Gratitude to those at the coalface of caring

If this letter seems biased, please forgive me before I start. As an 81-year-old man, my life has been to satisfy my own will, regardless of the consequences.

Over the years, I have visited many terminally ill people in hospitals, as well as elderly people in retirement homes, bringing words of encouragement and trying to reignite hope wherever possible.

Now, I am the one who lives in a retirement home, in Alexandria. Today, recalling words of the CEO of the national corporation where I started my working career inspires me: “I go to the person in the lowest position to find out what is most needed among my staff.”

He said it was no good projecting a positive image on the outside if those on the ground were in any way disgruntled.

This is where my gratitude starts. Yes, we pay for board and lodging, but we cannot buy respect. Being in this home has been a wake-up call for me to appreciate the personnel on the ground.

Cleaners: Thank you for dealing with our inability to perform life’s basic tasks.

Laundry: We don’t often see where they work but they wash and iron and clean clothes and linen makes us feel good.

Garden staff and technical contractors - from the electrician, plumber, builder and TV repair man to the painter: the gardens look good and technicians are always willing to walk the extra mile.

Kitchen staff: the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. The chef and all those under him give of their wonderful talents.

Carers: Sympathetic listeners and multi-taskers who slot in to the call of those in need – they are a breath of fresh air.

Nursing staff: Because of their caring hearts, they are available for emergency calls, soothing the body from aches and pains, dressing wounds, administering medication and lending a sympathetic ear.

Administration: The spokes in the huge wheel where everything is held together. The wonders performed are due to the gifts from God of love, kindness and longsuffering which goes to make the Home a blessing.

Also: the board members and those who work behind the scenes; those who knit warm blankets for other homes; the charities, businesses and farmers who step in to ease the hardship of inflation: Lions, Round Table, Chamber of Business, Lotto, The Lodge (Freemasons), farmers, butchers, supermarkets and hardware stores. You fill the gap where many of us pensioners come short and we may not always be aware of your generosity.