Erosion of Resistence
I wonder, if the real goal behind all the red tape, all the delay tactics, by Government, is simply to wear a person down? Do they care, that they endanger people’s health, by their refusal to treat people with dignity? Do they care, that one day, they too will be in their nineties, and possibly in need of help or support?
WE ARE RUNNING OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AS A BUSINESS, INSTEAD OF IT BEING A NECESSARY PART OF LIFE.
Adrian Dix is the health critic for the provincial NDP, and still no reply from him, on the policies his party have, in regards to private contracts, or health care.
Ida Jong, our Liberal MLA, has decided, apparently, that the issue of private contracts has been settled, because Beacon Community Services agreed to provide regular health workers, and so to her, it seems the fire is out.
The Times Colonist has yet to reply, despite already having a reporter looking into the growing issue of complaints about Beacon Community Services, and the VIHA contract to them.
Strange isn’t it, until you realize:
ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, NOT THE PEOPLE.
They Suffer, Then They Die
It is very difficult, to accept, but that appears to be today’s motto for those providing health care to the Elderly.
They Suffer in Silence, Then They Simply Die.
This morning, once again I had to step in, and do what the workers are supposed to do, for Mother. Not only that, but she seemed surprised that I would even dare question her care, which only infuriates me. I LOVE MY MOTHER & NO ONE, IS GOING TO MIS TREAT HER.
It really is that simple.
To begin with, you don’t expect a 92 year old, with a cast, to transfer herself from the bed, to a transport chair. (scaled down wheelchair) You need to help her up, steady her and let her move at her own speed, with you guiding her, keeping her from falling, from taking a mis-step that could lead to another serious fall, with injuries.
When you are supposed to wash a person, it makes much more logical sense to remove the dirty clothing, including any soiled undergarments. You DO NOT wash her upper body while she is sitting in piss.
It really is that simple.
WHEN a person is elderly, you DO NOT force their limbs with your own hands, you DO NOT grab them tightly, to shift them, to get their arms upright to clean them. You DO NOT use soap then dry them off, and slap on lotion, as the health care plan requires. ANY of those actions can lead to serious damage, especially when a person has BRITTLE BONES.
It really is that simple.
When the older person is in a cast, you don’t force their clean nightshirt on over their head first, forcing them to use their arms in an upright position, to get the hands through the sleeve openings. The goal is to take the path of least resistance, to gently slide the arms through the sleeve openings, then bring the head opening up and over.
It really is that simple.
You DO NOT CUT the depends, a patient is wearing, to slide them off. The Patient MAY need assistance in standing up, but while it may take more effort, it is simpler, and less dangerous than trying to cut through the material. Last thing you want is to slip and maybe cut the skin. Okay, so YOU may have to bend down and slide the soiled depends (undergarments) off, and YES the smell isn’t pleasant, but then YOU did take on the job, didn’t you?
It really is that simple.
The Elderly DO NOT move at the same speed we do. They shuffle, they have troubles moving, so rushing them, is only going to lead to problems, to complications like falls. IF the time allotted isn’t enough, then YOU need to inform the people in charge, but YOU DO NOT RUSH OLD PEOPLE.
It really is that simple.
Caring for a person who is aged, is not an easy task. With pay starting at over $15 an hour, plus mileage, one would assume that is a decent wage for the task involved. If a person feels it isn’t a good starting wage, THEN DO NOT TAKE ON THE JOB. These are people, not numbers, not some faceless blob. They are ENTITLED to respect, to have their dignity, and not be subjected to rough handling, simply because one is unhappy with the pay being given.
It really is that simple.
Home Support workers are there to do a job, to help where family members may not be able to, such as a male having to clean a female private regions. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to inform them of any conditions that exist, so they can take appropriate action.
It really is that simple.
The primary purpose of home support, is to do tasks to aid the senior citizen, and the SECONDARY purpose is to lighten the load of the 24/7 caregiver, which is usually a family member.
That DOES NOT mean you change them into clean clothes, when they have just been changed.
It DOES NOT mean you use 5 wash clothes, or towels, and toss them into the laundry basket, when 2 would suffice.
It DOES NOT mean you leave the garbage stuffed to over flowing, filled with urine & feces soaked under garments.
It DOES NOT mean you ignore cleaning the washroom after use, or FAIL to use appropriate DISINFECTENT. A quick wipe with a cloth IS NOT SUFFICIENT.
It DOES NOT mean you toss the blankets on the unmade bed, and that you determine to move things, to a new place, simply because it is easier for you. IF you see a pillow at the foot of the bed, see that the Patient has her feet resting on it, DO NOT PUT IT UP ON THE PILLOW SHE USES FOR HER HEAD.
It really is that simple.
AND yet it seems it isn’t that simple. In just nearly SIX WEEKS, those workers supplied by Beacon Community Services seem INCAPABLE of doing just that.
These are supposed to be TRAINED WORKERS, and YET they cannot follow simple procedures. They are unable to read written instructions, but they all know how to use the phone to clock in and out.
THEY SUFFER, THEN THEY DIE
IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE
Tell Me Beacon Community Service, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Elected Members of the Legislature, HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT?
