Caregiver in B.C. woman’s starvation death says she received little support from management

A caregiver who was convicted for her role in the starvation death of Florence Girard has spoken out about the lack of support she received while working in home care. Astrid Dahl, who was found guilty in 2022 for failing to provide the necessaries of life for Girard, a woman with Down syndrome, stated that she would not have entered into home care had she known how little support she would receive.

During a coroner’s inquest, Dahl criticized the home-care organization she worked for, Kinsight Community Society, for putting “paperwork before people” and failing to provide adequate support for things such as prescribed pain medication and health expertise. She emphasized the need for individualized programming, stating that everyone is different and should be treated as such.

Girard, who weighed only 50 pounds at the time of her death, had been under the care of Dahl for 30 years. Kinsight oversaw the home-sharing service under a contract with Community Living B.C., but Dahl claimed she was unable to contact the organization directly about the lack of support out of fear of termination.

Despite facing questioning from Kinsight’s lawyers about her opposition to updated care plans and reduced pain medication for Girard, Dahl maintained that the organization’s lack of support played a significant role in the tragic outcome. She expressed regret over her decisions and acknowledged that she should have sought more help.

Dahl also revealed that she had to consult her mother, a former nurse, for nutritionist support when Girard began losing weight. She admitted to making decisions on her own due to the lack of support from Kinsight, ultimately leading to Girard’s untimely death.

In a heartfelt moment during the inquest, Dahl expressed deep remorse for what happened, describing Girard as a member of her own family. The coroner’s inquest, which does not assign fault or blame, is scheduled to continue until January 22.

Overall, Dahl’s testimony sheds light on the challenges faced by caregivers in the home-care system and underscores the need for a more supportive and individualized approach to caring for individuals with developmental disabilities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of providing adequate resources and support to those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.