We talk about it a lot. Media reports of how residents are suffering in some places. Exposing these situations is a good thing.
Fortunately, this only concerns certain establishments. The social council where I live listens attentively to all the difficulties, they become aware of. According to their resources and by working with the people in charge they hasten to improve negative situations. The resident does not want things to be difficult. Difficulties come from their loss of autonomy and their advanced age. To live in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) requires trust. Collective living is complicated when you are used to living in your home. Are there ways to make things better? Even if life in an LTCF comes with many small annoyances, it is also a hub of benevolence, respect, and proximity.
I would like to praise all the professionals working to create a place for us where we feel at ease. When I meet people in the hall or elsewhere it gives me pleasure to note the caring gestures and kind words that help a person get through life: moving people from place to place so that the greatest number possible can attend and be present for activities, well positioned, and able to hear. So many fraternal gestures on the part of those in charge and the health care aids; I witnessed how carefully they prepared the birthday party of a resident who never has visitors. The person was very touched, and their overall health has improved since living here.
Other positive benefits come from the “orange sweaters”, the wonderful young people who do community service and take care of us as if we were family.
I don’t want anyone to be left off the long list of all those who help create a much-appreciated atmosphere in our LTCFs, certainly also appreciated by residents who are unable to express themselves.
Allow me to give a central place to nurses, health care aids, and professionals who work intimately with each person as they give them personal and medical care and more. Professionals who are also in relationship with families, who accompany life right until death; it is a long and difficult accompaniment that they do as best they can, with competence, humanity, and proximity. I want to assure them of our understanding during such difficult times.
Much too briefly, I have tried to bring out some of the benevolent actions, proximity and respect that is lived in our Residence/LTCF.
THANK YOU to all the people in charge and to those who are in professions less visible, but very useful, so that our LTCFs continue to be places of fraternity, no matter what is being said. Happiness is expressed in a special way in dance and song because joy has no age in the hearts of us residents.
A BIG THANK YOU, grateful to all the people who move the boat gently and surely ahead!
Thank you everyone! Thank you to Life!
May Life, our lives sing THANK YOU!
Sister Marie-Louise SUFFISSAIS, sscj Rennes
A resident for the last 4 years