This past weekend my mother went to a “party” a farewell party for a friends husband who had past away a few weeks ago. This was held at a pub as that is what “bob” had asked for..My mother called me and made the most profound statement. “Miranda” she said ” Bob was more than just an old man…but I think we all forget that” – My mom is right..When we are babies, our families, friends and strangers just can’t get enough of our cuteness…We become children..teenagers..adults…all with significant life experiences and changes…then we become seniors..our children are grown up and moved on…our grandchildren visit every so often..we are old. But we weren’t always that way.. My mom’s friends husband “Bob” was a writer..he was a father and he was a husband..He enjoyed his bit of cider every evening and loved his computer. “Bob” was more than just an old man…He was at one point like you and me.
In my work with OPSWA, I see many elderly I meet many elderly…and one thing I see to often is that they are “forgotten”. These individuals that were once a CEO, Nurse, Doctor, Engineer, teacher..mother, father, sister, brother. boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend,, husband, wife and the list goes on. They sculpted this society that we enjoy today and what do we do? We give them homecare with no substance. Long term care with the threat of abuse and substandard care. Hospitals that forget they are human. Okay maybe I am speaking to the worst situations but they are out there and they happen more than we care to admit. These very people who one day WILL be YOU or ME, are not receiving the care they rightly DESERVE and that makes me sad, very very sad.
The individuals who care for them – Family Caregivers or Personal Support Workers have a daunting task. Not enough support or tools but tons’ of passion to give them the best care possible. PSWs need all the support they can get to provide proper care, so we should all be on the sidelines rooting and cheering on the PSW as apposed to trying to bring them down. PSWs are the future of Healthcare. PSWs will be providing care to someone you know – your loved one OR YOU at somepoint in your life. PSWs are the heartbeat of frontline care. Let’s help them provide quality care and let’s remember those like “Bob” as more than “just an elderly person”
Written by Miranda Ferrier/President/OPSWA
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