You raise a good point lb, re the community.    It was a horrible situation described in the article & I applaud Dale Brazao for staying all week - I would think there were many challenges in doing so. 

I guess the local church would have known about the existence of the home - I think the article said some folks attended a nearby church.   From the description of the home, I wonder if volunteers would even have been permitted to visit?   I have no idea, but they may have possibly been viewed as "busybodies" and turned away.    There are several smaller "retirement homes" or "rest homes" in my neighbourhood - both have good reputations within the care community, but I don't know if either has any volunteers.  Often volunteers gravitate to larger, more known locations with established programmes.

From my perspective, part of the problem lies with the dire financial straits many people face.  Most retirement homes in my area are beyond the income range of people on simple pensions.   A year ago, someone I know of who is on Ontario Disability Support Pension was deemed to need retirement home services due to cognitive and physical limitations.   One of the small homes agreed to reduce their monthly rate in order that this person could live there & still have a small comfort allowance.   Seemed like it was all good to go & the person was thrilled.   Then ODSP stated that if the person moved to such a place, her pension amount would be drastically cut - making it impossible for tje person to live there.  And this makes sense how?   She remains living in a hospital - a very costly alternative.  She is "too well" for nursing home admission.   Catch 22?

It seems clear in the newspaper story that some residents have deteriorated to the point where they clearly require NH admission.   Despite our Ontario government stating it's a simple thing to gain admission - it is still an unknown process for many families.  Assuming there is a family - which often there is not for people living in these circumstances.   They may never have been formally deemed incapable either - so they're not even on the province's radar as far as guardianship is concerned - just languishing in squalor.  Very sad.   I think I'm rambling a bit now ...

What volunteer organizations, and residents themselves, should know is that "retirement" homes can not turn away anyone that a resident permits.  These homes fall under the Landlord Tenant Act.  The residents are tenants and therefore entitled to all tenant rights.

I would be very suspicious of a home, nursing or retirement, that turned away volunteers or visitors.  In Ontario there is an Elder Abuse Hotline:  The Seniors’ Safety Line number is 1-866-299-1011 for reporting suspected abuse.

Again in Ontario (I hope that there are similar programmes in other provinces), ORCA (Ontario Retirement Communities Association) has a Retirement Home Complaints Response and Information Service line  - 1·800·361·7254.

Here is a guideline for Recognizing Older Adult Abuse with additional links about prevention, etc.

In the case of the residence in the Star article, I would also question the hospital discharge process.  Discharge planners should be aware of the conditions that they are sending people to - from the descriptions of the residents I can not see how medical professionals were not involved.  Again this may be unique to my community, but CCAC (Community Care Access Centres) are involved with coordinating discharge care.  Our home has a daily brigade of Home Care professionals from those who assist with short term heavy care needs to nurses doing ongoing care.  They are one more set of eyes and ears not to mention helping hands.

Again, due to the distinction between nursing home and retirement, no one can deny access to these individuals.

We - as in the caring society we - can not claim blindness because we refuse to look.

This is a significant problem area that should be looked at.  Coordination of the myriad governmental agencies is necessary to increase efficiency.  Many seniors and families are unaware of programmes that could facilitate their needs - the Department of Veterans Affairs has many programmes, from housing to assist devices, available to Vets that few take advantage or know about.

But there are many who are not eligible for any assistance.  People who have worked hard all their lives and contributed to the coffers of government and society on a regular basis.  These are the people who did all those menial jobs that are essential to the comfort of others but do not pay enough to fill up an RRSP or have company pension plans to fall back on.  [another aside:  one of our residents lost their monthly company pension cheque when Nortel declared bankruptcy - apparently there is a law suit but considering their age they will not live to see the outcome and is now terrified for the future].

Few nursing homes have beds available and their waiting lists are very long.  In many cases nursing home beds were filled with low income, "healthy" seniors.   [People should be aware that "nursing" homes are eligible for public health care funding, "retirement" homes are not].  We have had several residents who waited for years for a bed in a nursing home, their names constantly bumped for crisis patients because planners had the knowledge we would care for them.  Ultimately this puts a strain on our facility, both staff and residents, as we are not designed or equipped to look after long term heavy care residents.

And yet another, very personal observation:  I have posted here how much I love my job.  It really isn't the job that I love but the residents.  They give to me far more than I could ever give to them - although they would deny that.  They are incredible people with wonderful stories and insightful commentary.  I'd like to think they are unique but they are not.  They are like all elderly people - like all people - all they want, all they desire, is to have someone care for them, to not feel alone in this world.

