One of the hardest parts of all this, is when something happens, and the person you love is in pain, and there isn’t anything you can do. Multiply that to also having to be involved in areas, that no son should be looking at, and it becomes a double whammy that leaves you drained & skittish.
With a groin infection, it is hard for her to have me checking that area. I know it makes her uncomfortable. Hell, just changing her nightshirt that exposes her upper body, makes her uncomfortable. Now I have to be checking her ‘privates’ closer, even applying creams, and this isn’t right, but necessary.
I don’t know anymore, how to cope with this.
Actually, that’s not true. I do know how, just that while doing it, I get nervous, worried, and think of all sorts of stuff I shouldn’t. Guess that comes with the territory, but it makes one feel so alone, so helpless, that at times it feels like you are being held captive, motionless, and worst of all, powerless.
I hate that feeling, yet seem like I can’t do anything.
This is another example too, of why it is important to have regular & properly trained home support workers. Without their knowledge, and experience, this becomes a nightmare.
IF I hadn’t been applying the cream, this condition may have gone unnoticed for some time, and that isn’t good. In addition, if you have regular workers, they then know the condition, can see if it is improving or worsening, and that too is critical.
My concern is Mother, but I also wonder, what about all those who have no one there? Who rely solely on the staff being outsourced to companies like Beacon Community Services? How are they managing, or are they?
And yet, VIHA & our Provincial Government continue to fail us, by ignoring the need for PROPERLY TRAINED STAFFING. Yes, I know it costs money, but you know, what it costs in PREVENTING this kind of stuff from worsening, is a whole lot cheaper than if it goes unattended, and requires more intensive help then.