Sadly, the #covid19 situation has exacerbated the long term care issue.
It's not an excuse, but a fact.
The world is realizing long term care homes are understaffed, and loved ones are suffering.
The workers are pulling gawd awful long shifts, with barely any thanks with the exception of a few signs, a few strategically placed rocks here and there, a free coffee, or a donut. I'm sure this is all appreciated, but in the meantime, they are putting their own families, and their own life at risk. It's not an ideal situation. I hope they get a well deserved raise - I'm not sure what else we can do.
Even with the pandemic in full force, families are still in need of long term care for their loved ones. It's a sad situation. Once they are admitted, they are not allowed to visit. Unless it is a compassionate situation.
This note was written for a time without a pandemic - it's a bit difficult right now, but once the pandemic is over, and for those facing the task of looking for long term care for their loved ones - a bit of advice.
Try and choose a small one - with the short staff roster, a few dozen is still overwhelming, but at least they are not trying to take care of hundreds.
Once your loved one is admitted, be sure to visit frequently. Not just once a month, or every other week. Daily if you can - but at least twice a week. Three or four times if possible.
Take part in activities, and their care.
Grab an activity schedule, and "show up" for Bingo, or Music time, or bean bag toss. How many times did your Mom or Dad, play games with you?
Join the advocacy group for family members
Be a part of the family council.
Have your say - voice your opinion - you can be a part of the solution.
There a minimal standards for long term care - food, shelter, clean sheets, and a bath twice a week.
Consider hiring a personal support worker on your own dime to take them out for fresh air, sponge baths on off days, changing up their blankets, tidying up and light cleaning their room. Holding their hand, brushing their hair, rubbing their backs, plucking a few chin hairs, a mini facial, or a quick manicure in between regularly scheduled manicures.
Hire a hair stylist once a month, an estetician, a manicurist, and a foot care specialist. Pamper them like they did for you.
Family members still need to show up. Do their part.
It's a part time job.
Yes, things must change. If not for our parents, but maybe for us. Our parents would want us to be taken care of better than they were.
We need to be part of that change.
In memory of my sweet wee Mum...who appreciated my sister filing her nails, and plucking her chin hairs, and mini facials, and back rubs from me.
