Giving a Voice AND Transportation to Long Term Care Residents
In Honor Of Mother's Day Week and he Patricia V. Gore Memorial Fund-
"God couldn't be everywhere, so that is why he invented Mothers" Diane Keaton
During the pandemic, a light shone on the needs of those in long term care communities - needs that were long neglected for years until this crisis forced proactivity and action!
In 2021, a myriad of legislative bills and family concerns were discussed on Facebook Live and other platforms, spearheaded by Mairead Painter, Connecticut’s Long Term Care Ombudsman for weeks into months.
It was the beginning of a special alliance with families like never before! How to get access to our loved ones, how to keep residents safe, how to deal with staffing and so many other issues that were critical!
Residents felt trapped, without necessary services, robbed of their security and dignity. It was vital that legislators really understand what it was like from a resident's perspective.
During that critical time, many important legislative bills were introduced including the need to be heard virtually - AN ACT CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOME FACILITIES TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY OF THEIR CHOICE FOR VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS TO FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OTHER PERSONS.
Other examples -
Infection control and staff safety
Establishing an Essential Caregiver Program;
Establishing minimum staffing levels for CNA’s;
Working group to allow video cameras in residents’ rooms;
Care plans reflect mental health needs and access to loved ones;
Increasing the personal needs allowance;
Funding for non-emergency transportation
Statewide policies for visitation;
Prevention social isolation/strengthening the Residents Bill of Rights etc, etc.
Although much progress has been made,since 2021, with Connecicut becoming a national model for all to see, there is still much work to do in 2025’s political and financial climate.
***Among the long standing unfulfilled needs, was no opportunity to participate in the legislative process, luncheons and other dynamic public forums in person due to lack of funding for transportation.
Having a physical presence and the opportunity to be mobile and not confined to a building is so important to all residents!
This is why donations to the Patricia V. Gore Memorial Fund can truly change lives and empower residents now and in the future!
Please consider a donation today! It is truly invaluable!
Be the beacon of light for residents…
TO DONATE- https://portal.ct.gov/LTCOP/Donate-Now
Another Way to Honor - Mom who passed away during the pandemic. She residended just seven monthsin an assisted living community in Connecticut. She ‘did everything right’ in terms of maintaining her safety and following the rules dueto the COVID-19 virus. To address conronic issue, she was transported to the hospital where she worlked in Administration for nearly two decades. She contracted the virus while being trnsported or in the Emergency Room. She was isolated as per the protocol and doing better. However, she got pneumonia and ulitemately her fraile body could nor withstand the illness. On a lonely Thanksgiving Day in 2020, I leaved the news via telephone from my sister that she had passed away with no opportunity to sat goodbye. I brely remember our last conversation! It was one of the worst days of my life. Never saying goodbye to eith parent leaves a lasting impression. As a child with spastic cerebral palsy in the 1950's it was certainly a challengefor my Mom and a full time committment to frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy and a myriad of other resonsibilities with two other children. She in reality, was a true 'essential caregiver' before the term was invented!
A more personal way to honor her. In memory of her 90th birthday, in August 2023, I decided to do something I've always wanted to do - Design a ring with birthstones. , I went to a local jeweler “It's About Time."
I have always been single, without children so this was my unique way of having my vrsion of a mother’s ring.
(See photo below) Left to right - Green -Peridot for her August birthday; In the middle, my birthstone- Blue Topaz or Zircon for December, followed by her death month November - Thanksgivig Day 2020 is the gem stone Topaz. The ring is sterling silver with a lovely design...and a very affordable price!
I love it! I hope she would too!
Warm Regards,
Donna
Other Blogs you might like -
https://donnagore.com/blog/caregivers-for-better-or-for-worse-in-sickness-and-in-health;
