For some elderly in NZ …

The lesson the late Irony the Cat taught me … and my friend Burt

(This post is a one with a bit of a difference – but with significant societal and political implications.)

Two years ago my marriage ended and I moved to the small town of Cambridge as a new start. I like the town and have settled in well.

My first “friend” was a ridiculously fluffy, scraggly, sneezing-wheezing 21 year old cat. There was no sign of his owners and as the weeks went by he showed no signs of leaving. He interrupted most of my zoom – meetings. He slept where and when he liked. I called him Irony the Cat as I am guessing neither of us expected the new circumstances.

He was, at times, hard to love. His sneezes would splatter the walls. He would go missing and be brought back by neighbors. His fur was everywhere and clung like it was glued. He often chundered up remarkably dry furballs.

I had to have him put down two weeks ago and almost felt it was a relief. It wasn’t until I was re-vacuuming one of his areas today that I realised I would much prefer to have the problems of having him than a clean house.

Which is where my friend Burt comes in. A while back, telepathically (as cats do) Irony the Cat suggested I go to the Aged Care home down the road and see if there is something small I can do. Each Wednesday I walk with a group and particularly a gentleman called Burt. He and I get on well. He is only in his 70s but is wheel chair bound. I am deeply surprised when the staff tell me the difference it makes to Burt. He also has a loving wife and family that visit.

Here is my point. Although the people in the home do care – life for most residents (approx. 40 as far as I can tell) revolves around sitting in a big circle in a lounge for most of the day. Day in and day out. I have no excuse for not knowing this would be the case – or for being stunned.

While I typically advocate for the young … we clearly need to examine huge aspects of caring for those who have contributed to us for so many years. The only time their plight seems to come up is as a financial burden. Some hard thinking to be done to make whole of life of value for all NZers. I am also hearing huge loss on property/savings/inheritance when elderly people do need care. Am I hearing wrong?

Alwyn Poole
Innovative Education Consultants
www.innovativeeducation.co.nz
www.alwynpoole.substack.com
www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/