Alleged fraud at Trillium Care
“My gut instinct was telling me that there's something going on," Guitard said.
The first and last months of care were paid for, but the family began getting requests for additional payments for extra services, setting off alarm bells for Guitard.
The emails asking for money continued, and she kept records of her communications with the employee. She noticed that the email she was sending money to was a Gmail account, instead of the corporate Trillium Care email address.
Guitard’s family ended up losing roughly $6,000.
The OPP confirmed Guitard wasn’t the only family affected by the alleged scam, with over $50,000 potentially lost.
An Oxford OPP investigation is ongoing, and the Ontario Retirement Home Regulatory Authority is looking into the case.
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Invest NowProtecting your elderly loved ones
CTV News reached out to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and the organization responded in an email, saying:
“The Retirement Homes Act requires that a licensee provide at least 120 days' notice to residents and RHRA before a home is slated for closure. Licensees who choose not to follow this are in breach of the Act. Our priority is the protection of the home’s 18 residents and we continue to use all our regulatory powers to ensure their safety and well-being.”
The Retirement Homes Act also stipulates that the home should provide a transition plan to the Registrar before it closes its doors, which must include items such as alternate accommodation and care options, a list of health organizations in the area that may be impacted and a description of how the home will manage any money that residents have entrusted to them.
‘Who is taking care of your loved one?’
What happens when you need to make a complaint? Elderly individuals who need to file a complaint should do so with the RHRA.
The Ontario Health Coalition’s Peter Bergmanis told CTV News, “ They [privately-owned retirement homes] operate on a for-profit basis and they really aren’t under any other legislation other than the landlord-tenant act.”
When it comes to housing options for seniors, whether it's care in your own home, a retirement home or a long-term care facility, be sure to review all options, carefully.
Guitard’s message for carers in the same situation? “If you're dealing with a big move like this for a loved one, ask your questions and listen to your gut. Find out who everyone is beforehand. Who's the general manager? Who's doing the bookkeeping? Who is taking care of your loved one?"
Sources
1. CTV: Families scramble as retirement home at centre of fraud investigation announces closure (October 29, 2024)
2. Ontario.ca: Retirement Homes Act 2010
3. Ontario.ca: O. Reg 166/11 GENERAL
4. Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority: Making a complaint
5. Ontario.ca: Explore your car options
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