Well... kinda. Seems I struck a cord with a worker there. A very unhappy one at that. It seems on Oct. 20th "Anonymous" found the blog. umm Anonymous from Rekai that is. I guess they don't know there are trackers on blogs. And depending on how you set up some of those trackers there is just a ton of information to be had on those that post....
Anyway, I wasn't going to bother answering their remarks but I think I'll take a crack at a few.
1) I make up lies... well... pictures paint a thousand words there. And as for not taking her there again being the logical solution... then what is the solution? I just love criticism with no resolve. Let me explain something "anonymous"... do you not watch tv? read the newspaper? Right now there is a case in court about abuse in a nursing home in Ontario. There have been many, many such cases so please.. inform me of one that there have been no issues in of this sort and I'll take her there. Mind you, if it is a distance away you can explain to her why you have made her go where her family can't get to her on a regular basis. You can explain to her why there are 3 other people in the room with her and she has no privacy. You can explain why her elderly friends can't get to her to visit her as well and why she is now very lonely on top of having to leave her home. This is a relatively new building, relatively clean for the most part (other than the mouse traps and the bedbugs and that damn mat). Not many people want to leave their home and go to a nursing home. It means they pretty much lose everything, especially if they have a pet they love. If they are on only old age pension and supplement, they lose that too and are only allowed to keep $130 a month of it. Not much is it? That $130 has to pay for any extras they want including phone, cable, kleenex, shampoos, conditioners, makeup for the ladies that wish it, snacks, treats, clothing, hairdresser, etc. etc. etc. And not all elderly can use a cell phone, especially if they have any kind of memory issue. So where exactly would you like me to take her if this place is the only place she will go because she doesn't want to lose contact with all her elderly friends and her only family in the area? And (obviously since you have no training in the matter).. so you know, Dr's agree that taking one to a nursing home for weekends or a few days during the week is the best idea. It gets them used to the place, helps them meet others and gain some interests instead of being just thrust into the place and feeling abandoned.
2) I'm the one at fault because I take her there... hmm please read above and if you have a better idea, let me know.
3) oh.. one that actually did have one sensible thing to say said "working in healthcare with budget restrictions is not an easy job - yes, you got that right but that doesn't mean filthy mats should be allowed or not dressing people or filthy cups, etc. That has nothing to do with budget cuts. Dirty is dirty. Then they say that I seem to think the entire facility should be at my every whim. Nope.. never said that. All I complained about is dirt and jobs not done that are expected to be done. You don't change a patient and they get infections and rashes. But here is where they said something right but still dumb.. "If you are so unhappy, find a new facility and compare, I promise you will find the same issues anywhere you go". Bingo!! Which is my answer to the first one... where exactly should we take our loved ones if they are all alike? Why should we not complain in hopes that someone will listen and clean up their act. Even the staff here complain constantly about the new administration and how bad it is and how it's effecting moral and staff. Oh.. and they told me "if you really want to complain, look into the source of funding for long term care home".. well we all know where that source is from and I certainly didn't vote for it.
4) I was told to purchase my own floor mat. I did, and it's at home where it belongs. The LTC facility is duty bound to provide floor mats for patients that may fall. It is not up to the family to bring one. Not even for those that live there, the LTC facility is suppose to provide them. geez
5) I was accused of being sick for taking her there. Again.. exactly where else is there? Give me the name of one in the area that she won't be removed from places she goes to socialize and her elderly friends can get to to visit her as well as some family and I'll gladly take her but alas... no suggestions, just bitchin... oh and in capital letters yet like a teenager on fb. Please take note, not everyone in long term care lays around all day. Many of their patients do go out, do socialize, do participate in the community. They just need a bit of extra help they can't get at home.
6) Oh.. another accusation. I am there only to spy on the place because I drop off my mom and then show up "non-stop". Well again Ms/Mr Anonymous... she pays for home delivery of the newspaper and loves her morning coffee. In the morning I bring her newspaper and a fresh coffee with the sweetener she likes in it. And at night she likes it if I come and tuck her in for the night and stay a bit to chat. Bad me. I come once or twice a day. Naughty, naughty. Even worse, I don't come every day at times. I'm perplexed as to what I'm suppose to do here. Visit her so she has someone to talk with or leave her all alone? Shame on people for visiting. geez
So "anonymous" If you wish to criticize that's fine but take the time to give a real, viable suggestion, not just act like a teenager. You may also say a kind word or two to those I mentioned in the blog that did a great job. And for goodness sake, stop spending so much time here. Google articles about LTC in Ontario and read up on that. Even with CBC, CTV, Global, City and paper media like the Sun and the Toronto Star doing article after article nothing seems to make it any better. Maybe instead of criticizing me so much you should step up to the plate and advocate for the elderly by doing media, etc. oh.. sorry forgot to tell you something else. You, as a resident of Ontario, as a citizen of this country have absolutely NO right to speak at Queens Park or Parliament Hill about this. Don't think that's true? Look it up.
Truth be told ... dirt IS dirt and it shouldn't be happening. Lack of care is just that and that shouldn't be happening either. Maybe they need to be unionized or find another job if this job is unsatisfactory to them. It takes a special kind of person to work this job and it is work. Damn hard work at times and the funding is cut, all the time. maybe it's time to make this an election issue??? But.... also... maybe "anonymous" shows us all why I'm complaining and the caliber of some staff not only there, but at all nursing homes. Not a single positive word, not even for co-workers that I mentioned that are doing great jobs. Kind of sad that their only response is negative and not a single positive word about another worker or anyone in admin from them :-(
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