An Exchange of Words
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.
It Is A Tough Call
There is a price, that one pays, when they feel the need to step up and do what is right.
In today’s world, Big Business & Government, does NOT like being told they are failing, the consumer/public. In fact, they hate it, and so they use all necessary means, including denial of services, to help dampen those who would dare challenge their authority, or rights to do business.
After all, these private health contracts aren’t for peanuts, but MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. I suppose it is only natural to want to protect the gravy train, however, at the expense of old people?
Now my situation is different, because you see, I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. If that means I have to wash my mother, including her private regions, then so be it. AND she is okay with that, because she is simply tired of being manhandled, of being made to feel like a burden, or a sack of old bones.
At the present time, there will be NO worker tonight, and whether or not one will arrive tomorrow, is basically up in the air. No notice from the Private Firm contracted to provide the service, but instead from the Government Agency responsible.
Now I don’t know, but when did the ‘employee’ dictate to the ‘employer’ who they will see, or not see? It IS the government who determines the services needed, NOT the private firm being contracted to provide those services. So why is it the Government who is telling me that tonight’s worker isn’t coming? AND WHY ARE THEY NOT INSURING THEIR CONTRACT IS ENFORCED?
No big deal, because frankly, who needs the added stress, and aggravation?
The sad part is that this private firm, is supposed to be NON PROFIT and DEDICATED to the needs of its patients, such as my NINETY TWO YEAR OLD MOTHER. SO TOO, IS VIHA. AND yet, because I dare to complain, dare to question the capabilities of those being sent to help my mother, SERVICE GETS PUT ON HOLD.
It is inconvenient, but not catastrophic for us, but what about those who have no one to complain? Who will step up for them, and then if they do, will they too suffer a denial of service? Will the Campbell Government leave them in the lurch, as it appears that VIHA is doing in our case?
Oh they talk nice, and say they are planning to work, towards insuring mother gets the help she needs, but not tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe not. Granted, it is early yet in the day, sort of, but that too, is okay. I will plan to manage, without any qualified help, because we are lucky, & have a great doctor, to insure her health is fine. PLUS I am not afraid of extra work, or duties, so we shall survive.
It means more stress, but okay, I’ll learn to cope, because now, the concern is Mother. I have managed to calm her, a bit, and okay, so the laundry grew since this morning, due to her nervousness, and being uncomfortable. I got laundry soap and bleach, and so if I have to do laundry twice a day, no problem. I will do it, see she has clean clothes, have stocked up on depends, so that is covered, and the refrigerator is full, so we shall manage.
In the meantime, I shall pursue this, through the media, this blog, and our MLA. And I shall continue to be the fly in the ointment, and shall continue to press for proper accountability of any government contract being issued to a private firm, for the care of others. Someone has to voice the concerns, that are merely whispered these days. Someone has to let others know, they aren’t alone, that society doesn’t discard its older people, because it isn’t economical.
