Residents ‘melting’ in care home: daughter

Residents at Brandon’s Fairview Personal Care Home are “literally melting” due to the stifling heat inside the facility, the daughter of one of them says.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she feared reprisal to her parent, says her pleas to Prairie Mountain Health, which operates the facility, haven’t been responded to.

“I called Prairie Mountain Health myself last year and (was told), ‘We’ll look into it.’ They might look into it, but they seem to ride it out till the heat cools down, and then, ‘Oh, we made it through another year.’ Like it’s awful,” the woman said.

She said she’s surprised more people aren’t complaining, as “people are literally melting.”

“I know residents are removing their clothing, trying to escape the heat. They crawl out of bed all night long … They’re trying to cool down. Like they can’t sleep.”

She said a solution needs to be found, as residents are paying to live at the home.

“They have to update. They have to do something to pass the cool air around. I guess if you could get in there yourself, you would be overwhelmed. It’s like a slap,” she said.

“It’s overwhelmingly hot.”

The entire situation, she said, is “unacceptable.”

“It’s the same thing year after year after year, and you know it’s coming every June, July, August. And nothing’s done,” she said.

She’s also concerned for the residents who don’t understand what is happening.

Similar concerns were raised last year about Dinsdale Personal Care Home after residents were forced to eat meals in their rooms as the main dining room was too hot.

PMH in July 2025 said an air-conditioning unit for that facility had been ordered as the existing unit wasn’t functioning correctly.

Portable cooling units were installed on the main floor to maintain acceptable temperatures, a spokesperson for the health region said at the time.

This May, PMH said the first-floor HVAC system won’t be installed until the fall, after delays impacted the project’s timeline.

“PMH understands how important a comfortable and safe environment is for residents, families, and staff — especially during periods of extreme heat,” the health agency said in May about the Dinsdale home.

“The well-being of our residents and staff is our top priority, and we are committed to both immediate measures and the long-term solution to address this issue.”

Prairie Mountain Health didn’t respond to multiple questions sent on Thursday about the Fairview care home and what changes might be in the works.

» alambert@brandonsun.com