I have followed André for years and have respected his writing. I honestly could not sleep last night for worry about how many people will read this and think it's a good idea to remove loved ones from their care homes during a global pandemic. A thread. https://twitter.com/picardonhealth/status/1245861047904260096

1. How are you going to get access to your loved one? Unless you and every single person in your houseful has tested negative for #coronavirus , you may be putting them and the residents/care partners of their current home at risk.

2. Who is going to help you get your loved one ready? Who is going to pack their bag, give you their medication, explain how to help you provide nourishment, clean them, help them to the washroom? What staff member would have time for this right now?

3. How are you going to get them? LTC homes are locked down. You should NOT be going in. So are you really asking staff to take time to get your mum/aunt ready to leave, bring them to the door, and then release them to you?

4. Does your loved one have a POA? Is it you? Are you even allowed to make this decision for them? Have you asked THEM what they want to do?

5. Is your loved one living with dementia? Are you trained to care for them should they exhibit personal expressions? Do you realize how terrifying it might be for them to move?

6. Are you bringing them back to their old home with the assumption that they will recognize the space? Is the home accessible?

7. What is your current home life like? Are you caring for children/attempting to work from home? How are you going to add in full-time care for a potentially medically complex loved one into the mix. Do you have the time to be with them all day?

8. How are you going to get their medications/ensure that they take them properly/on time/with food/drink as need be? Are you going to go to the pharmacy in person? Up to 50% of people may be asymptomatic carriers of #coronavirus. What if you bring it home to your loved one?

I mean, I could go on and on. Read the comments on your own article @picardonhealth and see how scared people already are. The last thing they need is to feel guilt and shame over their loved ones being in care homes and not being able to bring them home.

@globeandmail why did your columnist consult only *one* medical doctor for this article. This is irresponsible journalism.

At a time like this what we really need to do is ensure that care partners in LTC have the supports they need to protect residents and themselves. I'm sure this article will prompt hundreds of terrified phone calls from family members that will take precious time to answer.