VIEW FROM THE BOX

BY Bill Silverman 
 
Have we ever honored our aged, given them high status in our families? Perhaps, somewhere in the past, the years before the shift in the older population to greater age and population. That's where it seemed to have occured, the culture of farming elders out to extra-family facilities, to be cared for by custodians; and, of course to loose that most precious sense of usefullness; eventually orientation to life itself.
 
Thus the culture of caring for seniors with profit in mind. Institutionalizing euphemized in the Nursing Home. As health care lowered to the questionable level of Health Maintenance Organizations, the fifteen-minute medical appointment, the Balance Sheet centered approvals of medical testing, so Society places the Old Ones in linoleum-sheened corridors, rooms with bed and television set, begrudged care by people who are underpaid and under incentivised to care.  
 
This is called non-medical custodial care. I am discovering that it's no longer them, out there, but we in here! It's hard to get into peoples' minds unless you find yourself in their shoes. We are by virtue of being here, that much closer to the precipice, that unknown slide! Our days are either dull and mindless, or bingo and movies!
 
Moreover, we are wounded game, vulnerable to the hunter's arrow. Peering into the Custodial Care System, you may find the unexpected! the corporate board more interested in their stock valuation, than fairness to the vulnerable existent on their corporate label. Not unlike schemes hatched to physically intimidate elders by cruel landlords, quick deals from a phone bank to glad-mouth the susceptible, insurance companies dedicated to fatten profits rather than dispense manna to those in need, we allow shred attorney-banks to snake around compassion. We allow corporate Bailouts on the backs of the Weak to be crushed to their knees.
 
It seems more newsworthy to banner-headline the shocking nudity of a film star, than to report on blatant, and covert disenfranchisement of the Elderly.
 
I keep fantasizing about the congressional panel pointing fingers at Long-Term Care execs who remonstrate with innocent sincerity about how their main concern is to provide quality care. And "Why are you raising rates to astronomical heights, and denying benefits based on contrived premises?" We intend to take a careful look at that, senator! Yes, yes, and where the heck is your state regulator? Here, sir! We've not been aware of unfair practices, but we'll look into it! Bailout on the backs of policyholders? I actually see your point. We'll look into it.
 
Where is justice, a question as age old as the layers of civilizations unearthed by anthropologists.