Smitherman Considers Wearing Diaper; Unionists Lobby for More Care for Seniors

By Jordana Huber, National Post

February 28, 2008

Canada

Mr. Smitherman is considering wearing something like this adult diaper to get 'perspective.' 

Ontario's Health Minister says he cannot rely on clinical data to decide whether adult diapers are adequate for seniors living in nursing homes, and says he is "seriously considering" trying one out for a day to gain more perspective.

George Smitherman said he wants to "better understand the patient experience" by donning the incontinence diaper after complaints from nursing home staff about residents being forced to wear soiled diapers for much of the day because there are not enough caregivers to change them.

The Minister said there has been an "evolution" in incontinence products in recent years that has resulted in larger-capacity diapers.

But he said in light of the concerns raised, he was trying to "figure out" whether that was a good thing.

"Is a product that offers greater absorption capability an appropriate product?" Mr. Smitherman asked. "Or is that a front for some diminishment of care? We certainly see it as the former."

He said the incontinence diapers were more expensive, but said he believed they were "implemented with good intent."

But he said he would give the matter "serious contemplation."

The unionized caregivers, who are calling for a minimum 3.5 hours of care each day for residents, said the Minister does not need to put on a diaper to know the answer.

Staging a demonstration at Queen's Park of a diaper's capacity -- by pouring four 500-ml bottles of water into it -- they said the "dignity" of seniors is being stripped as they languish in the soiled products.

Parents would never seek out a diaper that would make an infant sit for extra hours, they said.

"The issue isn't how much a diaper holds," said Wayne Samuelson, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour. "The issue is: Do you have enough people to make sure you can change them?"

NDP leader Howard Hampton said Mr. Smitherman was taking a "flippant approach" to what is a "really serious issue." Progressive Conservative leader John Tory said the Minister's response was a "disgrace" and "some kind of a sideshow he seems determined to put on."

But Premier Dalton McGuinty said he recognized the seriousness of the diaper issue, having once worked as an orderly changing diapers for seniors in care.

"I know whereof I speak when it comes to this particular kind of issue," Mr. McGuinty said.

The Premier was noncommittal on whether he would provide funding for 3.5 hours -- up from the current nearly three hours.

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