The Vulnerable Need An Advocate

There has been a lot of newspaper coverage regarding the level of care, or lack thereof, for people in long-term care facilities, particularly for those in areas designated for people with memory issues. Probably everyone who has had to make the decision about placing a loved one in a long-term care home can relate a story, either good or bad, about that experience. Long-term care homes, like any organization, have good workers as well as those that are better suited for other types of employment. While there has been a lot written about the growing population and the need for more long-term care beds, including the need for more personal support workers(PSW), there are other concerns.

Although many people requiring additional care can effectively communicate their thoughts, the growth in the number of people with dementia-related health problems require PSW’s with genuinely caring personalities. After being a regular, almost daily, visitor to a dementia unit for 3 years it became apparent that the vulnerable need an advocate. Without that voice and ongoing third-party oversight of the care being provided, the vulnerable can be at a disadvantage with some needs often remaining unaddressed for extended periods. There were also occasions where I felt that the needs of employees may have taken precedence over the needs of those in their care.

There’s no doubt we will need more resources to cope with the increase in care that will be associated with the ‘boomer’ generation. It is not simply more resources but more PSW’s with that critical caring personality and ability to consider the times when the needs of those in their care may take priority over some of their own. Also, to help offer an explanation for some of those unexplainable injuries that occur in dementia units, cameras should be required in all common areas where resident personal privacy is not an issue. There is also a requirement for random unannounced visits by health officials to ensure that resident needs are being met. A proactive rather than the customary reactive approach should hopefully yield better results.