Battle Burnout
More and more campaigners are finding themselves facing Battle Burnout. People like Jenny Moore who has fought for 7 years to have the voices of elderly people heard. Carol Dimon, Ruth Ablett,Karen Armstrong,Christina Taylor,Joanne Fowler, and many others have fought for years to ensure change happens. I am questioning my efforts too. Who will listen to me if they have not listened to the staunch battlers above? I am pretty sure I know the answer. ( ITV will, still, but again after the programme is made and aired and becomes a distant memory, nothing will change)
It’s absolutely disgusting that even when people do listen, nothing happens.
How can it be acceptable for elderly people to literally rot away behind closed doors, poorly fed and watered, wearing other people’s clothes, being left dirty?
It is not and something must change.
If the Government and social services won’t make the difference then the responsibility must fall to us in society.
Look up from your devices and look at elderly people in your locality. Prevention is better than poor care! help them stay at home, help them stay well and independent, stop them feeling depressed.
This could be as little as a cup of tea with them twice a week or a quick phone call. Take someone shopping, cook them a meal, tidy the house or garden.
We are all busy but we can all do something if we put our minds to it and make that conscious decision that we WILL make a difference.
Volunteer in a care home near you, offer to help at meal times, sit and chat to residents. Help take the pressure off the good carers who leave the sector in droves because they can’t cope with the pressure and the fact the elderly are being failed.
Knit some twiddle muffs or memory blankets, let people know about the free dementia items, thermometers, just do something.
This crisis is wholly unacceptable and if those who have the power to effect positive change won’t, then WE must.
End of rant …..for now, xx
