Whose Job Is It to Find Help for Those In Need?
To the Editor of The Lakeville Journal of CT (and the Wider World!)
Seeing ads on TV for '211.org' or to call 2-1-1 for help in a crisis or for help with housing, childcare, medical or less pressing needs, one might think 'we're all set' even for those without computer skills. However that's not the case. Some can 'get in the system and get a case worker."
Maybe a social worker at a hospital or in a town, a minister or other advocate could guide someone to the door of getting more services whether a youth or elder.
But still one can often need 'family, friends or other advocates' to answer basic questions and follow through with paperwork or online forms.
Someone being paid financially to work however cannot generally handle the finances of their employer so clear guidance is needed even about many basics.
If someone has managed to stay in their home and set up routines that work for them that are safe, more help could be given to maintain that situation.
Some people may not be able to see the big picture and all of the options that would be reasonable to secure long-term regular help even if that is clearly needed and there are ways to get that.
No one should be faced with needing to go into a nursing home even locally if they have a home to live in or a community that could map out clear options complete with a 'ready to go' care team for short -term and even longer term needs if there are funds to pay for some or all of that.
A game to explore the many kinds of challenges that can arise for one person or a pair of people living together in a village or farther afield would be helpful to get more people 'thinking of the What Ifs that many people face due to a temporary or longer setback of mobility, transportation, housing or financial changes and an array of physical or mental health challenges."
We plan for a car to break down but not so much for a two-legged person to get help with moving (wheelchairs and walkers along with assistants to help with those or even with standing or transferring to use a commode or bedpan or wear adult diapers.)
Caregiving teams could accommodate many needs for full-time cases if there is 'room in the home or a place not too far away.' Perhaps trailers could be allowed to house helpers and funds raised to provide a basic wage and cover extra costs month to month if a reverse mortgage or other loan is not available. But getting more people to tune into the clear needs and requests for help is urgent.
Thanks to all working in the field and planning to help others in their circles and community. I would like to network in a serious way to help a few I know who need help and I'm sure others would come forward as well if we put out an 'all call' to assess our local needs. --Catherine Palmer Paton, Falls Village CT, 347-471-9209
