Our Beginning
The Coalition for Nursing Home Residents’ Rights was officially
established in March 14, 2004. This
followed an initial meeting held in February to determine whether forming a
Coalition would meet the needs of individuals and/or groups to effect change in
nursing home policies to stop the practice of seizing assets to pay for nursing
home daily fees.
In August 2003 three women
from the Greater Moncton area, Elizabeth Martin, Bonnie Hayward, and Rachel
Bourgeois, accompanied MLA Mike Murphy to the NB Legislature to press upon the
government to make the change.
Many letters to the editor were
written by various individuals including Elizabeth Martin, Rachel Bourgeois,
Bonnie Hayward, Veronica Ratchford, Sandra McNeilly, Wayne Harrigan and Cecile
Cassista calling upon the government to address the injustice of nursing care
daily fees policy.
A teleconference called between
Esmonde Barry, David Owen, Fred Roussel and others led to a meeting on February
14, 2004, in Fredericton. David Owen was
instrumental in bringing the Moncton delegation together since he was the
leader of the Action Committee in the Greater Moncton area. The Coalition grew quickly and soon
represented more than fifty seniors’ groups and over 100,000 New
Brunswickers. All participants for this
non-partisan organization are volunteers; there has never been government
funding for their work. The group
worked tirelessly and they accomplished success in 2006.
The Coalition work continues to effect
policy change for the aging population.
Our
Beginning
Coalition
for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights
Working Group - Founders of the Coalition
Organizing meetings February 14, 2004 and
March 14, 2004 (Fredericton)
Arséne Melanson Gloria
Mclvleen Pat Hay
Aurele Ferlatte Ian Grant Paul
Yung
Barb Harrigan Ivan Court Reg
MacDonald
Bev Cook Jean
Driscoll Richard
Anderson
Bill Farren John
Brander Ron
Melvin
Bruce Benton Kathleen Cruttenden Roxie
Whitman
Cecile
Cassista Leo
Cassista Sandra
McNeilly
Chet Randall Leo
Doucet Sheila Owen
David Aird Leona Gallant Veronica
Ratchford
David Owen Loretta Naisse
Wayne Harrigan
Dennis Driscoll Madeline Gaudet Wendell Fulton
Dr. Gordon Higgins Mavis Hurley
Eileen Malone Mike Brown
Elizabeth
Martin Maureen
Barry
Esmonde
Barry Pat
Goobie
Frank Jefferies Philip
Fran
Fred Roussel Patricia
Melanson
When the
Coalition was first formed it was known as
“Coalition for Nursing Home Rights” “Standing Up for You”
·
It later changed
its name to include Coalition for Nursing Home Residents’
Rights and later incorporated ” Seniors”
·
It
now retains the name “Coalition for
Seniors and Nursing Home Residents” Rights”
“Standing Up for You”
·
Seven
(7) board members were elected March 14, 2004.
·
In
2005, with increasing interest, the Coalition invited supporting organizations
to appoint a representative which expanded the board to its current number of
14 volunteers.