Calgary Man with Multiple Sclerosis Faces Sudden Home Care Reduction
Philip Ash, a Calgary resident battling advanced multiple sclerosis, experienced a shocking reduction in his essential home care services earlier this month. Without any prior notice or explanation, his daily visits from CBI Health were abruptly cut from four to two, leaving him without critical assistance for meals, medication, and personal care.
Unexpected Service Disruption
Ash, who has been receiving four daily home care visits for the past six years to maintain his independence, first noticed something was wrong on Thursday, February 5th. His regular morning caregiver failed to appear, prompting a supervisor to step in temporarily. According to Scott D'Orsay, Ash's friend and advocate, the supervisor gave no indication of any problems during that visit.
"He said there was no problems. He didn't say anything to me about any issues or problems or anything—they basically didn't talk," D'Orsay recounted.
Abrupt Cancellation and Lack of Communication
The situation escalated dramatically the following morning when D'Orsay received a call from CBI Health informing him that Ash's services would be cancelled entirely. Despite D'Orsay's protests that he was merely a friend without authority to make decisions on Ash's behalf, and his suggestion to delay any action until proper meetings could be arranged, the agency proceeded with service reductions.
"I said, 'Well, that's got nothing to do with me. I'm nobody, I'm just his friend,'" D'Orsay explained. "You got to call him and have his worker there and everything."
Although complete cancellation was avoided, Ash's lunch and dinner visits were immediately terminated, leaving him with only morning and evening assistance. This meant he missed two meals, two rounds of medication, and two diaper changes daily. D'Orsay stepped in to provide emergency care during this critical period.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Concerns
After several days of reduced care, Ash and D'Orsay finally secured a meeting with CBI Health on Wednesday, February 11th. While the agency reinstated the four daily visits, they provided no explanation for the initial service reduction and replaced some of Ash's familiar caregivers with new workers unfamiliar with his specific needs and routines.
"Nobody has communicated with Phil, and to this day, he still doesn't know," D'Orsay revealed. "He stopped the meeting and said, 'Why am I only getting medication twice a day when it's supposed to be four times a day?'"
The agency cited an unspecified complaint as justification for the changes but refused to provide details or evidence. This lack of transparency has left Ash and his supporters deeply concerned about the stability of his care arrangement and his ability to continue living independently.
Broader Implications for Home Care Recipients
This incident highlights significant vulnerabilities in home care systems, particularly for individuals with progressive conditions like multiple sclerosis. The sudden reduction of essential services without proper notice or due process raises serious questions about:
- Patient rights and advocacy in home care settings
- Communication protocols between care agencies and clients
- Procedures for addressing complaints while maintaining essential services
- The impact of caregiver changes on continuity of care
D'Orsay expressed particular concern that these service reductions could force Ash into assisted living facilities sooner than necessary, fundamentally altering his quality of life and independence. The case underscores the critical importance of transparent communication and proper procedures in home care delivery, especially for vulnerable populations requiring consistent, reliable support.
