“The whistleblowers need to be protected”: Families speak out after alleged abuse at Oakview Place

Families of alleged abuse victims at Oakview Place are calling on the provincial government to make immediate changes to prevent incidents of abuse in nursing homes.

Back in June, alleged abuse allegations at Oakview Place in Winnipeg were made public, which involved 15 residents in the home. Gail Johnson’s 92-year-old mother, was one of them.

“We know of one incident so far between February and June. Now, we are pretty certain that it probably went on a lot earlier than February, just based on my mom’s behaviour and the changes she went through,” explained Johnson.

“The whistleblowers need to be protected. If it wasn’t for them coming forward, we would have never known what happened.”

Dianna Klassen’s father David Middleton lived in Oakview Place for four years before his passing on January 10. He was in a wheelchair, was unable to feed himself and was living in a private room at the home, which she says contributed to alleged abuse going unchecked.

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• Claims of abuse at Oakview Place care home detailed by family
• Two employees accused of abuse at Extendicare Oakview Place care home

“This is a man who was not able to defend himself and was taken advantage of. His personality changed, like Gail’s mom. He became very aggressive; he didn’t want people touching him,” explained Klassen.

Klassen and her family were notified on Monday, June 20 about the alleged abuse – the day after they laid their father to rest on Father’s Day.

“These are our elders. They are the people that raised us and loved us and who have supported us. We were there trying to support them, only to find out after the fact that they were suffering horrific abuse and it’s incredibly sad that it happened.”

Klassen says the alleged abusers and Extendicare need to be held accountable.

“It’s just wrong and it needs to be corrected and whatever measures need to be put into place, whether it is legislation, it has to happen.”

Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont is now calling on the PC government to immediately review Oakview Place’s licence and wants the government to implement whistleblower protection to encourage others to come forward.

“When it comes to accountability, it’s the province that is responsible. It’s the provincial government that regulates these homes. They decide whether these homes can run, they say whether it is running properly. They make the decision. The government makes the decision whether the homes stay open or closed.”

CityNews reached out to the provincial government but have not heard back at this time.

“If anyone knows any information about what’s happened to my mom, or any other residents who are alleged victims, please come forward. We want to make sure that you are protected, and you can feel right about coming forward,” said Johnson.