Long-term care, displacement and ‘settling in’
“Settling in” is a term commonly heard when someone is admitted to long-term care. It is quite typical to hear, “He/she will settle in with time.” “Some settle in more quickly than others.”
Inevitably, throughout the course of life, we all experience having to settle into various situations — situations and circumstances related to choices we make, such as changing schools, changing jobs or professions, moving to a new town or country, etc.
These are all situations that may require one to consciously settle in with time based on choices we have made. To have settled in denotes a tone of general contentment, satisfaction and peace of mind.
However, the truth of the matter is that many residents in long-term care do not truly settle in as such, but essentially find themselves in a situation in which they have to, more or less, force themselves to adjust or just “make the best of it” because they feel as though they really have no other choice.
The situation is even more challenging when residents are displaced in long-term care, as I have witnessed and experienced firsthand when my mother, upon being initially admitted to long-term care, was displaced to a most inappropriate unit.
I know that this unfortunate type of situation applies to others in long-term care. There is no way that residents who are displaced could or should ever be expected to settle in to an inappropriate environment not conducive to their required level of care. If anything, leaving a resident in a stressful environment, not appropriate to their cognitive ability and perception, only serves to negatively impact their mental state and thus accelerate cognitive decline.
Numerous studies serve to validate this point. Furthermore, the stress on the family of a displaced resident is another factor not taken into consideration by those responsible for placing residents in long-term care facilities.
I was subjected to multiple stresses resulting in sleep deprivation, weight loss, and emotional and physical pain. Thankfully, divine guidance led me to meet a couple of other indi- viduals who had had family members displaced in long-term care. One lady shared with me that she had to take a leave of absence from her job, just as I did, due to the constant struggle and stress in trying to get her parent appropriately placed.
Another told me that after a few nights of not getting any sleep because of her insurmountable and valid concern for her father, who was displaced, she felt helpless and beside herself and was ”fit to be tied” — a horrendous experience for her, no doubt. As for me, at times I felt as though I was turning into an emotional volcano with a weakened sense of self and a crushed spirit. A nightmare I so badly wanted to wake up from.
Being admitted into long-term care is challenging enough outside of being displaced. And seniors should never be expected to even try to “settle in” to any environment not acceptable nor conducive to their needs, no more than you or I should be expected to settle into any given unacceptable environment. Displacing residents in long-term care is an assault on human dignity and selfworth. Could it not even be considered a form of mental cruelty? I do know that it is certainly disturbing to observe. I thought of how I would feel as an elderly person in such a situation — helpless and defenseless while trying in some possible way to cope day in and day out. Furthermore, I couldn’t help but notice that some displaced residents, who I guess have no one to advocate for them, seem to be left in such a predicament indefinitely — very sad!
The fact is that seniors should never be placed anywhere in long-term care just for the sake of putting them somewhere within the system. To do so reflects limited perception.
And even if it is eventually realized that a resident is displaced, then that resident has to wait until, hopefully, a more appropriate space becomes available, meaning another stressful move for the resident.
Residents in long-term care need to be validated, respected and thus initial- ly placed in an environment with others who more or less display the same cognitive capacity and ability, allowing for some degree of meaningful interaction and rapport amongst the residents. If not, some of the seniors can find themselves in a rather disheartening predicament, serving to intensify and exacerbate their loneliness and stress from being within the confines of long-term care.
Eastern Health, and all those involved in placing seniors in long-term care facilities, please, please consider the seriousness and repercussions of initially displacing residents. It is imperative to acknowledge the importance of treating seniors with the dignity, respect and sensitivity that they truly deserve. I have no doubt that by applying some prudence and heart and soul, this situation can indeed improve for the sake of the residents as well as their families.
A most pleasant and blessed spring and summer to all seniors in long-term care and retirement homes. You surely have a distinct place in my heart and prayers.