B.C.’s Seniors Advocate is launching a province-wide survey to gauge the impact that restrictions on care homes visits have had on people and their families.

Isobel Mackenzie wants people to share what their experiences in care homes were before the pandemic and how things have been impacted over the past several months.

“I want to hear what the family members and the residents think about these visits,” she said. “It is their life, it s their visits, and they have a voice in saying what this is like for them and what they think it should be.”

“My job is to provide the platform for that voice to be heard and that is what this survey is doing and this is going to enable me to ensure that any recommendation I make is informed by the wishes and the voice of the people impacted.”

Mackenzie adds the restrictions – which were necessary to keep seniors safe – have had a profound impact on residents as many of them would see their families every day before the pandemic.

“Yes, we want to keep people safe from COVID-19. But what are we keeping them safe for, if it is not to enjoy the rest of their life?” she added. “And for some, their only enjoyment is the time they can spend with their loved ones.”

According to data from the province, there have been 46 long term care homes and assisted living facilities that have experienced a COVID-19 outbreak since March 7, which is when the outbreak at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver, which was the site of the first recorded COVID-19 death in Canada.

Since then, there were 355 residents and 233 staff members who were infected with COVID-19, and another 123 residents have died of the virus.

The survey will run until September 30 and it can be completed online, over the phone, or mailed in.

B.C. eased some restrictions on care home visits at the end of June, and Health Minister Adrian Dix says it is reviewing how visits went in July to see if restrictions can be eased further.