Watson Lake's mayor says anything is welcome when it comes to long-term care options in town

The mayor of Watson Lake says his town wants any long-term care beds it can get, and he's urging the Yukon's health minister to listen to what she's hearing about long-term care in his community.

Earlier this month, CBC News reported that a couple in their 90s, married 75 years, are forced to live apart because there are no long-term care options available in Watson Lake.

"Ev and Lloyd Kostiuck have been a part of our community for the entirety of their lives," said Mayor Chris Irvin. "Nobody wants to be separated at this point in their life after spending that much time together, and it truly is heartbreaking."

The Yukon government was planning to put two long-term care beds in the Watson Lake Hospital, but put the plan on pause after consulting with the municipality.

Watson Lake Mayor Chris Irvin is calling for anything that will improve long-term care in his community. (Submitted by Chris Irvin)

Late last year, Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said she was told it was not what the town wanted to pursue.

This week, Irvin said that's not exactly true.

"That wasn't the comment from the municipality," he said. "That might have been misconstrued from comments throughout the community. I think the impression I got from the community was that the two beds that were suggested to be used at the hospital were insufficient ... not that we didn't want them."

"It's just not the solution our community was looking for."

Last week, after Evelyn and Lloyd Kostiuck's story came to light, McPhee said her government was still exploring the possibility of a long-term care facility in Watson Lake.

She added that a community needs assessment is happening in the town to determine the best approach for long-term care.

'We'll take anything we can get'

Watson Lake has a lot of seniors living there, Irvin said.

He said stories of families being split apart because a member requires care that isn't available in town aren't new.

A bed at the Watson Lake hospital. The room was refurbished to accommodate patients requiring long-term care before the territorial government put the plan on pause. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)

He added the attention given to the Kostiuck family's situation is just bringing the issue back to light.

"Twenty-five per cent of our senior citizenship in Watson Lake is going to face a very similar situation, very soon," he said.

"If you speak with many of the local First Nations, you'll hear very similar stories and that it's heartbreaking when you know that a loved one is at the end of life and they have to be taken away to pass in a different location. It's not fair."

Irvin said he is glad to hear the government said there are opportunities in rural communities to have designated spaces to provide long-term care. He is looking forward to learning more about what that actually means in detail.

"I know that at (the Yukon government), these decisions don't come easy," he said. "Budgets have their constraints, but the priority needs to be recognized. I think, as you can see, at this point we'll take anything we can get."

Irvin said McPhee has contacted him to say she would like to discuss the issue further.

First Nation feels left out 

Liard First Nation Chief Stephen Charlie said two beds would be great, but it's not enough.

"Long-term care in Watson Lake basically doesn't exist," Charlie said. "It's numerous families that this has occurred to because there's no facility."

He also said the First Nation hasn't been directly consulted on the issue. He said they feel left out of the process, and if they had been included — they'd say more beds and services were needed. He also said a long-term care facility should be a priority item for Watson Lake.

"I think with an aging population, we should be getting more support."

He said he's seen some positive changes in discussion with Yukon government, but more needs to be done.

"We need to be taken seriously and be included in these discussions," he said.