Letter - Response
to Examiner article
I have seen Riverview's quality
of care first hand
Wednesday,
May 10, 2006
I have worked in long
term care for the past 15 years. In my first
13 years, I was a front line worker in a long
term care home. After further education, I
am now doing physiotherapy in four long term
care homes.
The men and women that work
in long term care homes are a very special
breed of people and I have a great respect
for them. I can relate to stresses they have
to endure day to day and the emotional, mental
and physical demands put upon them.
Two of my four homes are OMNI
homes. I visit these homes twice weekly. I
see first hand the quality of care. I have
also seen OMNI’s policy of “zero
tolerance of resident abuse” enforced
very quickly (lack of quality care is considered
abuse). I have seen PSW’s and HCA’s
take care of their residents with great respect,
care and compassion.
To drive to one of my OMNI homes
it take me 1 ½ hours, of which I don’t
mind at all because it is such a pleasure
to work there. The home is friendly, the staff
is willing to go above and beyond what is
expected of them in order to benefit their
residents and this is also the case in the
second OMNI home I visit. I cannot see how
such high standards would take place in these
homes and not in all OMNI homes as they are
all governed by the same policies and goals.
I have had staff approach me
to inquire about ways to help their residents
reach their full potential and have the best
quality of life possible. I have seen staff
sit and talk with residents because they were
feeling lonely, knowing they would have to
stay longer to do the paper work the government
required them to do. I have seen staff take
residents for drives after working a full
shift just so they can get out for a bit.
I have seen staff sit with dying residents
just so they won’t be alone until family
can be there. All of these things take time
away from coffee breaks, lunches and after
work hours, but they still choose to do it.
The interview, published
in the Peterborough Examiner, with Ms.
Hill implies to the public that bad care is
the norm, which in my experience, dealing
with these homes is very far from the truth.
The one thing I will agree with
her on is the government funding, that is
where your story should have been focused.
Funding shortages are creating staffing problems
yes…but not neglect. I see the staff
just reaching deeper inside themselves and
facing whatever is thrown at them with the
same care and compassion they have always
had. As with my other two long term care homes,
I consider myself very fortunate to be able
to work side by side with all the OMNI staff.
So let’s put the focus
back where it should be. Investigate all the
government short comings; inform the public
about the real problems. Let them know the
difference between what government says they
are doing and the truth. I know this doesn’t
make as good a story, but it would be a true
one.
Sincerely Your,
Barbara Ross
Ambulation Plus Physiotherapy
Also See:
Article outrages Riverview staff
Letter - This is not the care we provide in
our home
