CHARLOTTETOWN — A report on the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes in Prince Edward Island found that the pandemic severely restricted the lives of residents, including by cutting them off from relationships that mattered.

The 60-page report by an external review panel appointed by the government issued 17 recommendations to improve care for residents.

It says long-term care homes were not sufficiently prepared for a pandemic and the COVID-19 crisis led to a deterioration of the residents’ quality of life.

The report found that staff were forced to focus on infection control procedures rather than on ensuring residents had a suitable living environment. 

The province has about 1,100 people in publicly and privately managed long-term care homes. 

The recommendations include bringing the public and private long-term care homes under a single legislative act to ensure greater accountability and transparency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2023.

The Canadian Press