Care confusion
Re: The lovely independent 91-year-old and her troubles with Mid Central District Health Board and its home care policy.
I am delighted she has spoken out and gone to the media as it appears to be the only way to get things put right these days.
The Whanganui District Health Board operates the same policy - that is, if you can shower yourself you do not get home cleaning.
How they can marry two completely different needs together is beyond me.
For most people, showering is a private matter, not something one wants to have another person help with. Perhaps this is a deliberate ploy to keep people from getting the assistance they require.
Having had a total shoulder replacement, I did require someone to help with showers for a few weeks. But as soon as I could, I said I would do it myself. I was then informed that if I did not need showering, I would not get home cleaning.
At that stage, I could not do my clothes washing, hang it out, make the bed, wash floors, etc. I either had to keep the showering I did not require or lose the cleaning I did require.
Home care seems not only difficult to access and organise but inflexible as well, wasting resources where they aren't needed.
I would again ask the hospital to look carefully at how these packages are arranged and funded.
FIONA DONNE
Aramoho
Cemetery solace
I was privileged to travel to the Aramoho Cemetery in a funeral cortege, and was again reminded how people along the way show their respect by pulling over and waiting until the hearse passes.
Out-of-town mourners are pleasantly surprised by this and it's a lovely thing to witness their reaction at the courtesy shown to the deceased.
On to the cemetery, which is the jewel in the crown of Aramoho and, indeed, Whanganui, being so colourful and immaculate and a comfort to those who leave their loved ones there. Those who look after it have a real passion and feeling for the place.
Which brings me to the new block just opened which has been given to contractors to look after, not to the cemetery staff. The difference, even at this early stage, is obvious. I, and I'm sure others, would be saddened to see standards slip.
In the meantime, I offer a heartfelt thank you to those who look after the place where my loved ones lie. Those who grieve can find solace there in the park-like surroundings and perhaps only those who have lost someone precious to them really appreciate that fact.
PAM ERNI
RD 2, Whanganui
Victim support
Thank you, Mark Dawson, for your editorial on November 29.
As a former domestic violence victim advocate, it was interesting to note in my statistics that approximately 20 per cent of the victims referred from police arrests were men.
The White Ribbon Day, while excellent at raising awareness about violence against women, does suggest that only women are victims and men are always the perpetrators.
Let us get rid of this myth and work towards the reduction of domestic violence perpetrated by both men and women. Equally, let us provide support and assistance to all victims - men, women and children.
LOUISE ROSTRON
Springvale