I wrote a letter to a legislator recently. It was very important to me
and to others in the same predicament. I liked her actions before but I
received no answer. I can hear the excuses, short 60-day session; busy, busy
(what have they done?); staff didn’t give her the letter (it was marked “Personal”).
It concerns long-term care. The state pays workers to assist
low-income clients to stay in their homes like they want to do, and saves the cost
of putting them in boarding homes.
I have not had a chore worker for months. I am eligible, 84 years
old, live alone, low- to poverty-level income, have emphysema, arthritis,
gallstones, and acid reflux. My last two trips to the drug store cost $111
and $126. I cannot afford health insurance. They cannot keep chore workers
because they pay $6.68 an hour, no health insurance, no perks. The
only ones who pay less are the sweatshops and farm laborers.
I received a raise in Social Security check in January, $16 a
month. That won’t buy a sack of groceries, or make a down payment on a
prescription.
Legislators and Congress get raises in the thousands. The President’s
(salary) was doubled. They get great health insurance and pension
plans plus other perks, for life. The Pentagon orders planes the Air
Force doesn’t want or need. NASA sends missiles to Mars, the last cost
$165 million, all flops. Another is planned and a manned expedition.
In this Washington one sport stadium was destroyed to be replaced
by two obscenely expensive ones. One the people voted no, too.
In my life I have worked, paid taxes, voted and done volunteer
work to give something back to the community. I was den mother for Cub
Scouts for three and a half years, representative for Red Cross collection for
two years, chairman of a drive to send our hometown doctor to the World
Series (huge success). I have taken up collection for people in distress,
illness, hospital, and death. I have been on the planning commission, on the
election board, now I volunteer at the Sno-Valley Senior Center. I served two
terms on the board of directors, as a receptionist, made R.S.V.P. calls,
birthday calls.
Poor health has narrowed that down to two raffles a month to
benefit the seniors. I could never do enough to repay the center for what it has
done for me. It is such a big part of my life.
It is difficult to ask for assistance, give out personal information over
and over. Occasionally you get a worker who is mean, bossy and hard to
take. To those who think it couldn’t happen to you, that’s what I thought. It
can happen to anybody.
Who would want to go to a boarding home? Remodeled old homes,
no overhead sprinklers, no batteries in smoke detectors, poorly trained
employees who allow patients to die from lack of treatment for bed sores, kill
a patient by putting her in scalding water, allow an 80-year-old man to
be sexually abused for a long period of time. These boarding homes are
overseen by DSHS, whose excuse is not enough inspectors. Our older
people deserve better. We have paid our dues and shouldn’t be considered
throw-aways.
When I read and hear about the waste in all levels of government,
I wonder why can’t I have four hours chore service a week and stay in
my own place like I want to. And it would be great if I didn’t have to give
out personal information over and over. Then I could manage to keep
what little pride and dignity I have left.
MARGUERITE ENSLEY
Carnation
