The Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-06-15, Page 3Ark
.June 11 to June ,18 has 'been
officially, set aside --as -''Nursing-
Home Week" with the, slogan
"What are you doing about it."
,The following is an article
prepared by Mary Oltman of
Goderich discussing the
problems and some :'possible
solutions connected with Nursing
Homes.
If nursing hothes are going to
successfplly administer proper=
{
=DEAR EDITOR
Continued from, Page 2
common sense would think -that •
1
tried to "wiggl•e out .of a
conf`roversial sittratiorr en. i.t
was plainly obvious at all times
that I deliberately and knowingly
"wiggled" into it in the 'first
place? That,is'not .my style.
Surprisingly, it did not•occur to
you that the matter could have
been simple and straightforward
and that I honestly believed then
and believe now that the only way
to do complete justice to ;the.
m.,a t„t, e r w s t o.. a 11 a w .Lh e
townspeople to decide for
themselves, by voting on the
question at the election time.
Your own newspaper seems to
support my view to sortie extent
when it shows, by presenting
interviews under the heading
"And stip' there is
disagreement", how the
townspeople are divided on the
subject. °
I do not agree that it is somehow
suspicious to respect public
opinion in public affairs. And
when you say that 'some
ctouncillors began to back off"
undgr •pr. ess>ire,. I would like to
remind you that none of- u§..
possesses instant wisdom;
studying a matter•frotn all angles
usually improves one's judgment,
•
but it can also lead to changing
one's mind as 'compared„ to hasty
first impressions.
And I resent the treatment of
,those .councillors who did not
ive an account of their
feelings". Nowhere does it say
that • a councillor 'must :.make
.e,lab,grate speeches. The
.: recorded vote showed• clearly
where every councillor stood in
this matter.
Cute headlines and' contrived
1,
conclusions serve only their own
purposes and often have little, in
• common with the spirit in which
--aseriou�ama•tte s:••- re. handled -by
responsible•pople.
Your speculations on the, futiire
are rather melodramatic and I
find it difficult to follow your line•
of thought. Two and a half -acres of
the three -acre site belong to the
Mown. Do you expect this and the
lake to disappear in 20 or 30
years, if Mr. Sully and the present
town council do not come to the
rescue?
Nobody rejected "green areas
and views and 'quiet places". If is
„• all there , to be "coveted and
cherished',,....and _ ..many_._. people
'eir jo i'lythe- reen;-reatit`ri-and' ^'.« '
• natural . setting overlooking the
lake and harbour., Let us look at
the whole picture, not part of it.
Sincerely,
Elsa
fW
Nursing Home
eek - June 11.11
Pucli moll L.
Pe,
ursin
d well balanced care for the
aged; they must .first develop a'
More accurate understanding of
an old person's needs and balance
their attention to these needs
accordingly, Present facilities,
whether private or government
run, indicate by thedesign of their
buildings and their,rbutines of
care, that the present
understanding of these needs is
superficial and that the care
provided is a often , 'mat
proportioned.
The present concept of nursing
home care, it seems is
preoccupied with meeting
medical and physical needs and
sadly overlooks intellectual and
emotional ,ones. This
preoccupation. has, probably ,been
generated by a shallow concept of
the nursing 'home patient. The,
"nursing home patient", it
appears, is sorer one . wtio is.._...
obviously .sick as well as old.
Whether this sickness be physical
or psychological, or both, -the
point is that it is incapacitating
and the patient is dependant, on full
nursing care. Although it may be
an uncomfortable statement to
accept, the, construction and
administrative structure.of most
present homes are evidence that
'this attitude exists (although
perhaps neither consciously nor
intentionally), and that it has
prevaded and distorted the whole
approach to geriatric care. •
bra. typical modem home, for
example, almost all the rooms
are noli private. No patient 'can
Jock his room even_if it is private.
