My thoughts about Seniors and Healthcare
I read an interesting article in the Peterborough Examiner last week (November 18, 2008). The article entitled “Home Care Needs Help: New Report”, provides 20 recommendations on how to improve homecare (Isaacson, 2008). The article can be found at: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1301457&auth=FIONA%20ISAACSON,%20EXAMINER%20HEALTH%20WRITER. The topic of seniors and healthcare is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I have been working as a Registered Practical Nurse in a long-term care facility for over 3 years, thus, experiencing the effects of the lack of funding for seniors and the funding strains that the nursing homes are facing all too often. In my opinion, the system has been broken for a very long time.
So I ask myself, how do they propose to implement these recommendations in a time of economic down-turn? Fact is, the baby boomers are getting older and creating a huge aging population. The needs of senior’s health should be a priority. I trust that allowing and assisting seniors to stay in their homes longer will help the current strain on long-term care facilities, but at what expense do we let this happen? I believe and have experienced that we currently have seniors living alone or in subpar conditions. Where is the government in these situations? Too many seniors appear to slipping through the cracks.
Approximately, 9 months ago, I admitted a resident, who had being living in a house with no running water or hydro; he did not have money for food. It stated it took 2 years to get assistance so that he could move to the nursing home. He appeared to be elated and relieved immediately upon arrival, as he said” I am now living in luxury”. Why did it take so long for him to get help? If this is happening now, what will I experience when I get old? Very scary thought!!! Anyone else have any stories or comments about senior’s healthcare?
So I ask myself, how do they propose to implement these recommendations in a time of economic down-turn? Fact is, the baby boomers are getting older and creating a huge aging population. The needs of senior’s health should be a priority. I trust that allowing and assisting seniors to stay in their homes longer will help the current strain on long-term care facilities, but at what expense do we let this happen? I believe and have experienced that we currently have seniors living alone or in subpar conditions. Where is the government in these situations? Too many seniors appear to slipping through the cracks.
Approximately, 9 months ago, I admitted a resident, who had being living in a house with no running water or hydro; he did not have money for food. It stated it took 2 years to get assistance so that he could move to the nursing home. He appeared to be elated and relieved immediately upon arrival, as he said” I am now living in luxury”. Why did it take so long for him to get help? If this is happening now, what will I experience when I get old? Very scary thought!!! Anyone else have any stories or comments about senior’s healthcare?
Reference: Isaacson, F. (2008, November 18). Home care needs help: new report. The Peterborough Examiner, pp. A1.
1 comment:
Hi Tammy! I agree, there is a great need for nurses for the future as the baby boomer population is aging. As a student nurse, I feel that once I graduate I can try to eliminate the nursing shortage along with all other nurses.
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