LoneWolf Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I dont know how many would have taken the trouble to read the full page eulogy for Bob Mawson in this week's Independent. Bob died at Nobles at the age of 82. He had led quite a life as a business man running his own butcher shops he had been a MGP competitor and more importantly was a WW2 veteran who was a leading member of the Burma Star Association. Most of the, now old men, who are members of that association went through hardships the rest of us can only imagine. In my opinion we owe a debt to those people. Not just those who fought in Burma but to the whole generation. These are the people who fought WW2, built the welfare state, established the Health Service and much much more. Bob was a local man who eptimised that generation. They are now being treated badly, IMHO, by our Government. Did you know state funding for the care of old people is set at one quarter of the funding for the care of children ? [That is per head not in total.] yet the needs of old people are equal to if not greater than those of children. Old people who fall ill may need intensive nursing or they may need assistance with little things such as dressing or getting to the shops or doing basic housework. They may need residential care or may have to give up their homes and move into a nursing home. This is an election year. Couldnt we help to make the funding of care for the elderly an election issue. After all, we all stand to benefit from it one day. In the case of Bob Mawson's generation, the Government had promised them care from the cradle to the grave. That promise has not been delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studmuffin Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I agree, not sure if you watched or if it has been mention about the Tony Robinson programme "me and my mum" think it was called, just highlighted the shocking way we treat the elderly and the difference between being in a home and sheltered housing, the guys in the sheltered housing looked like they were having a great time compared with dying slowly in an old folks home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Flynn Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I have a connection with the Ellan Vannin Residential Home in that I take turns with other church people to conduct services for the residents, usually once a month. For instance I took a Good Friday service today. So here the spiritual welfare of the residents is cared for as well as their physical needs. It is a very happly place. It is good to see a home where the elderly are well treated and the staff really care - something which I am sure is common in other establishments as well. I have personal experiences through family of Elder Grange and Springfield where the care is second to none. I believe the care of the elderly is a prime consideration for any Government and funding, resources etc must be put in place to ensure they get the best possible treatment and care whether they are at home, in sheltered accomodation, residential/nursing care or hospital - with appropriate funding for palliative care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caringwife Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 I agree, not sure if you watched or if it has been mention about the Tony Robinson programme "me and my mum" think it was called, just highlighted the shocking way we treat the elderly and the difference between being in a home and sheltered housing, the guys in the sheltered housing looked like they were having a great time compared with dying slowly in an old folks home Slightly ot but did anyone see 'how to have a good death' the other week? About the big difference in care depending on which condition a person has. Those 'lucky' to have cancer get excellent care, those with lung or heart disease die a painful lonely death. After all, who wants to be seen raising money for the British Lung Foundation for instance? Cancer seems so much more fashionable. I know from personal experience too that the elderly are just sent home from hospital after an illness with no follow up care or help at all, and not bothered if they are going home to an empty house with nobody to help, do people hope they will just disappear into thin air? Dont forget those that dont live in sheltered accom or a residential home, not everyone wants to live there but there is very little or often no care at all for those who choose to live alone. Its about time too that the government realised there is more than one disease than cancer, does anyone know that patient escorts off island are being stopped/banned by this wonderful government except for cancer patients, a few of which wont require escorting? God help anyone who needs an escort for medical reasons and cant afford the plane fare. Perhaps this should be a thread in its own right though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleur Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 I dont know how many would have taken the trouble to read the full page eulogy for Bob Mawson in this week's Independent. He was a lovely person. R.I.P. Bob from a couple of old Conister Club members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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