Last Thursday (September 3 2009) we were graced by the presence of a representative of VIHA and Beacon Community Services, in an effort to determine the best course of care for Mother. At their suggestion, the meeting took place at 9:30am, which is still a bit of a mystery to me. I mean they knew Mom was having a worker from 9am till 10am, so was it an attempt to meet with me only, and not mother?
Am I being paranoid? Perhaps, but I think I have reason to be cautious.
However that plan, if it was one, didn’t work out, as Mom came out, & rather than having her breakfast, she chose to sit in on the meeting. Judging from the faces, I kind of think they weren’t expecting that. Even at 92, Mom is a force to be reckoned with, when need be.
Apparently one of the concerns, was my temper, and my looming presence when a worker is here. Interesting to note, that yes I do have a temper, but have kept it in check, except for one explosion with Ms.Donaldson, at Beacon on last Monday (August 31 2009) when I simply had enough. It followed my asking that morning’s home support worker to leave. I wasn’t shouting, wasn’t loud or even in her face, and how, I have no idea, but I did control myself, until she was gone.
I suppose in some way, they may have been here on a fishing expedition, to try and find some valid reason to have refused service, or to limit my role in the care of my mother. I don’t really know, because to be honest, I don’t believe much was accomplished, in addressing the overall question, regarding the quality of care being provided from VIHA, through the private firm, Beacon Community Services.
As for my looming presence, my hovering over the worker, while she is attending to mother, it is true. Now, I won’t argue that, because the fact is, I do indeed hover, though I would characterize it more of being vigilant.
The issue is, when a new worker arrives to help mother, I need to know that they can do the job, and given my experience with the level of care being supplied, I need to be on guard. In all honesty, we have had more DUDS than NOT. AND THAT IS NOT CONDUSIVE TO ME WANTING TO STEP AWAY (as mentioned by the VIHA representative, numerous times).
If a person is capable of doing the job, then YES I do step away, step back and sit down to have a hot cup of coffee, or to just unwind on the balcony. Unfortunately those moments were not often enough, instead my place was in the hallway, making sure that care was being taken with Mom. Often I had to step in, to help lift mom up and into the transport chair, as the ‘so called home support worker’ was incapable of properly doing that task.
If it makes them nervous, well, as I said to VIHA, TOUGH.