‘I don’t want her to die alone’: Family fears grow as Norovirus outbreak closes care home

Janet Flemming had planned to visit her 92-year-old mom at Ocean View Care Home on Mother’s Day, but instead, she received a call that left her feeling worried and disappointed.

“As of Wednesday, they’ve closed Ocean View completely,” says Flemming.

She explains that an outbreak of norovirus prompted the closure and that families were notified they were no longer allowed inside.

Since long-term care workers have been on strike, families across Nova Scotia have been concerned about whether their loved ones in care homes are receiving proper support. Now, with an outbreak like norovirus, Flemming says she worries that already strained staff won’t have the capacity to care for sick residents.

Flemming says she received notification on Friday that four additional units were being closed off as the virus spread.

“One of those units is where my mom is,” she says. “I got a call yesterday saying that at noon she started showing symptoms and that we’re unable to go check on her. And with their short staff, you know, that’s more work for them with everybody ill.”

Flemming explains that since the strike began on April 13, she has seen staff take on roles outside their usual duties, often working extra to ensure residents are cared for. However, she had hoped the home would have the virus under control by now and worries the situation may be worsening.

“If my mom just got sick yesterday, there’s still people getting sick. They said the symptoms usually last for three days, so I don’t think they’re opening anytime soon.”

Flemming’s mom, Freda McCormick, has dementia, and given her age and now a virus, Flemming says she’s especially worried about not being able to visit—particularly on Mother’s Day weekend.

“It’s disappointing and it does concern me. If she gets worse, I don’t want her to die alone. [I’m afraid] we’ll just get a call. I don’t want that to happen, we would want to be there with her.”