Negative images and stories depicting western civilization's penchant for warehousing its vulnerable elderly in Darwinian long-term care institutions abound in the media.
It is easy to get caught up in tales of uncaring staff drugging old folks to keep them quiet and compliant, or abusing and neglecting their needs in a myriad of horrifying ways.
Seldom to surface are the good news stories, the bright spots that show caring and creative staff going out of their way to ensure the waning years of the elderly aren't just an endless progression of days putting in time.
From outward appearances, Battlefords District Care Centre, with its hulking presence lurking on the fringes of the community, doesn't seem to be a warm, friendly place. But recent photos submitted by the recreation staff there, and other reports indicating community support for the residents' comfort and entertainment, tell a different story.
During this amazingly mild winter, the recreation staff decided a little outdoor living would put a spark into the life of their charges. With that idea in mind they arranged a wiener roast on a balmy Jan. 4 day that was attended by 30 residents. From the photos it appears the folks gathered around the bonfire are having a fine time.
It is doubtful the wiener roast was an isolated incident at BDCC, and every day in long term care facilities throughout the region, staff, community members and family are working together to ensure quality of life for residents.
Every week in the pages of this newspaper, if readers delve into the wide ranging reports from rural communities, can be found evidence of bingos hosted, music played, sing songs led, pets shared and children interacting with the elderly.
But, as with many aspects of this modern age, the good is almost always superseded by the not so good. Creative ideas to improve the life of residents will ultimately be ploughed aside when a complaint is launched about some aspect of an individual's care.
Too seldom do we think to say thank you for the good things. Take the time to do so if you have a loved one in long-term care and you see the staff going out of their way to make that individual's life a little brighter. Gratitude will only make them strive harder.
