Alberta opposition parties call for investigation into deaths of former Michener Centre residents

Alberta’s opposition parties are coming out in unison to call for a halt to the Michener Centre closing.

New Democrat David Eggen said reports suggest that five of 41 people who have been transferred out of the aging facility in Red Deer in recent months have died.

Residents of the Michener Centre are being moved to community group homes as part of a government plan to close much of the facility to save money.

No one is blaming the government for the deaths, but Liberal David Swann says such transfers must stop until there is a proper investigation.

Wildrose human services critic Kerry Towle said the move is putting undue stress on residents who live there, many of whom are severely disabled.

She said premier Dave Hancock needs to halt the movement of residents immediately.

Towle called the deaths tragic and called their experience of being ripped from their home traumatic.

“Shuffling around highly fragile individuals has created untold horror stories and declining health outcomes for residents,” she said.

Diane Esslinger’s brother Larry moved in when he was just two years old and has lived in the centre for 50 years.

She explained she refuses to engage anyone in a conversation about when he’ll move out.

“Larry’s home is at Michener and he needs to remain at Michener,” she said. “Michener Centre needs to remain open for the people who currently live there and those who have left and who wish to return need to have the option to return.”

She said she believes the only reason he’s still alive is because of the care he gets at Michener.

“It is the only home that he knows, he knows that he’s loved, I know that he’s loved, he loves those people, he’s happy and that’s why he thrives there,” she stated.

Esslinger added she’s been told Larry needs to be moved out by December.