Higher Learning | Stolen Time

The Urgent Lessons in Stolen Time

Stolen Time, Helene Klodawsky, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

“I would rather die from exhaustion than agree to send her to a home,” exclaimed my patient, Betty’s daughter, herself 70 years old and battling her own health issues. Ninety-nine-year-old Betty was under the loving care of her two devoted daughters and son-in-law, who were facing the heart-wrenching decision of whether she should be admitted to a nursing home for round-the-clock care. But the mere thought of such a move sent shivers down their spines.

Stories like those highlighted in Helene Klodawsky’s feature-length documentary Stolen Time—accounts of isolation, abuse and neglect—loomed large. With each passing day, Betty’s condition worsened, and the decision was ultimately made to admit her to hospice for her final days.

“The way we treat the most vulnerable seniors in our society is really a mark of how we are doing as a country,” asserts researcher Jackie Brown, who is interviewed in Stolen Time as she discusses some of the systemic negligence taking place in the corporate for-profit nursing-home industry. Based on this statement, Canadians have a very long way to go before we can say that we practise the equality, respect and consideration that we proclaim as core values in our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

An urgent and timely film

At a time of historic levels of care-worker burnout, rapid turnover of care-home staff, and high levels of absenteeism, Stolen Time is an urgent and timely film with rich potential for dialogue in faculties of law, public health, medicine and social work. By rising above the typical blame game and focusing on systemic issues, this film urges those working at a policy level to reflect, advocate and push for systemic transformation. Beyond that, Stolen Time invites everyone to shift fundamental attitudes towards the elderly and their role in society.

Having worked as a physician in family medicine and palliative care for over 20 years, often in care homes, I was less shocked than most to learn of the conditions of long-term care homes during the first wave of the pandemic, when 80 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in Canada occurred in these homes. What did shock those of us in the medical community was the level of systematic neglect, abuse and poor regulation that was exposed in the subsequent national inquiries. As health-care providers at the frontlines, it’s not that we haven’t witnessed instances of poor care, medical mishaps or even neglect, nor do we dismiss them, but the weighty responsibilities of our jobs confine us to firefighting the most urgent issues. This leaves those of us on the frontlines acutely aware of our inability to enact significant change at the macro level. No doubt these frustrating dynamics lead to feelings of shame, guilt and complicity in a problem that is far larger than any of us as individual care providers.

Stolen Time transcends the oft-trod narrative of blaming individuals in health care and asks critical questions of the broader system. This is a necessary film not only for those of us currently working in the field, but also for those newly entering their professions. I have often witnessed the enthusiasm of newly qualified nurses and care workers be stripped away as they encounter these challenging environments. The fundamental flaws in the for-profit system need to be addressed to reimagine and build a society and health-care system where everyone has access to quality care.

Initiating discussions

Students can identify the key actors at all levels, from the grassroots and civil society all the way up to government, funding agencies and regulatory bodies. They can also analyze the impact of various policies and activist movements. Professors in a variety of faculties can initiate discussions around questions such as, What systemic transformations are required that would lead to the kind of health-care system that is deeply supportive of all families, individuals and our aging population?

Stolen Time follows Melissa Miller, a lawyer who has made it her life’s mission to redress the injustice experienced by so many. The film shows how difficult it is to bring accountability to the large corporate institutions that run many of the care homes in Canada. Despite harrowing evidence of maltreatment, the legal teams and families find themselves struggling to bring about justice for their loved ones, having to navigate complex red tape and technicalities. Miller recognizes that only large class-action lawsuits or mass torts will be able to expose the systemic issues at the heart of the matter. This includes ethical considerations relating to the enormous profits made by these institutions, the financial conflicts of interest with shareholders and public pension funds, and the lack of effective regulatory oversight.

Lack of proper accountability doesn’t just risk the integrity of care-home industries, but also exposes local and provincial administrations to potential misuse of power. It’s clear that funding models need to be restructured, not only to ensure adequate resources for addressing staffing and care quality across the system, but also to critically reassess the for-profit care models. These models, which we saw clearly during the pandemic, correlate with diminished staffing, compromised care quality and higher rates of illness and death. As determined as Miller is, she herself recognizes what a formidable struggle it is to bring about meaningful change, and that often even the legal system itself has its hands tied and suffers from systemic constraints. Law students can also discuss the challenges of Miller’s work and the possibilities for systemic change in their own field. Those of us who are well established in our fields keep striving to help the younger generation remain optimistic and resilient as they seek to create justice, ensure ethical practices and improve the well-being of those they serve.

A cultural shift

Central to this complex challenge is a cultural shift. Part of this involves reconceiving the role of the elderly in our society. As Rai Reece, an advocate in this film, says, “I don’t know if we see long-term care facilities as being a seminal part of our environments. They are places that we send old people to die.” Her comments echo the prevailing notion that an individual’s worth is often tied to their productivity and financial contributions. By recognizing the elderly as integral to community life and acknowledging their important contributions through their wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom, we can foster reciprocal relationships that benefit society.

Another cultural shift the film highlights is a candid reassessment of the value we give to care work. Despite our vocal support for care workers to have fair compensation and a supportive, safe and healthy work environment, the persistent issues of gender inequality and the gender pay gap continue to cast a shadow over the true worth of care work, a labour predominantly shouldered by women. In addition to this, anti-racism advocate Rai Reece points out how “race is always in the room,” and that a significant proportion of women working in long-term care homes come from non-white backgrounds and contend with being treated as “second-class workers.” While public-awareness and education campaigns about the realities facing long-term care in Canada are cultivating a greater degree of respect, empathy and solidarity, these initiatives need to be extended to address the underlying issues of gender inequality and racial disparities across the sector.

Stolen Time certainly doesn’t succumb to despair. Through interviews with families, care workers and advocates, Klodawsky shows us the resilience of the human spirit to stand up for justice and speak out against oppression. This comes through in the courage of families advocating for their loved ones and standing up to large institutions, the dedication, care and sacrifice of exhausted care workers day after day, and the determination and zeal of Melissa Miller to bring justice to her clients.

The film reminded me of Betty, who, surrounded by her family and in the compassionate embrace of hospice staff, defied expectations by celebrating her 100th birthday eight months later, right there in hospice. Through discussion and teamwork, she then transitioned to a long-term care facility, where she continues to inspire everyone with her generous spirit, delightful humour and genuine love for all her caregivers. Her story is a testament not only to her own indomitable spirit and the steadfast advocacy of her daughters, but also to the compassionate, patient-centred care which is integral to the palliative-care approach. By placing the patient and family at the heart of every decision, the care provided by the hospice staff is a model for all of us to emulate, prioritizing dignity, compassion and meaningful support in health care.

Stolen Time serves as a powerful catalyst for change, demanding a collective response to overhaul Canada’s long-term care system. Legislation is a step, but a societal shift is imperative to ensure lasting transformation. As we confront the uncomfortable truths revealed in this documentary, we are moved to act, knowing that a compassionate society is accountable for the care of its most vulnerable members, and that we can all play a role in bringing about this change.

Until then, I’m looking forward to celebrating Betty’s 102nd birthday this April.

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