Fred Sandeski wins battle to be admitted to long-term care

After months of not only battling with his health issues, but also the health authority and provincial government, Fred Sandeski has finally been approved for a spot in long-term care in Weyburn.

Sandeski said this was his third application – though his doctors had described his illness as terminal, Sandeski had previously he’d been told he wasn’t sick enough to qualify for the government-paid-for care.

He was able to stay free of charge for one month while his wife and caregiver, Teresa, recovered from surgery, but after that, there was a cost. Sandeski said it was about $1,400 a month. Eventually, Sandeski and his wife had to go through an involuntary separation to be able to afford his care, and for Teresa to have enough to live on at home.

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In this last application, Sandeski said he went through the ombudsman and insisted on an unbiased assessment.

“When it was done at the special care home, they were just taking down the notes that were there without taking into consideration how much of a struggle it was to move around,” he explained.

But this last assessment was done by home care at his home, and Sandeski thinks that’s what made the difference.

He moves into the Weyburn Special Care Home on Sunday. The couple said it’s a relief in one way, but the separation will be difficult.

Sandeski said it’s likely the only reason he was able to get this victory was the knowledge and contacts he has from running a non-profit for 20 years – he founded the Community Low Income Centre in Weyburn.

“Many of our seniors wouldn’t have knowledge of the areas that I would have access to – they don’t have any way of advocating for themselves, and they’re just following the system,” he explained.

In 2021, Fred Sandeski received the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for his founding and work with the Community Low Income Centre in Weyburn. (Photo courtesy Discover Weyburn)

So, Sandeski and his wife said their work isn’t over. They’re going to continue working to change the system so other seniors won’t run into such problems – he said the assessment system is too cut and dry, and too many seniors are falling through the cracks.

“They’re just being sent home to die on their own, and that’s just scary, that’s really, really dumb,” said Sandeski.

The couple said they’re working with the Sask. NDP on a petition to change the assessment system for care, and want to get as many signatures as possible.

“Because I really believe that (for) our Sask. Party to listen, the more signatures on there, then the stronger they’re going to realize how much change is actually needed,” said Sandeski.