Heartfield: We need better ways to care for those with dementia
Heartfield: We need better ways to care for those with dementia
There’s been a 48 per cent increase in the number of Ontarians with dementia since 2010. This wave is going to change all our lives.
The problem is that the Boomer generation is now getting hit with all the normal age-related degenerative diseases, including those that cause dementia. The demographics mean that we just don't have enough younger people to look after them, and it's going to get worse before it gets better. ☹️
While spending their time in power cutting social programs like the good neoliberals they are. Hoisted by their own petard, except the rest of us now get to pay the price as usual.
My only hope is that by the time I might need these services in 30-ish years (fingers crossed), necessary investments will have been made, likely after a series of avoidable tragedies...
Meanwhile, I pray my own elder family members don't end up with a severe cognitive impairment as, having seen the decline of my own grandmother, the idea of caring full time for an elder is terrifying and the long-term care environments that do exist are not healthy places to live out the remainder of one's life.
My own family has looked into living wills after the care of my grandfather in decline, some of it at home. That may be something for you to look into to help anyone who would become responsible for you in such a situation.
Limiting dementia's harmful intentions is exhausting.
We NEED to get software, or robots, or something doing it for people.
If not, then we're essentially sentencing a growing percentage of our population to being the full-time-keepers of brainrotted people, doubly damaging our country's viability.
The mental-health costs put on the carers needs to be a concern.
Software+carer or robot+carer is less burden to the carer, you know?
Lighten the load.
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I would argue that caring for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s is a specialized skill set, and that most people don’t have those skills but become forced into situations that can lead to elder abuse and devastating mental health consequences.
Even basic home care for someone with mobility issues is well beyond what can be expected from untrained amateurs forced into caregiving. Seemingly simple things like cleaning up after soiling, shower assist, lift assist, etc, require skill and physical fitness. Non-professionals should be neither trusted nor expected to do that kind of critical care work, nor should our elders be satisfied with those forms of basic dignity a couple times a week.