The loss of privacy is,an
unfortunate -necessity in present,
r , structure(to cope with them well
facilities. It is an artifact of their In other words adaptation for the
methodso. pro lin$,-`:`• ooci"%an& patientisis a relatively short
efficient care. and painless process. It requires
Similarly, once a person iS almost no `effort on his part to
admitted into 'a home his life adapt. Ilis new environment has
becomes .extremely, *hilt been prepared to suit him, and he
unavoidably routinized. He is fits in more or less
wakened and washed arid given automatically.
• medication. •He: eats his meals ' It is a mistift to expect these
from'a tray. Company visits him
same surroun rigs --to fit an "up
at prescribedtimes, and therest and a r,o u n d " patient as,.
.of the. day, he lives with- a comfortably. He is a different
conglomoration of •other''old
type of person than the heavy care
people, whose medical and mental .. patient, with a more complex set
conditions are 'not necessarily of needs. His environment should
compatible with his won. ,,,of
not only the demands
Itis unlikely that livieg in such exerted on it by his handicaps but
a situation would upset a person also by those produced by his
who is bedridden or who' is abilities.
severely disturbed
a A seventy-five year old
,psych.elogically. His • dominant
arthritic for example, ' who is
needs are physical and the Mentally alert -and still quite
average nursing home•is mobile needs more •varied
attention than routine geriatric
Owners and operators of the Goderich Nursing Home in Goderich, Mr. and Mrs. John:Bakker, standing
'right, are seen with staff member Mrs. E. Bradley, Reg. Nurse and (seated) home residents Bessie
Watson and Mrs. Ellen McKellen.--staff photo
•
Haydon
If one thing makes living pleasant, -its fine meals and the residents of Maitland Manor in Goderich
receive�th'e best,treatment possible'in this field through the efforts" of'Cooks Ethel Wardrop, left and
Pauline Marlatt.—staff photo.
. care provides. A person with a
". sound and alert mind has feelings
of is'"ittdividua-lity:•� He y}s,_ua.l.l Y
has a well-defined self concept
^
that generates a desire for some
p'degree ofautonom.y., activity, and.
respect ,from others. It seems
reasonable too, to say that the
intensity of these desires, vary
directly, to an extent, with
ptrys'ic I a r'Iify;' _8.011 Thaf"; �m
needsgeneratedhy these desires
would ,probably ,be felt More.
strongly by active'patients, in
general, than by bedridden ones.
The fact that the importance dr
these special needs is underated
in the existing concept of nursing
home care is, I believve,
fundamentally, responsible for
confining the servicabilit'y' -- of
n•
ursing,,homes. The narrowness
in the concept of care, which has
It takes a staffto make a Nursing Home according to John Bakker, owner of the Goderioh NursingcHomg^
locally and some of that, staff, standing, Brenda Archambault, left, and Joan McDougall are seen with.
-residenl'tucy Campsall. ,
led to a narrow approach to the
children or by themselves has
ended in such a pathetic state of
affairs, that there is no
alternative. The sad -thing is, that
administration of care, is
responsible also for the stigma
which presently adheres to -• the
average man's concept of nursing
homes, and which tends to rub off by this time so much damage has
on its patients. Even the word already been done.
patient,_ 'for example, when Fore,this._ reason the nursing
f old in a
r e eying to an o personGermany is working evidence that heavy cleaning. acid laundry are
nursing home, connotates, to the serious effortto change the public these modifications are both done for him however.)
layman decreptitude with a touch attitude toward it, Much more
of senility. To the roan on the than idle prestige is involved. A feasible and successful. There 'Typically each resident has in
street, the word nursing home positive public attitude, I believe, are many aspects in the -his room, a bed, asofa and one or
smaciisof sickness and finality. is essential if the nursing home is construction and functioning Of two arm chairs, a dinette suite
:When I tell people I've worked ever to realize its potential as -.a this home which demonstrate an' and a small refrigerator.
