Elderly should be given priority at times of distress

Editorial Department • Published 17 Sep 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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The imminent closure of Drumhaw Residential Home in Lisnaskea is sure to be accelerated following the exodus of one of its most outspoken residents this week and more expected to follow next week.

One of the residents who become one of the most vigorous campaigners to retain the Western Trust managed home, Bob Barnett(90), finally bowed to the inevitable yesterday and moved the short distance to Gortacharn Care Home, deeply upset over this upheaval in his life.

It’s believed that another six elderly residents will leave Drumhaw next week, leaving just around another half dozen residents remaining. That will then present the Western Trust with a totally uneconomical situation and force the closure of the home finally.

Some observers say this emotive subject has not been a recent issue, but is a result of decisions taken several years ago by previous health trusts and the Western Health Board when three public sector residential homes for the elderly were in operation; Drumhaw, Silverhill and Coleshill. A fourth home, Devenish House, catered for the learning disabled community.

Now it is estimated that when three residential homes for the elderly once served a total occupancy of around 100, they are being replaced by at least 17 facilities, some of them accommodating more than the total of the three.

This reflects the changing society where we have more older people in our communities. In addition to those we know who are residents of these homes, there are many others willing and able to stay in their own homes, thanks to the enormous support of their families and often with little input from social services teams.

It means that the dependence on care for the elderly has moved away from government and towards the private sector where home owners who are often paid through the proceeds arising from the sale of an elderly person’s home.

The transfer of residents from Drumhaw to other residential homes has been played out in a rather undignified way, with residents putting up as much opposition as they could muster against a rather intransigent health trust.

Surely if there was to be a policy of public sector home closures, let them come out and say it but at the same time, make the transition for the elderly moving to a new home, a smooth one without the risk of upsetting or inconveniencing them.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Sep 10

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