Care Homes
Yes this Coronavirus has got me thinking about them.
We had a fight within the family about putting my mother into one. She died at home but she would go to a care home for periods of ‘respite’ care. That was the compromise.
No matter how professional the staff are, how accessible the conveniences, how comfortable the rooms there is that ‘institutional’ feel about them. When I would visit I would always find her sat depressed. I’m not saying she was much happier at home (she had many medical issues) but at least she could be gloomy at home.
We chuck our elderly into ‘Homes’ don’t we? Let’s be honest, we want rid. I mean rid of them in our homes. They have internalised this and ‘don’t want to be a burden’ and ‘it would be better all round’ if they go along with it. And they do. But are they happy?
I mean forced community activies. Singing old songs. The television blaring. Bingo.
You know in China, Asia this attitude to the elderly is an absolute anathema. They esteem their elderly as cherished members of the family at the centre of the family home.
We revere Captain Tom (now Colonel Tom) but he is lucky to still live in his own home. Imagine wouid we have such a cheery character if they lived in An Old Peoples Home? I doubt it.
An Old People’s Home. The very sound of it is humungously depressing.
Lots of investigations its got to be said showing abuse in these Homes.
The staff have of course a ‘vocation’. Convenient word that to pay them very little.
So poorly paid staff, lack of PPE…and this virus ‘running wild’. They would have been safer in a family home.
Nominated by Miles Plastic




