91-year-old resident froze to death outside Calgary care home

Police confirmed that they received a call about a missing resident at Extendicare Cedars Villa, at 3300 8th Ave. S.W., at 4:45 am on Monday.

Staff say they had last seen the 91-year-old resident at 1:15 am, but noticed she was missing at 3:30 am. Police were only notified an hour later.

Police found the woman shortly after being called, she then received help from EMS crews for cold exposure. She was exposed to temperature of -16 C with snow.

Police say the woman later died. They are now investigating and working with Extendicare to determine what happened.

"This is a difficult time for the resident’s family and our entire community and we’re working to support them as best we can."

The chair of the Elder Advocates of Alberta Society, Ruth Adria, said she was concerned to learn about the tragedy, and says that the incident should have been proactively disclosed by police.

"Elder care facilities . . . have a duty of care to provide safe, ethical nursing care and other care," Adria said. "People are totally vulnerable and totally dependent. Often, they have no ability to advocate for themselves, and they’re physically frail."

She also said that providers of long term care have to be held accountable for incidents caused by negligence. The Long-term care home has also been dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. So far the facility has fifteen cases which have resulted. in two deaths.