Long-term care homes get a bad rap: Port Hope resident

Life in Extendicare a positive experience


To the editor:

When it comes to long-term care in the media, the stories are mostly negative. This can create fear in the minds of those who may be looking at long-term care as an option in their future.

For the past year-and-a-half, I have been a resident in long-term care at Extendicare Port Hope, and I can tell you that the media gives it a bad rap. There are many positive aspects to living in a long-term care facility, such as: Having dedicated professional help around when you need it, be it simple assistance for our everyday needs or more complex nursing care; and administrative personnel working behind the scenes on our behalf.

Staff in long-term care facilities are always working to meet the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of residents. As a resident, this brings me a sense of comfort, plus a real sense of family.

Staff care about what happens in our lives and they will go to any lengths to help us achieve our goals and make our lives worthwhile. During my stay at Extendicare Port Hope, I have and continue to be involved in various activities such as co-creating and participating in an empathy training for staff and residents, our monthly food and resident councils as well as fun and fitness programs that are held daily.

Long-term care is a happy place with many activities, full of many interesting people. I, for one, am comfortable with my decision to enter long-term care and I would like to encourage other people to look for the good in long-term care rather than focus on a few bad apples.

Arlene Brown,
Extendicare Port Hope


This story was originally published by Northumberland News, June 14, 2018.