This isn’t the first time a senior pleads for help in Ontario and in our community. A very sad situation, a senior, a responsible and conscientious citizen, calls out for help but cannot able find it.
Have you or do you know someone who has been unsuccessful in getting medical assistance or home assistance from the community care facilities in Ontario?
Write us with your story….
Recently we received a message from a senior who laments that she is unable to get the assistance she needs and believes to which she is entitled from a Community Care Access Centre in our province.
She wrote us the following letter:
September 2017
(CCAC) COMMUNITY CARE ACCESS CENTRE
GROSS INJUSTICE AND NEGLECT.
My first Total Knee Replacement Surgery was scheduled for the end of April 2017 with the other knee to follow.
At the end of January, an old lower back injury pain returned radiating to both thighs. After Medication, X-rays, CT scan and Neurology Tests, a diagnosis was confirmed. It was necessary to continue Medication, start Physiotherapy sessions and wear a back support.
My pre-operation assessment was done in April and the team there had full access to all the reports. I was told home care will be organized at the Rehabilitation Centre.
The post-operation rehabilitation pain control medication was my worst nightmare. On arrival at the rehab, I discussed with the social worker and the occupation therapist the necessity to have basic home care on discharge.
I am a senior, living independently and on my own for 35 years in a two-story house with a total of 25 steps to my stairs. I have been able to perform all my household activities over the years.
I was discharged on Friday, May 12, with a social worker stating that no help was available for me. I found this very troubling and stressful to be without a shower for 6 days, make or change bed clothes or use laundry facility in the basement; struggling to go up and down 25 steps with the help of a cane. How cruel and unkind! My recovery progress was greatly compromised.
After being home for 9 days, CCAC personnel phoned Saturday, May 20 at 8:15 pm requesting to do 25 minutes interview to ascertain if I needed help. Tuesday, May 23, another CCAC personnel phoned requesting 35 minutes phone interview. I expressed my disgust for their treatment.
I would not like this unfortunate incident to happen to another person with similar needs.
A senior in need of help.
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Something is wrong either in our province, or with our political leaders and their party policies or our society. Good citizens who have paid their dues, lived responsible and contributing lives in the province seem to be being left out in the cold. They cannot get the help they need. If they are alone, without family, they may be like the proverbial paddler in the canoe without a paddle.
The community care access centre says this: Statement from the CCAC
Curious to see the new ads hitting the TV networks and originating from nursing associations in Ontario. They recognize that there aren’t enough nurses in the province. This situation if it isn’t at the critical stage already, it will be very soon as the society ages and all these older adults will be looking for assistance and help at some point.
The nurses association of Ontario has professional guidelines and regulations but these rules only serve as guides for the profession, not offering physical and real solutions: College of Nurses of Ontario
The Ontario government should, must recognize the urgency of this problem which will only become worse if the current neglect and oversight is allowed to continue. Even patients with money cannot find the help which they need and deserve.
Are we headed for disaster by the short-sightedness and lack of satisfactory prioritization by our governments? What do you think?