in nursing homes, they almost Public service, accurate perception of the variety When his MOM becomes the
iArty a r i a ti 1 y make the The soundest and most valuable of old people's needs. ' only private spot a p' rson has,. its ,
•."Comment..: "but isn't it awfully efforts to accompiisk this airrl
a home establishment must make
service group visits or craft
making, sessions. A , broadly.
successful ,e-ar„e.pr'ogram
requires more basic'
modifications ♦ of the present
design '
The Simeon •and Hanna
Aitersstift in: Varel (Oldenburg)
care. All rooms in the Main Ho}Lse
• are private and can be locked. The
rooms are large enough for one
Persson tr a couple,. and _ the.
furniture they need for
themselves and company. Each
resident furnishes his own room
arid keeps rt•.tidy by himself: '(All -
The most obviou,S of these atmosphere and the activity` it '
would u l d .b e h a s e d o"n a m o r e aspects „ is-, the • division. of the allows exert considerable
depressing' . :At is home's
enli htened attitude. toward the structure into • two influence on his oevn activity and
understandable, that a person who g
nursingho e ,tient and old "houses , the Haupthaus (Main mood, I t is, therefore; noteworthy .
has grown old with this attitude, at p ( House} for active people who do'
heart feels anxious and is People in general). as well as a re-
not
P that the room's in the Main House
evaluation of ` the objectives of •not require full 'nursing care or. 'emphasize waking activities, and a
reluctant to commit himself into a J -.supervision, and ,the make possible the entertainm'ebt
nursing home, when the time nursing home care. These efforts Phlegestation (Care Station) for of company for small occasions
comes that he no longer is able to would he directed at •effecting
those_ho._ do. — like afternoon: , rnffee or an b
loocl� after himself. Srmrlar7y, structural changes in future- o . • -
buildin desi - ns and in routines of • Although ' many Main ,House evening glass of wine. Being able
conscientious relatives often g g residents frequent . the .Care to entertain gives a resident • a
hesitatetoplace their parents or care. Only by c'r e a t i n t Station, in order to visit patients feeling of independence and
anyone close to them in.a home, surroundings in which all types of there, or to receive assistance personal Capacity ,that he could
Manyreact. to the idea with patient might find'suitable niches,
will the nursing- home system be for. certain •things' they cannot do not enjoy were he living in, a ward
feelings of guilt, as if they were g alone, such as washing their hair, oreven a private room, designed
•somehow "putting them away". able.to provide more ideal care.
' C t 1 v many a Although this discussion may they do not have to live in thiskind 4 as a bedroom,-
o n s e q u e n of clinical atmos here; • Subtle as
reasonably active ' and alert, 'appear to suggest a financially P Socializing at Simeon and
though somewhat paranoid • old impractical attempt to please it may be. Hanna is 7tth confined
ey to the I
lady has moved intra her son's everybody, this is 'not . so. Its There has been a genuine effort resident'sprivate ' quarters,
home, when she' should no longer intention has been to point out that. made in the Care Station of however p r' ov.i d e a n
live alone. She often leaves for the there is a,tendency to think of good Simeon and Hanna, as there has ' alternative setting for group
care as being something,_ li been in many new Ontario homes, companionship, where as in, our
• ntirsiag home only after the g g ke an A.
aufomatie event; a product'of a to minimize the antiseptic, . "present system .they too often
family life at her. •'sones' hasinstitutional atmosphere that
.-°. become•,se-v=ereiv..disr"ptad�, and.,,,,qualified staff, a• doctor �on call, pprovide the only setting,
ti-°ni�r fnai y.., .,,�r•evad *sw•;..a, tod•et n•' ... .,he._ fee rugs °of nal,.
her daughter-in-law is on the `(departmental approval•from the
verge of• -a nervous breakdown.
