By MITCHELL ROSEN
July 11, 2009
There are a lot of unsung heroes in our culture.
The health worker who lives in another family's home to help take care of a chronically ill child or an elder with Alzheimer's disease.
Of course, there are good and bad individuals in every profession. I realize this. Yet time and time again I see people, often from other cultures, that live with families and help them care for the grandmother with Alzheimer's or the grandfather whose stroke has left him without independence.
There are all kinds of labels that are used. Nurse's aide, health care assistant, live in; doesn't matter what you call them, their work is never ending and many of these people are among the most compassionate and kindest.
It is a separate column to speculate if we have abandoned the elderly and sick in our nation. Some feel praising those who assist families may somehow deflect the criticism that needs to be leveled on those who willfully neglect their own. The purpose of this article, however, is to acknowledge the workers, some legal some illegal who work 10, 12, or 14 hours a day giving love and care to those who may not even remember.
The health care worker who comes into a home, often to live and take care of a relative with Alzheimer's disease, has an impossible job. Maybe they make $9 an hour. If you factor in the time spent in the evenings, it is half of that. They do the jobs few others are willing to attempt. Changing diapers, lifting adults in and out of baths, feeding individuals who may be angry, disoriented or non-compliant; these are among their tasks.
I'm not aware they belong to any union. Their jobs become their lives and the families they care for becomes the only family they will be around. Rarely do they speak of their parents or their own children. Some of us may rationalize "Why they're lucky to have a job. In their country the average wage is a third of what we pay them." These statements are reminiscent of the sentiments of slave owners in the United States before the civil war. Instead of feeling guilty we pretend we are being benevolent.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Press Enterprise.com
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Now and again, I like to post an article that support the wonderful work done by tireless carers for the aged. We often hear about the few "bad appless" in the care industry as they get the usual media spotlight.
I am in agreement with the author of the above article. The unsung heroes in Aged Care - be live-in carers or over-worked case-managers; deserve our support and praise. They are special people who can do what many of us cannot.
To all these wonderful people: A Special Thank You.
................................. AC
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