Editor, The News:
Re: Seniors have become gold mines (Letters, Jan. 14).
I am 100 per cent in agreement with Betty McKendrick. Our Seniors are definitely being ripped off in nursing homes.
The level of care is not what it used to be.
Having had a career for the past 30 years in the health care system, I can say that this is unfortunately true.
Many of the concerns regarding this are thanks to Gordon Campbell.
In my opinion, it is extremely disgraceful how our elderly are treated.
One lady I cared for many years ago told me that: ‘because I am old and in a wheelchair, people think I have no feelings and no brain.’
Pathetic, rips my heart out.
Over the years, I have tried many times to wake the public to the need for better changes, but to no avail.
I am so glad to see that someone else is speaking out.
Why has this happened?
Greed is the main reason.
Also, in opinion, the regionalization of the health care system destroyed the personalization of care.
Now, there are too many ‘upper echelons’ in the system who wouldn’t know the people who are in their care if they fell over them.
It is also degrading regarding the in home care being so unattainable, with the cost and the lack of support, which is so direly needed.
I feel for the families who are caring for their loved one in their homes. I know it is a 24/7/365, unrelenting, no-time-for-oneself undertaking.
It’s time for a major change, yesterday.
What I ask is, when it’s my turn, please ‘put me to sleep.’ Do not put me in a ‘don’t care home.’
I want to state that it is not the fault of the caregivers who provide the daily living activities for the elderly in these facilities. They are extremely understaffed, overworked and work in a very stressful environment.
It is not because they don’t speak up in defence of the people they care for; their opinions and useful ideas are ignored.
I want to ask all of you out there, would you use sheets that are patched or so thin you can see through them on your bed?
Would you eat or serve the food that is provided in these facilities to your family and friends?
Claire Rollins
Maple Ridge
You don’t have to be 90 to be mistreated
Editor, The News:
Re: Seniors have become gold mines (Letters, Jan. 14).
I couldn’t agree more with Betty McKendrick, but a few details were left out.
You don’t have to be 90 to receive this kind of treatment. My husband is 74.
And it’s not just pensions that are charged 80 per cent. Any monthly or annually RRSP or RIF withdrawals, which are compulsory by the government, are also charged 80 per cent.
For January 2011, my husband’s charges: for room and board, $1,732; pads (diapers), $117.54; activities, $20; prescriptions from the doctor at the care home, $16.76; Christmas dinner, $3.84.
On top of that I have expenses for his medical coverage ($54.50), haircut ($6.50, $13 bi-monthly), pedicure ($16.50, $33. bi-monthly).
That leaves me $197.36 for clothes, toiletries, snacks or anything else he might need.
My income is $828.96 a month for OAP and CPP.
The rest needs to come out of my RIF, which took me over 30 years to save.
I was trying to get a yearly bus pass for $42, for which I am now paying $46.50 a month.
I need the bus to visit my husband.
I’ve been told by Randy Kamp, our MP, that when my RIF savings is depleted, I can re-apply for the bus pass.
At this rate, I shouldn’t have to wait too long.
Cathy Dyer
Maple Ridge