In Reflection, Not So Simple
There are many moments, when I feel guilty, for some of the thoughts that go through my head. I mean, taking care of mom is not all that complicated at times, just time consuming. So why do I get these moments when I feel so irritated at the quirks? In some ways, it is normal, as she is fighting to keep independent, yet her body is forcing her to give up most of that. She should be entitled to be a bit, well snarky, or selfish, and yet is she? Or am I just being worn down?
The fight with Beacon Community Services, with the dealing of untrained, or uncaring staff, has made a huge drain on my reserves, and I wonder too, if that isn’t just an excuse?
I love Mom, and yet by 10pm, I am looking forward to her going to bed, so I can grab some me time, and yet, when I get it, I worry about her. It seems like it is a no win situation, and it shouldn’t be that way. The one hour each morning, should be a moment for me, to catch a breath, yet isn’t, even when the good staff are here.
Okay, it is, but isn’t. I mean it lets me get things done, when maybe I should just let it go till after, but then, after is when I am on duty, so it is a catch 22 circle, that never seems to end. Resentment builds up, which shouldn’t, and it becomes a real struggle to keep one’s cool, one’s voice calm and level.
Would I change anything? NO! I’d still want to look after mom, but I would change how I approached Beacon & VIHA. I’d be more nasty, more insistent, than I was, and I wouldn’t put up with their snow jobs.
Flu Shot Decision
One has to wonder at those who make decisions, regarding Flu Shots. Just who do they owe their allegiance to? US or the DRUG COMPANIES?
Preliminary testing, shows that the seasonal flu shot, will INCREASE the risk of getting the H1N1 (Swine Flu) for those who take the shot. KIND OF SEEMS A NO BRAINER IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TAKE IT OR NOT, DOESN’T IT?
AND YET, the seasonal flu shot is being hurriedly released, for giving to Seniors. After all, they are the MOST VULNERABLE of our society, next to small children. YET our Health Officials are urging Seniors to once more, take the lead. IN SHORT WE ARE MAKING THEM GUINEA PIGS.
Nice to know, that when you get older, you can still be of value to society, by being a test rat for the drug companies, isn’t it?
In Typical fashion, our Federal Health Agency has NO OPINION on this, and has PASSED THE BUCK TO THE PROVINCIAL AGENCIES.
Home Workers are expected to be vaccinated, and if they don’t choose to have the shot, and get sick, well gee, they don’t get any sick pay. In other words, they are being coerced into getting the shot, that may not only put them at risk, but those they look after. Isn’t that nice of our Government, to insure that we spread illness to everyone possible?
I know, I am cynical, but really, what is happening today is becoming very dangerous. We are playing with people’s health, without giving them a choice, and that smacks of dictatorship, and why? So the DRUG COMPANIES can reap higher profits? So that our health system gets further burdened, with sick elderly and infant children, which means more jobs, more outsourcing, and oh yeah, more taxes.
Common Sense seems to have died these days. How can any Government, justify putting people at risk, especially the most vulnerable in society? How can they sleep at night, knowing that many COULD die, because of their willingness to bow to pressure, from special interest groups?
I won’t let Mom have a flu shot this year, nor does she want one, because while the informatin is sketchy, the risk just isn’t worth it. AND frankly, the trust factor between myself, and big business, is at a low. I see it everyday, in how these giant corporation are doing everything possible, to maximize their profits, at the risk of our health. Look at Maple Leaf Foods, at CIFA, if you doubt that perception. Hell, look at all the recalls in food, now that Stephen Harper has gutted CIFA and given over to the Industry to watch over themselves.
THE FOX IS IN THE HENHOUSE, AND WE PUT HIM THERE.
Years of Experience, My Ass
The regular worker, scheduled for this week is off, which has brought another influx of new home support workers from Beacon Community Services. Funny, how so many claim ‘years of experience’ and yet, it seems like they haven’t a clue on how to handle an old women, of about 120 pounds.
I mean it seems like common sense to me, that a woman of 92 years of age, is not going to be very steady on her feet, and that when faced with a new person helping, she is going to be nervous. Or am I wrong? Is it just that mom is different than most, or is it that the so called ‘years of experience’ really is just a pile of bull?
I don’t get it, but if you are transferring a woman of her age, to a confined space, and who is unsteady, would you not want to be in close contact with her? Would you not want to have obstructions in between you and her? AND yet, that is exactly what many of these so called, seasoned home support workers do. They try to get her to stand up, with a wheelchair in between them and Mom. Makes no sense, least to me.
Then too, a woman who is unsteady, has brittle bones (osteoporosis), should be handled differently than say someone my age, or David’s. Surely when having her stand, you want her to hold onto something other than you? ESPECIALLY if you are going to be using your hands to accomplish some task, like pulling up her depends, or washing her. Why would you have her stand, holding onto you, when you can’t support her weight if she becomes unbalanced?
This is my worry, and when NEW workers come to the home, it is not a relief for me, it is not a break for me, and in fact the ramifications are serious. It tires her out, adds to her nervousness, to her feelings of being of a burden, and that can take days to mitigate. HOW IS THAT HELPING HER OR ME?
Again, it seems to come down to simple economics. Old People are no longer viable contributors to the economics of the country, they are a burden so we do not seem to care enough, to insure they receive proper care. HOWEVER, the reality is, they DID contribute, for many years, and now are in need of assistance. IN ADDITION, the costs of improper care, are increased hospital visits, increased costs in medical services, that could be avoided. A hell of a lot cheaper to deal with issues in home, than in a hospital setting.
Never mind the simple reality of life, that we ourselves will eventually reach that time in our life, when we too, will not be contributors, financially to society. HOW WILL WE FEEL WHEN WE ARE LEFT TO THE MERCY OF UNTRAINED, UNCARING, INEXPERIENCED, PERSONNEL?
