Protecting the celiac community’s most vulnerable.
Todd, a senior citizen, hangs up his phone and covers his face with wrinkled hands. “Now what am I going to do?” he worries. His wife of many years looks at him, tears in her eyes. Because of his age-related conditions and needs, it’s time Todd moved to a seniors’ home. But, you see, Todd has celiac disease, and he can’t find one that can meet his specific needs for safely prepared, gluten-free food. So, he gets turned away, time after time.
Dan had a medical procedure unrelated to celiac in his local hospital but couldn’t get proper food service until the 3rd day. Luckily, he could get down to the cafeteria, but there wasn’t much. He tried to tell the food server, but they couldn’t help. He then spoke to his nurse in charge, and it was put on his chart, but they got it wrong, as the next day he was given a bran muffin!
For people with celiac disease, one of the greatest challenges is losing control over our own food.
Did you know?
On any given day, there are an estimated 2,000 celiac patients* living in seniors/long-term care residences. For many, eating is something they can’t look forward to – they’re filled with fear! For the elderly, self-advocacy is difficult and, in some cases, not even possible.
In 2023-24, there were more than 3 million inpatient hospitalizations across Canada.** With about 1% of Canadians living with celiac disease, that would mean roughly 30,000 hospital visits where the vast majority did not have access to safe, gluten-free food. A scary thought, isn’t it?
Tragically, there are no overarching federal standards in Canada that direct hospitals, long-term care homes, or other care facilities on how to store, prepare, and serve gluten-free food options—unlike in some other countries, where gluten-free meals are treated as a right for people with celiac disease.
We can’t ignore the most vulnerable among us.
What's the Answer?
Here at Celiac Canada, we believe Canadians living with celiac disease have every right to receive safely prepared, gluten-free food in all government-supported healthcare facilities. Food is our medicine!
So, you have my commitment that, until we have a cure for celiac disease, we will:
- Advocate to provincial and federal governments on the need for regulations on gluten-free food in healthcare facilities.
- Work to increase awareness and respect for the dietary requirements of our community.
- Share our food service resources with care facilities and other health institutions.
- Provide education for older adults and their families to help them navigate the healthcare system to ensure their rights and needs are understood and respected.
- Work with food manufacturers to help expand their gluten-free products into care facilities.
Will you give a few dollars – one time or even better each month – to help protect our celiac community’s most vulnerable?
Together we can right the wrong and help our most vulnerable celiac community members get the safely prepared gluten-free food they require.
*There are around 200,000 older adults or people with significant ongoing care needs living in long-term care (LTC) homes across Canada. Since approximately 1% of Canadians have celiac disease, that equates to approximately 2,000 celiac residents in seniors/LTC homes at any given time. www.cihi.ca/en/how-many-long-term-care-beds-are-there-in-canada
**In 2023–24, there were 3.05 million acute inpatient hospitalizations in Canada with an average length of stay of 7.3 days. www.cihi.ca/en/hospital-stays-in-canada-2023-2024
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