Hello, I am a caregiver, personally and professionally, and an artist currently working on a residency within a large university collaborating with the school of nursing with a focus on geriatric care.
Through all of these inlets I have experienced a lack of cohesive community in long term and residential care communities; a separating of roles and shortsightedness about human needs and basic social skills, especially with the higher paid white collar office staff and the more specialized medical professionals. It seems to me an impossible burden falls on the bedside caregivers, who are paid well below minimum wage (and who are often caregivers outside of this work), at the expense of those they are caring for, and rifts of understanding between families, office staff, and all.
My art work is aiming to refresh empathy by offering general audiences a chance to embody a limited physical ability, to depend on the assistance of others for basic needs like dressing oneself, and underlining healthy touch. I would love to offer information to audience, and myself, about organizations that are exploring similar concerns and are working proactively. I know of a few excellent outlets for social support network such as this, but I am wondering if people know of any social organizing or fundraising around these concerns?
Thank you
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I'm not sure what the answer is as long as there are tons of people willing to work for a pittance.
Thanks for your message.
This is not going to improve. If I am here to 85, my youngest will be 50, the oldest 58. They are at this point single so will not be quitting jobs to care for me.
Our health system has to change.
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How is this happening in a facility with office staff? If they are truly breaking the law, then please report it. https://employment.findlaw.com/wages-and-benefits/how-to-report-wage-and-hour-violations.html
As far as who is working to change things, I have been interested in The Eden Alternative for a while now:
https://www.edenalt.org/
"The Eden Alternative® is an international, non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating quality of life for Elders and their care partners, wherever they may live. Through education, consultation, and outreach, we offer person-directed principles and practices that support the unique needs of different living environments, ranging from the nursing home to the neighborhood street."
Thank you for the tip on Eden Alternative tip. I Will look into that! Yes!