A waste of resources and happiness
Government is making two families unhappy for no reason. One wants out, another wants in
The recent story about Jim and Barbara Munves and their separation forced by the government should be of concern to everyone. Who knew that the government has the power to jail you for life at precisely the time when one of the remaining pleasures of life is being together with your life partner.
Clearly there are circumstances when government intervention is called for. Single elderly persons with no family support and suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other disabilities clearly need a guardian to assist them.
Even so, the usual verdict, the commitment to a nursing home that offers a limited exit ward, has aspects that are similar to a jail run by kind people. I have designed nursing homes, some with closed Alzheimer’s wards and I know that their staff is dedicated and kind, making the best possible efforts to make their wards happy. Still, the idea that I might sometime in the future end my days in such an enclosed place is truly frightening to me and makes me seriously consider other options such as assisted suicide.
I find it curious that the current thinking here on P.E.I. seems to be safety for the patient rather than providing quality and dignity of life. This does not have to be the case. In Denmark, for instance, institutions are simply not allowed to restrict the movements of their Alzheimer patients.
If a patient decides to wander, they are either accompanied by a staff if needed or possibly equipped with a tracker, all dependent on the needs of the patient, not the convenience of the nursing home staff and rules.
I think the government should re-examine their policies, and if opening their wards is not possible, at least be more open to flexible rules and accommodations. For instance, partners like Jim, who I personally know to be a very capable person, should be able to maintain the authority to do what is best for his partner, with no interference from the government.
Other couples may need more help and nursing homes should be able to accommodate them as well, being able to offer adjoining bedrooms for couples as well as liberal and assisted opportunities to leave the facility for any good reason.
Aside from all other concerns, it is also a fact that good nursing care is hard to come by. There are long waiting lists to get into their care and the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home seems to be on the top of the list for many. I have been there myself recently and was impressed with the friendly and caring staff and environment.
So, Barbara Munves is occupying a bed that is needed by many others. Yet she is not allowed to join her husband at home, even though he has the ability and means to hire help as needed. From my viewpoint, the government is making two families unhappy for no reason: The Munves, who desperately want to be out of there; and the other family that is desperately waiting to get in. What a waste of resources and happiness.