Good care valued
With the many negative stories in the media concerning aged care facilities of late, I thought it necessary to write and share my experiences. I feel so sorry that more people don't get to hear the great stories about how wonderful aged care facilities can be.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
My mother has been in the dementia ward at Murray Vale Shalem Residential Care in Lavington for over three years. Since that time I have visited her at many different times of day. No matter what time I come in she is always being well cared for.
I know the behaviour of my mum, and the other residents, can be very challenging. I have seen the staff answer the same question hundreds of times as well as be verbally and physically abused by the residents but I have never seen them lose their cool. We did witness a staff member being rude once, but it was a rare occasion when someone untrained in dementia was filling in for a staff member. It was swiftly taken care of.
We really notice and appreciate the little touches. For example, in reply to my mum asking "where's my mother," a nurse may say that her mother has just popped up the road to get some bread and milk, it really calms her. Or rubbing essential oils into her skin to relive anxiety, giving her massages to ease what pain she may or may not have, dressing her in the way she probably would like to be dressed, letting her sit in the office - her happy place in the earlier stages.
The staff always give a warm welcome and I think realise sometimes you may be upset leaving. The administration staff and management are always willing to listen and help with any issues. I love that there are activities staff daily as well as an artist that makes wonderful artwork with the residents that gets displayed in the halls. Mum used to love doing art when she was in her earlier stages. Shalem and their exceptional, empathetic staff are truly appreciated.
Deanna Duffy, Lavington
A promise is a promise
As the election looms, the one consistent message is that many candidates seem to spend an inordinate amount of time undermining their opponents and trying to find dirt on them. Any policies they may have are buried under vitriol.
Don Chipp said "keep the bastards honest", and so the politicians should, but undermining is not keeping them honest. It is wasting taxpayers' money that is spent on politicians' incomes, money that should be spent on formulating ways to run the country efficiently.
I would like to see a politician state his/her policies, then pledge to still fight for them even if they lose. There is always the "this will happen if I win", which indicates that should they lose, they will completely abandon fighting for a policy they claim is beneficial to the nation and that you, the voter, are in some way responsible for the nation losing the chance to have this wonderful policy implemented. Don't forget that once in power, if any of these wonderful promises are not kept, it will be claimed they were not "core promises".
Wendy Cooksey, Wodonga
Letters to the editor
You can submit a letter to the editor via the comments section of our website at www.bordermail.com.au, or by emailing letters@bordermail.com.au. Your letter must contain your full name (for publication), as well as an address and phone number (not for publication).
