The Bermuda Hospitals Board has defended the quality of care quadriplegic Luke Caines has received during his 40 years at the Continuing Care Unit, claiming that he does not have any bed sores, is allowed to wait outside the CCU elevator to greet people — and has his cable TV bill paid for by nursing staff.

Mr Caines is set to soon move to Summerhaven, a residential home for people in wheelchairs that is run by a charity that aims to give its residents independence and dignity. The move will also enable Mr Caines, 53, to live with people of his own age for the first time in his life.

Earlier this week, in an interview with The Royal Gazette, Mr Caines said he was unhappy at CCU because he had nothing to do on the unit and that staff “do not treat you nicely down there”.

And, in a 2010 interview he said that he was bored living among geriatrics at CCU, while his sister complained that the only activity staff provided her brother was colouring books.

Mr Caines’ transfer to Summerhaven is being held up because the charity needs $6,000 to install a personal shower unit in Mr Caines’ living quarters at the facility — an amenity he does not have at the CCU.

In its statement responding to concerns raised in The Royal Gazette this week, the BHB acknowledged that “institutionalised care is not necessarily optimal for the young disabled”.

But the statement went on: “It is important to note that Mr Caines has a full accommodation and meal service, which includes 24-hour nursing and nursing aide support, access to a multidisciplinary medical and allied health team when needed, along with a vibrant activities schedule which includes on-site activities and trips. He also benefits from dental and foot care.

“CCU has been the only option for many residents as it offers a higher level of skilled nursing than any other facility.

“The ward is not locked during the day and there are regular activities and trips organised that Mr Caines participates in.

“Only if he says he does not want to participate would he not be included. Trips included going to Cup Match, Good Friday kite-flying, visits to Bermuda museums and attractions, etc. Most residents are seniors, but there are some younger disabled residents.”

“Mr Caines is in good health and has no wounds or bed sores, given his long-term immobility.

“Medical health is only one indicator, as mental well-being and quality of life is also very important on CCU.

“It should be specifically noted that staff put a lot of effort into spending time and supporting Mr Caines with supplies above and beyond the expected services provided to residents.

“They take him out to lunch, buy him special toiletries, electric toothbrushes, they were major contributors to his new wheelchair, and even pay for him to have cable TV.”

The statement also questioned this newspaper’s reporting of the story, which included an interview with Mr Caines and one of his close friends who is a frequent visitor to the CCU.

“Bermuda Hospitals Board today corrects a number of factual inaccuracies in the stories regarding its long-term resident, Mr Luke Caines,” the statement said.

“On behalf of the staff who have cared for him each day, BHB takes great objection to the description of the service he [Mr Caines] has received.

“It is not clear if the reporter was misinformed, or made an incorrect assumption.

“Mr Caines is not and has never lived on a ward with dementia patients. There is a specific unit for people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia-related disorders.

“The unit where Mr Caines lives is not locked down and Mr Caines regularly goes out to the CCU elevator where he greets visitors and staff.

“There is a larger question, which The Royal Gazette does not address or even ask, which is about the services Bermuda needs for people with disabilities and whether CCU is an appropriate home. For decades it has been the only option.

“For certain residents, including Mr Caines, BHB believes a home setting is much more appropriate, but he did not have a family option and Summerhaven only became a viable option more recently.”

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