These are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters.  The people that fought and built this country.  Their legacy is a better, more comfortable, nation for us to live in.  We can not just be charitable we - and by that we, I really do mean each and every one us who are healthy and able - are obligated to make sure they do not spend their final years in filth and decay.

LB

To be happy in this world, especially when youth is past, it is necessary to feel oneself not merely an isolated individual whose day will soon be over, but part of the stream of life flowing on from the first germ to the remote and unknown future.

     Bertrand Russell

LB,

Like an old blind man that was called Love ... heis not dead but lost in a busy world where we are too preoccupied in making expensive trips, etc. etc. etc. to think of those that bought us into this life and got us through to a point of relative independance ...

Can the old folk be wakened? I say relative because it is a matter of alchemy ... knowing what supports even the most extravegant tastes in this dimension ... but alas many of us are terribly unnaware. There are some that said we should have put the mother-in-law in a home so we could enjoy our senior years ... if she lives another 5 years could we repay the first 20 or so that she suppported my wife and so my own desires?

I am criticized for believing in conspiracy theory by some very well educated peoples ... I denyed it at first until I realized ignorance is the grandest conspiracy ... and you don't have to work at it ... it sneaks up on you like a Veil and that is no covenant for self-rightuous fabrications ... we are flawed as a social order. No wonder the west hates social context!

Smiles at Waterbouy....

Oh the old folks are awake at least in my small corner of the world and they're growing restless...

We are in the midst of municipal elections.  We invited all the candidates to come, meet and discuss the issues with our residents.  Those that have attended have expressed amazement at how aware and *passionate* the residents are about current issues.  A few candidates did not initially respond to our invite - probably dismissing the need - however, such is the luck in a small town, word has spread and now those candidates are clamouring to get a spot on the calendar.

The elderly, like all of us, are capable of changing their situation.  Sometimes they, like the rest of us,  just need someone to help them find a way.

My question still remains, who is willing to help them?

LB - a member of the secret grey hair red shoe cabal

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

     Galatians 6:9

In consideration of ancient Word ....

From a file called Edge Hang Ayres, that's shiyr in Hebrew, clear thought in á saac 've giggles, but you can't due Wit in a pillar'd space ... look what happened to Sam's UN when he bought the hoes down! The stoics didn't like the humbling action ...

Unfortunately, we live in a disposable society.  If someone's an inconvenience, we discard them.  The elderly, the disabled, the unwanted, etc. are potential subjects for neglect and abuse.  And, what the heck, we extend this attitude to the unborn, the needy, etc.  Shove grannie into an old folk's home and who gives a hoot if she's abused or neglected?  Take control of her finances and milk the old broad for all she's worth.  (I've seen it done, more than once, when I was a pastor.  Absolutely sickening.)  Don't want to be pregnant, let's get rid of THAT for you.  A simple 'procedure' will dispose of 'that' problem.  Some Viking cultures would set an elderly person adrift on a burning boat.  Our society isn't too far removed from that attitude.  When we fail to provide the essentials for the most vulnerable members of our society, we're no longer a civilized people.

Somehow I see a conflict here in crossed strings ...

The moral standing of a society is measured by the way it treats its most helpless citizens.

The Christian honour code is the Code of Chivalry. The Code of Chivalry means far more than men being in the service of women; it means that the powerful should be in the service of the powerless.

You and me both, WaterBouy.

This is, in my humble opinion and as an observer of life, a fundamental pastoral care issue. 

I know that in my community our churches are actively involved in visiting the retirement and nursing homes.  However, it appears that other communities are not benefiting from this great service and, as an observer, I can not figure out why.

What is the purpose of pastoral care, if not to act on behalf of those who can not speak for themselves.

LB

Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help.

Do more than believe: practice. [Do more...]

Do more than dream: work.

      William Arthur Ward

LBM,

That is the essence of self, something that is beyond the isolated (mahaineim, Maan) ... one must get involved beyond one's elph ... a devilish expectation to those that follow a Roman paradigm of tromp on your neighbour ... it's against the Roué:

• Walk softly Muse, the real world is a fragile thing, emote and thought (Theo) go on and on ... infinite sojourner? Remove the sole, the physical part, and travel with care and profound awareness of what supports you!

Then who of normal circumstances could see that in an oppressed realm ... Occum's Edge ... that's shiyr in Hebrew some phun to dig into and realize where we truly are ... or is that pluralized are's? Just look at the passers bi ... does creation have a sense of humour ... deep Black Laid-E ... bet' noire as d'Veil in the temple ... parietael lobos? A deeper sense of chaos than the literally superficial ... didn't an immortal soul need something to amuz ...