A push for choice
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Recently there was an article in another Highlands' publication that concerned me as a retired health care worker, regarding care of the dying. I felt the article was misleading re peoples preferred place of death.
The Medicare Universal Health Scheme was introduced in the 80s, under the Hawke government, coincidentally care in the community was also introduced to combat the concerns re the low standard of care in some nursing homes and was "cost effective".
An issue with care in the community, was the "burden of care" that some families experienced, generated high levels of stress, consequently there were incidents of abuse and neglect.
The point is that the article stated that "home based care of the dying was in, while hospices were last century thinking". The problem with that is not everyone can or wants to die at home.
While the care from the Community Palliative Care team is excellent, dying at home is not always the gentle, peaceful experience for the person or their family that we imagine. It may become a "burden of care", leaving the family and friends traumatized, and feeling guilty.
My loved friend, who was also a health care worker, needed an inpatient, or hospice bed, there were none available, it was devastating!
There must be a voice in the community that talks about the reality of dying, and their needs. This article reflected the writer's lack of understanding and perpetuated the myth that we can all die peacefully at home regardless of the ongoing consequences.
There must be a choice!
Margaret Elder OAM
READ MORE:
Learning through lockdown
Welcome back the Southern Highland News in print form.
The digital website has been excellent, but a lot of people still like hanging on to a newspaper, particularly a local paper that covers a region. I'm personally pleased to see the newspaper return.
I would like to throw in my pitch on a few matters that developed during the coronavirus lock down.
- During the lock down we had petrol prices being the lowest in years. Who would have benefitted from this as very few vehicles were on the road? From a Highlands prospective do all the oil companies think every person is a millionaire? We have suffered for years with over inflated petroleum prices. But what action has there been from the Australian Competition and Concumer Commission (ACCC)? Not a thing. Do we need marches down Bong Bong Street to bring action?
- For all the skill and attributes of our medical personnel during this grave time of coronavirus and the social distancing rule. I've been a sports person all my life but the NRL to my mind came back too early. Talk about social distancing. We had footballers tackling one another and what is revolting is to see players spitting on the field and also clearing there noses the NRL should put clubs on notice to clean this practice up.
- My feeling is that people are not taking the virus seriously enough. And they do not like being told by the authorities what they have to do. Take the thousands that disregarded the no march orders. Talk about social distancing. And if the government has to take ruthlessness action so be it. Just takes six seconds to be infected from someone that carries the virus when they are less than a metre face to face. History books show the Spanish flu was far worse second time round.
- On a more humorous note I have sung happy birthday so many times when washing my hands. I'm now older than Rip van Winkle Or counted to 2-0. But we need to do it to try to keep safe.
Most people are trying to move in the right direction, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.
Those who do not wish to comply think what you are doing.
And expect the full force of the authorities to come down on you.
To finish thank you to the Southern Highland News for publishing the player profiles on your website during this lock down period. The lawn bowlers and general public have had a laugh from the players responses.
A lot of people have asked me what did I do in lock down and I am pleased to let you know.
- My wife Bette had me out in the garden and showing me the flowers we have had in the garden all these years. At least I have found out a bit on gardening. Yes it was relaxing. But I'm not sorry to take the bowls out of the bag again. Anyway, Bette was always in charge of the garden and I don't like interfering.
- I have missed going to the 8am service at St Jude's Bowral on a Sunday, but have been watching hymns of praise on the ABC at 11:30am.
- I have worked on my life story for a magazine and part 1 was published in June. Part 2 will be published in December.
- I have done whatever my wife told me to do...sometimes.
- Anyway I'm out of home duties and back on the bowls green.
Finally all take care in these trying times and let's hope there is a brighter time ahead.
