Cavalier response from government

I was appalled to read of the closing of nursing home beds. I cannot comprehend what the Liberal government is thinking. Perhaps they need to be reminded these are not beds, these are people we are talking about here — vulnerable people who rely on society to treat them with care and respect. People who have suffered significant losses, having to give up their home and their independence because they require care. People, that we as a society, should be showing the utmost respect.

Frequently Health P.E.I. and our hospitals are complaining about these people — bed blockers they are called. The hospital complains because they have people waiting who need acute care and Health P.E.I. complains because they are users of the system and cost too much. So now the government is prepared to exacerbate those issues by losing 41 nursing home beds at a time when we need more beds.

These people have had to give up their homes and great effort has been made to make the nursing home as much of a home as is possible. Families have gone through the painful transition and hopefully their family member now feels safe and cared for. More importantly they have developed relationships with their caregivers and feel involved in their care. Now it is suggested they move.

I am so saddened by the cavalier response of the government. We should all be ashamed we do not value our elderly members of society more than this.

Myrt MacNevin, Charlottetown