Celebrate the good long-term care staff

Re: Why is it taking you so long to die? Sept. 29

Our mother, who had severe dementia and recently died, spent the better part of the last nine years in the care of Peter D. Clark (bungalows and houses), so we feel we can speak to this issue. Although we could not be there 24 hours a day, we visited regularly, and we were extremely pleased with the care she received.

We also observed dedicated staff working very hard with what appeared to be limited support, and a huge administrative burden.

Are there problems with the system? Yes. Is what happened a reportable event? Yes. Does sensationalizing it the way the Citizen did help resolve anything? No.

Everyone knows what a big part of the answer is, but governments are not willing to take the steps needed to properly resource these facilities. The mayor of Ottawa and other councillors are outraged. However, being “outraged” is no solution, and neither are more studies and administrative burdens.

Instead of focusing only on the bad, how about showing a little support for the many dedicated personal support workers and long-term care health-care workers who do not behave badly? Maybe start with a front-page story featuring the good that these workers do.

As we age, we are going to need a lot more of them. Marilyn Nicholl, Manotick Francis Ruggiero, Limoges