Nearly half of Quebec’s senior residences catering to individuals at risk of wandering lack the required security measures, according to information obtained by Radio-Canada. The recent tragic incident involving the death of an 88-year-old woman outside a seniors’ residence in Laval, Quebec, has brought into question the adherence to regulations introduced by the Health Ministry in 2022.
Under Article 24 of the seniors’ residences certification regulation, operators of category 3 and 4 residences are mandated to install security devices that alert staff when residents prone to wandering leave the premises unsupervised. Category 3 residences cater to semi-independent seniors with limited care services, while category 4 residences accommodate seniors with moderate to severe autonomy loss, necessitating personal assistance and nursing care.
Despite the deadline set for July 2025 for implementing security systems in certain residences, over 550 private senior residences in Quebec have yet to comply with the regulations. Among these, 512 category 3 residences are compliant, while 520 are not. In category 4 residences, 289 have installed security devices, while 56 have not.
The Regroupement québécois des résidences pour aînés (RQRA), representing seniors’ residences, expressed little surprise at the statistics. Spokesperson Hans Brouillette highlighted the financial constraints faced by many residences, indicating that enforcing Article 24 abruptly could lead to challenges similar to the issues encountered with sprinkler regulations.
Pierre Lynch, president of an advocacy group for Quebec senior rights, emphasized the urgency of the situation as the aging population and cognitive issues rise. Lynch proposed the adoption of technologies such as tracking chips in clothing or footwear to trigger door locks, or simpler solutions like door buzzers to alert staff of residents attempting to leave.
Costing approximately $5,000 per door, anti-wandering systems are a significant investment for residences, as stated by telecommunications consultant Claude Dolembreux. Seniors Minister Sonia Bélanger acknowledged the delay in compliance by category 3 residences and affirmed that each case is being reviewed with the Health Ministry.
The unfortunate incident in Laval reflects a recurring concern, with previous cases highlighting the risks faced by seniors due to inadequate security measures. The necessity for closer oversight of certification regulations was emphasized by Coroner Denise McManiman, urging government authorities to ensure proper implementation and effectiveness of the existing regulations.