More consideration should be given to the elderly in their golden years

More consideration should be given to the elderly in their golden years — Palms matron

Nov 03, 2017 News

Old age is a sensitive phase; elderly people need care and comfort to lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety. However this, according to Matron Deborah Murphy, is not the reality of many residents of the Palms Geriatric

Residents of the Palms partake in a month of the elderly activity.

Home.
Matron Murphy is a retired nurse, who is attached to the State-owned senior citizen dwelling facility.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, following an activity hosted in observance of elderly persons, Matron Murphy spoke candidly about their needs, and particularly residents of the geriatric home.
According to Murphy, the needs of the elderly became more impressed upon her after she became an employee of the Palms, a few months ago.
She said that based on her observation, improvement of a person’s psychological health is crucial as he/she advances with age.
In this regard, Murphy noted that the maintenance of family contact is critical to how older persons approach the continuation of the aging process.
“The need for contact with relatives is almost essential to elderly persons having and maintaining a healthy old age.”
“We have a situation here at the Palms, where persons have families but they don’t check on them as they should.”
These people tend to believe that family does not want them and that‘s the reason they are here, and that is not necessarily the case. If the relatives would keep contact with them or visit just once in month, especially on special occasions, it would make such a difference.”
The matron bemoaned the fact that many of these persons would served society one way of the other, but are not getting the attention they need in their golden years.
“Some of them are placed here after they can no longer care for themselves or they sign the documents relinquishing property and other possession to their loved ones.”
She emphasized on the need for change in the manner in which society views older persons.
Matron Murphy stressed, “Whether society acknowledges it or not, we are actually standing on the backs of the elderly, so in the late stages of their lives, I believe older persons deserve to be treated better. They deserve our love and respect.”
As such, Murphy issued a call for the possible services to be available to the aging population. Speaking specifically about the residents of the Palms, Murphy noted, too, the need for more activities which relate to the physical well-being of residents.
“I think the residents could do with exposure to more outdoor activities, exercise is good for those who still have their mobility and I think they should be able to go on tours more often.”
Earlier this year, some $58 million dollars was allotted for infrastructural works to be conducted to improve the Palms.
According to the Director of Social Services in the Ministry of Social Protection, Wentworth Tanner, the home was also set to benefit from improved care services.
He noted also that plans are discussed to collaborate with the Night Shelter to have residents of the Shelter treated at the infirmary when it is completed. The Palms is currently home to some 200 residents.