Hamilton residents in some congregate settings still waiting for COVID vaccines

Older residents in some congregate settings have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, although seniors in the community began receiving vaccines this week.

Residents at The Court at Rushdale, an all-inclusive retirement community" on Upper Sherman Avenue, have not yet received vaccines, raising concerns from a Hamilton woman whose parents live there.

Public health says all retirement homes in Hamilton, high risk and others," received first doses of the vaccine through the mobile clinic. Atria Retirement Canada, which operates The Court at Rushdale, and other facilities across Canada, says the Hamilton home wasn't part of the current rollout because it's not regulated under the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA).

Our community is an unlicensed, independent living community and does not yet fall within the vaccine rollout set by public health," says a statement attributed to president Kristy Grange. Our residents and staff are very enthusiastic about receiving the vaccine when it arrives at the Court at Rushdale."

Mary Wright, whose parents are in their 90s and live at the home, is concerned the rollout is creating a second class" of seniors. I don't think it should matter whether they're part of RHRA or not," she said. You're just going to leave all these elderly people hanging and twisting in the wind?"

Public health didn't confirm if only licensed homes had received vaccines or where unlicensed ones are in the line.

Vaccination rollout is based on the prioritization framework as determined by provincial guidelines," said an emailed statement from spokesperson James Berry. He added working groups are looking to ensure vaccines are distributed effectively and equitably."

The first phase in Ontario's vaccination plan prioritizes long-term-care homes, high-risk retirement homes, First Nations elder care homes, and includes alternative level of care patients headed into congregate-care settings, among others. The second priority includes adults 80 years and older, and workers, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate-care sites for seniors, such as assisted living. Adults receiving chronic home care are also included. Hamilton began vaccinating seniors age 85 years and up starting March 1.

Any facility that's defined as a retirement home" must be licensed under the Retirement Homes Act and is subject to regulation by the RHRA. But there are other seniors' homes that mash the criteria" for congregate care, such as supportive housing or apartment buildings, says McMaster University professor Andrew Costa.

Seniors living in congregate environments, whether licensed or unlicensed, definitely have greater priority for the vaccine," said the assistant professor in clinical epidemiology.

But he says it's hard to identify congregate-care sites if they're not licensed. Costa suggests consulting the list of home-care recipients to help. Even if fewer than half of the building's residents receive home care, he hopes the entire building would be prioritized for the vaccine.

Wright says her parents live in their own apartment but they and other residents receive home care through the LHIN. The building also offers congregate dining. She is particularly concerned about transparency and the conflicting reports" from public health and Atria.

At any time, (COVID-19) could come in," she said. This is unconscionable."

Maria Iqbal's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories focused on aging issues. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.