Board of ,Health, the Fire facilities. It is realized that when , freedom are reinforced by the
'Too often old people .are admitted-- Marshal). The result has been a a person s mobility is restricted, lack • of restrictions. on visiting
biased administration of service the nature of his immediate hours and on the residents own
into a nursing home as a last' , environment exerts a tremendous activity. Generally, he is free to
resort, usually after living which, in many cases, cannot
elsewhere, such as...with their. balanced by the addition
influence on his mood,".and his come and, go as .he wishes. He is
attitudes toward himself and his requested only 'to notify,^ the
be
°of
AINSLIE3
Home Dressed Select Meat
.P
'WHOLE
Ha
- STEAKiTETYPE
MI
MADE. ER
SA
.tut
SIDE
(111C1116
O'RK.
OR. HALF
m Roasts of Rork
(LEAN)
- FRESH'
NUTE STEAKS
CHOPS.
LSH DAILY
USAGES
Hat FREEZER SPECIAL
S.OF- PORK
Ib.
4
S :RR AKFAS"I' RACt�, , HAM, LOIN AND SHOULDER CHOPS, ROASTS,
SPARE RIRS•'AND SAUSAGES"- ' a
Operator of the Maitland Manor Nutting Home in Godarioh, Bil I Oltman, right, passes the1time of day
with one of the residents at Maitland.Manor, Mrs. • Em'i ly; Gamm who is 94 years of age. Mr,• Oltman
points out, however,”#hat the'aged areonly one group of peopled who are served by the Nursing Hpme
business. staff photo - '
•
Ph�to -story
"•9
by
Ran' S'haw1
life. If, therefore, cannot, be nurses' desk in the Care.StatiOn' if
discounted as an important he will..be very late or gone over- ---
determining factor of his general night. In much the same way as a
level of well being. student in a residence is asked loFor these reasons the setfng of” sign rout with the proctor: T —
the Care Station is made as These people, therefore, are
pleasant a nd a s homey'as recognized •, and treated as
possible. The rooms are bright rational people with special
, and cheerful and, although all , needs. Their needs f o r
"have standard hospital furniture, independance, security; respect.
each patient makes his room • affection and communication, are
more personal b y e d1d n g considered.
possessions such as paintings, It is alsorecognized that on the
photo portraits, and small pieces,.. whole these, people are still very
of furniture to them. Although the able: Consequently they are given
rooms are thoughtfully planned the opportunity to earn a modest
and decorated, however, so are stipend, performing useful tasks
those of well qualified Ontario about the home if they wish' Some -
homes. With the exception of one help with trays, and others with
quite distinctive feature, the Care, the garden, but the majority help ;
Station of Simeon and Hanna, does other residents of°Main House do
not differ considerably from most things they are unable to do
modern •n u• -•r s i n g h o m es in themselves, such as giving them
Ontario. Peye drops, helping them dressaand
The -unusual: feature of. this tidying their rooms. As a result
home is the Liegehalle, a much nursing time in thesheltered patio^in the garden for MainHouse is saved. Although' a
bedridden patients. They are nurse checks throee ifew times •
wheeled out in their beds ft*a few each day, the rdents have
hours each day that the weather shown that they look after each
allows. The Liegehalle is a tonic other quite well.
for these people; most noticeably Besides performing these
for" new patients who have •tasks, almost alt residents in the
previously been in a relative's Main House have come over, on
ham_ c or in the hospital, and. who their .own, at some 'time 'or
for years have riot been outside a another tel the Care Station, to
building:, Next to the idea' of ttaLsisit . • atients there and to do., ,.
Main„.. House the Liegehalle small favours for. them sudh as
"impressed me most as a product write a letter, read to them or guilt. ;
'of sensitive care. an errand. Because of the
The Main House has beenabundant Company right in the Jplanned' and operates On- the jhbime, the patients in they dare
,
assumption that the people living `Station are not dependant .on
there,`ha.e the eapacity.to enjoy 1neomingvisitorstokeep them its
privacy andSome' Measure Of toiraWith external events as 'Outs
eh�e :ease
turn to la 1thrir�ti ►
0