Even though the message from the government has changed ever so slightly, my life hasn’t! I’m still only going out when I have to (every second week for groceries!) and haven’t been to the garden centre as yet, which would have been my ‘unessential’ legal journey. I’m still only exercising once a day.
My time management skills, since I’ve become a ‘lady of leisure’, have deteriorated quite dramatically. Throw in lockdown, for weeks, and they are non-existent! Every day I promise myself that I’ll spend at least two hours in the garden, weather permitting. Alas, by the time I’ve had breakfast, answered emails, filled in my diary, watched the news over my second mug of coffee, washed and dressed, gone for a walk, had lunch and tidied the kitchen, it’s after 2:00 pm. I try to type a chapter of my novel every day. That usually takes about an hour. I also try to do a ‘remote’ exercise class and watch the daily Coronavirus update at 5:00 pm.
Currently I have to chose between typing my novel or working in the garden. I’m not managing both. And to make matters worse, I’m not even too concerned, but slightly embarrassed! There is no excuse stuck at home all day! But I seem to blink and lose an hour or two! Maybe lockdown is finally getting to me! Maybe I am becoming, slowly but surely, apathetic?
I hope not, but I’ll work on that tomorrow!
However, what really makes my blood boil is when I hear the government not telling the truth about their support of care homes! I don’t spend my time running the government down. I doubt anyone in power in this country could have done much better! But when I hear from one of the carers who has stayed in contact with me since my mother passed away in March, I really get wound up!
There is a huge problem getting enough and the correct personal protection equipment (PPE). They are also experiencing difficulty getting testing done. Two fundamental requirements during this pandemic and yet, as discovered over the last few weeks, so many residents in care homes have died! This is unacceptable and inexcusable!
Care homes have always been the poor relation! Our local council, in the five years my mother was in a care home, had either cut or certainly didn’t cover, all residents expenses! My mother had to sell her home to pay the exorbitant fees and I am convinced, supplemented those residents in social care! I am also aware that privately owned care homes have to cover their costs and make a profit. It’s a fine balance!
I have seen, first hand, the staffing problems experienced. To fill vacancies I have been horrified when trying to speak to agency staff unable to speak English! I have also been humbled by some wonderful carers who treat residents as if they were their own family!
These ‘caring angels’ who nursed my mother so lovingly and patiently are now expected to put their lives, and those of their loved ones and the frail residents, at risk. I have heard that doctors sent ill, aged people to care homes to free beds for potential Covid patients. Many were not tested. Why were their lives any less valuable than the rest of the population?
I am hoping that this is a wake up call! This awful virus has brought this country to its knees, but maybe, albeit inadvertently, it could have left one positive legacy?
Care homes need to be brought into the twenty first century. This is where a large number of our beloved family members spend their final days. My mother was in a care home because I physically and mentally couldn’t care for her. She was placed in the hands of strangers. As a family we hoped and prayed that our mother would be given the best possible care.
My family were lucky. Our mother passed away peacefully with me at her bedside. Thousands of families weren’t! I hope that this pandemic has finally highlighted this gross injustice and huge inadequate funding and support deficit! These wonderful carers, who are barely paid a minimum wage, should be treated with the dignity and respect they treat our loved ones!
I’m still soldiering on trying to take one day at a time, keeping the water (or sometimes gin) in my glass half full. Today the sun is shining. This evening I’ve arranged a barbecue, just the two of us, but outside enjoying the garden and the good weather. Tomorrow will be another day ….👠
Jenny Burrell 