “Save Our Seniors’ Homes” today with a lunch hour rally at the Red Deer Nursing Home, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.
Alberta Health Services has threatened to shut down the Red Deer Nursing Home this fall along with the Valley Park Manor long-term care centre. Together, the facilities provide Central Alberta with 216 long-term care beds.
“By helping Albertans speak up we’ve encouraged Alberta Health Services to correct bad decisions before, and we hope to do it again in the case of these long-term care facilities,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
AUPE has launched a new website, www.saveourseniorshomes.com, which provides a downloadable petition form, a link to an online tool that helps people send their MLA a letter about the issue, and a connection to the campaign’s Facebook tool.
The union has also planned an advertising campaign in print and radio to support the online efforts and public events on the issue.
“It’s plain for anyone with an elderly relative to see that we don’t have enough long-term care beds –Premier Stelmach himself has said as much. That’s why we need to put a stop to this,” said Smith.
“Our senior citizens are our greatest generation. They shouldn’t be told to take a number when they have a medical need for long-term care. It makes one question Alberta Health Services’ commitment to public health care,” said Smith.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE – 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Director of Communications, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)
David Climenhaga, Director of Communications, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular phone)
Photo: AUPE Vice President Jason Heistad poses with Judy Leblanc Chapter Chair of Local 044/002 at a meeting last week on the closing of Valley Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home.
