EDITORIAL
Once again, the issue of elderly abandonment has raised its ugly head.
In the past, the practice of leaving seniors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital although they have been cleared for discharge – a practice indelicately referred to as “granny dumping” by some – had escalated to a point where it occurred daily and reached a crisis level where it significantly affected the ability of the hospital staff to provide quick and efficient service to those awaiting admission, contributing to long waiting times in the Accident and Emergency Department.
Unfortunately, it appears the practice still takes place, as Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, while speaking in the Upper House, stated that a number of beds on the wards are being occupied by persons, who though no longer ill, are forced to remain at the hospital as there is no one to take responsibility for them. As a result, when patients need to be admitted to the ward, they have to be held in Accident and Emergency (A&E) for sometimes days because there are no beds available.
Dr. Walcott believes that to deal with this problem, more use must be made of the Alternative Care of the Elderly Programme. Under this programme, private nursing homes are paid by Government to look after elderly persons. He lamented that although funds had been made available for use in this programme, only 170 people were in the system for assistance, where there was provision made for 240. He hoped that this would alleviate the bed shortage in the hospital for the short term.
Certainly, the Senator’s suggestion would make a difference in the short term. However, if this problem persists and becomes a more widespread behaviour pattern in society, which is highly likely if Government takes charge and provides care to the abandoned, 70 extra beds will not be enough.
Furthermore, with the country under heavy constraints as it undergoes the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Programme, many may frown at the state and taxpayers being asked to foot the bill for the care of seniors whose families refuse to take responsibility for them. Though one empathises with the elderly in these situations, it is not always feasible to take on the added burden, especially if the numbers increase.
While Dr. Walcott’s proposal can be implemented, there is a need for more to be done to ensure the elderly person’s family stays involved. It takes a village to raise a child and likewise it takes a community of individuals and interest groups to provide suitable solutions to elderly care. Government cannot be expected to do it alone. A combined effort that includes the strong arm of the Royal Barbados Police Force and the backing of the local legislature is a step in the right direction, but there also needs to be a change made in the attitude and behaviour of the individuals who behave so atrociously as to abandon a family member. The thought of possible repercussions may cause pause, but there could be more done to educate people on the options available and the results of their actions on others.
We look forward to seeing a change in behaviour and an alleviation of this problem as it stands at present.