About two months ago my brother entered a hospital facility in Victoria, as he was suffering with COVID. Although my brother has gotten over his COVID, during his hospital stay the Lewy body dementia he had already been diagnosed with turned into delirium. He has remained in the hospital as a result and is waiting for long-term care.

Suggestions were made to my ailing sister-in-law that she take him home. By this time a geriatric specialist assessed my brother and said he is in the last stages of dementia and in need of long-term care. Hospital staff continued to pressure my sister-in-law to take him home. After a brief stay at home accompanied by my brother's case worker, an occupational therapist assessed him in his home and had him return to the hospital as they could see being at home was not an option.

My brother is now in a lengthy wait for long-term care, in a facility with no enrichment program for the residents. He will just lay in bed and wait for two or three years. He is not the only one. Thousands of people in our province are waiting for long-term care in very similar situations either at home (with a loved one who cannot provide adequate care) or in a hospital situation.

I would advise all citizens of our province who are approaching old age or have loved ones in the elderly age group to read the recent Senior's Advocate Report which was released to the public in December 2024.

I have written letters to Premier David Eby, the health minister, B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad and B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau more than once. I have not received a response from any of them. I think my letters were heart-wrenching but there was no response. Elderly citizens of our province are invisible.

Anne Hunter

Westbank