Food Complaint Leads to Changes at Care Facility
Prince George, B.C. – Concerns over the quality of food served at a Prince George care facility has forced management there to take action.
Ed Valenta, whose wife Annie Rae is in long term care at Simon Fraser Lodge, went public with his concerns at a public health forum hosted by the NDP Monday night.
Green beans and an omelette – photo submitted
“The food is terrible. It’s repetitive, it doesn’t have a good presentation, a lot of the soups they have are over spiced.”
He says other residents don’t seem to care much for what’s on offer either.
“I’ve noticed when I’m there, especially after meal time, I watch what they’re throwing in the garbage and it’s probably 50 percent of the stuff they put out,” says Valenta. “Some days it’s not quite so bad but if they put decent stuff out, the people would eat it and they wouldn’t have so much to throw away.”
He says it’s been “very discouraging” for his wife and he did take his complaint to management.
Liz Catarino, general manager of the facility, acknowledges concerns have been raised and notes changes have been made.
“In the recent past, there have been concerns about food quality and presentation and we shared these concerns. As a result, we formally announced some significant changes and improvements to our Dining Service over 2 weeks ago and we are continuing to actively manage and evaluate the situation.”
In addition, she says they “welcome constructive feedback” and “openly encourage our residents and families to share any concerns.”
Catarino also notes they take “all complaints very seriously” and they “will be engaging a focus group to help us with monitoring and ensuring ongoing quality is delivered.”
Saira Husain, corporate communications manager for Marquise Hospitality, a member of Compass Group Canada released the following statement in response to the complaint:
“At Marquise Hospitality, we are extremely proud of our long history in offering high quality food to the residents at Simon Fraser Lodge. The resident experience is our top priority that includes providing the standard of excellence they expect and deserve.
We were made aware about a resident complaint and we have taken steps to ensure our staff follow the quality standards we have in place. We have already made some changes with positive feedback.
We value and encourage all residents to provide immediate feedback about their food service experience by speaking directly to our friendly staff or by utilizing the suggestion boxes available throughout the facility. We also conduct monthly patient satisfaction surveys to ensure we are meeting our high quality standards. We use this information for continuous quality improvement.”
Despite the promises though, Valenta isn’t convinced yet. “Well I heard about it (changes) and we’re hoping there’s going to be a change but we don’t know that for sure.”
Comments
Hope you get action Mr. Valenta.. Deplorable what they call food.
Food aside, most care homes in the PG are disgusting in the way they treat the elderly. Need to use the bathroom? Ring your bell, they will get to you when they feel necessary, not you. Need clean clothes? They will get to that right after they are finished lunch. They are all under-staffed, and the majority of the workers do care… but the rest of them need a kick in the butt.
This is just plain wrong, you import pre made food from the coast for the most vulnerable people our seniors on the other hand those in jail get fresh cooked meals. My understanding is they have a very good Kitchen in this place. Why not prepare descent meals and provide the funds to make it happen. Wonder how many from Interior health would chow down on this crap. They having the money its about priorities not who provides this crap at the lowest cost.
Another questions just what is this fine dish ? chicken ? pork chop ? fish ? Ham ?
“Wonder how many from Interior health would chow down on this crap.”
It would be Northern Health. Interior Health includes Williams Lake and much of the Okanagan.
Ask Northern Health why they switched to a food system, involving pre-made food from a large company, instead of using their food service workers to cook for the elderly. All in the name of saving a dollar.
The “fine” dish is described as green beans and an omelet. well charred from the looks of it. Maybe it is fluffy inside and you peel outside off.
We challenge the complainant to commit to understand all phases of complex care, such as SFL does, of which food is one IMPORTANT aspect. One little brownish omelet does not quantify the immense commitment by Simon Fraser Lodge to make & serve +/-150 people 3 meals and/or snacks 365 days per year in a way which encourages the health of the residents including hydration, social, nutritive. Just as each of us is a beautiful snowflake on the path of life, so are the various states of health in long term care; each one of us is composed of various tastes and abilities to chew and swallow. The complainant is a little small meal minded in my view. First, let any one of us nourish the estimated number of individual preferences at this site…it will total +/- 16,425 meals/snacks per year. I appreciate complainant is showing his form of “care” but I feel he is off by a country meter. Our family member relishes pretty well everything he is served at Simon Fraser including fresh strawberries, caesar salad, a lovely chicken stew, nice fruit cocktail, broccoli, corn, salmon sandwich, scalloped potatoes to name a few. We appreciate and are happy with the food and the care which goes into trying to please everyone. Nan
FYI, Simon Fraser Lodge is not owned or operated, nor has it ever been owned or operated by Northern Health. It is owned and operated by a “For Profit” company called the Trellis Buron Group.
The only connection to Northern Health is by way of a service contract to provide a certain number of beds at a specified price for Northern Health clients.
In light of the above, perhaps a certain amount of the vitriol in the previous comments is directed at the wrong organisation!
I do know that Simon Fraser isn’t operated by Northern Health but have you seen the food that the complex care facilities serve? Same kind of quality as Simon Fraser’s food service. Absolute crap.
Driday: I guess if we are all snowflakes on the path of life, it must be the fortunate ones who are not on the path, to be trodden down or shovelled aside.
I have worked in several of the nursing homes in town as a trade contractor, and would commend most of the staff members I have encountered in their workplace. All of the places I have been in were clean, and safe for the residents. It has to be a tall order to please everyone in the meal department, 3 times a day, every day of the year, plus entertain and maintain them as well. We are all individuals, with our own unique perspective, wants, and needs.
However, it is obvious that there is never enough staff, and I think that it is a shame that our government can not seem to provide funding to ensure that there are always adequate staffing levels in senior citizens facilities.
metalman.
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