"Accessing ancillary care"

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on just one of the many difficulties in caring for an aged person.

I live 60 kilometres east of Bunbury and my spouse is in permanent care in Donnybrook Hospital, where they suffer from Advanced Parkinson Disease and the onset of dementia. Recently my spouse's teeth started breaking, making it difficult to eat, and there is every possibility that they would need extractions followed by dentures. They have previously been to the government dental clinic in Bunbury. In the past family members have taken my spouse there, but their mobility has become so limited now, that they need a special purpose vehicle which can accommodate wheelchairs. 

I contacted Community Health Care in Donnybrook, as they have such a vehicle, but was told that as my spouse was a public patient they couldn't use it. I then contacted Bunbury Taxi's and they said it could be arranged through them. I then phoned the dental clinic to make an appointment, which was fine until I mentioned my spouse's mobility problem and was told that staff are not allowed to lift somebody from wheelchair to the dental chair. As there would be multiple visits for their treatment, my child, who lives and works in Manjimup, would have to take considerable time off work, as it is a four hour round trip to Bunbury, plus appointment time. I have spoken to the Nursing Manager of Donnybrook Hospital and they have a piece of equipment called a Sarah Steady which assists staff to transfer patients from wheelchair to armchair much more easily. But we came to the conclusion that the only alternative would be to mince my spouse's food and watch for any gum infection.

As we are being constantly reminded of the growth of our ageing population, I have visions that in the future the government will be doling out apprenticeships to young people for building free euthanasia clinics for the elderly, that is if they can somehow get themselves there. I feel they would possibly think of it as a win-win solution for young and old and especially themselves.

Thank you once again for allowing me a voice.