HIGH MARKS FOR HOME CARE SERVICES

Almost two years ago, my wife’s father passed, and we took in her mother who had medical and agerelated issues that prevented her from being able to continue to live on her own. Our goal was to give her a comfortable, safe and familyoriented living environment at this difficult stage of her life.

Though my wife and I, and my wife’s sister, do the best we can to provide a comfortable, caring and engaging life for her, we would not be able to achieve and maintain this goal without the help of home-care services.

Our appreciation for this service can be expressed at two levels.

First, after listening to the medical care rhetoric from the United States for the past number of years, where millions have difficulty accessing and paying for basic medical care, we should all be thankful that we, and our aging loved ones, have access to medical and personal care services such as those provided by home care services.

We should not take that for granted and recognize, and appreciate, that these are our tax dollars at work providing for a very vulnerable sector of our population. We should be thankful that we have a system of government that embraces a range of policies so often disparaged in the U.S. as “socialism.”

Secondly, (in this letter, but first in our hearts) are the home-care workers themselves. They not only provide essential personal care for those who have difficulty caring for themselves, and respite for stressed family members, but they do so efficiently and professionally, and more importantly, with genuine care, compassion and companionship.

The latter cannot be overstated. Home care workers visit my mother-in-law daily, and while they are with her, I hear constant conversation, frequent laughter, and many words of care, kindness and understanding. These people are some of the nicest people I have ever met and, though they have tough jobs and difficult work conditions — particularly in these trying times, they are always quick with a smile and friendly banter.

I know I am not alone in giving a heartfelt shout out to home care services and the people that work there - from accommodating coordinators to the fabulous front-line people that visit my home every day.

As well, looking at the bigger health-care picture, during recent visits to my doctor’s office and local hospitals I was treated with exceptional professionalism and courtesy. I was also thoroughly impressed with how these offices and facilities have developed and adhered to physical adaptations and process protocols that allow these essential services to be so aptly, and safely, provided in the middle of a pandemic.

I think we should all step back and recognize that, though our health-care system has some warts, we have ready access to professional care and services, and caring, competent professionals that are the envy of many places in this world. Ken MacLeod

Sydney