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VALUES

Assessment 3
EDSEL R. PONO
VALUES

ASSESSMENT CONTENTS

THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ....................................................... 3

REFLECTION................................................................................... 3

RIGHTS OF AGEING PEOPLE ..................................................... 4

(1)The right to have food, shelter and live in a safety place ....................... 4

(2)The right to be able to develop their own interests and to participate in


educational, cultural, spiritual and social activities .................................... 5

(3)The right to access culturally appropriate care and protection -------------


(4) and to receive services for the improvement of their health; to have
their wishes, dignity and beliefs respected ................................................ 5

(5)The right to be free of mental and physical mistreatment and not to be


discriminated against ................................................................................. 6

OBSERVATION ON ACCESS ISSUES ......................................... 7

DOME ........................................................................................................ 7

The University Ramp Shed and equity ........................................................ 7

Sandy Bay Late Metro Busses vs. Age Care Act 1997 .................................. 8

Franklin Square Male Toilet ....................................................................... 9

Cathedral Church ....................................................................................... 9

REFERENCES ................................................................................ 10

INDEX ............................................................................................. 10

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THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Attached herewith is the scanned article that relates to elder people. Source:
The Mercury, 31st of January, Saturday Issue.

REFLECTION
First and foremost, in an obvious reason, the author tries to use the most
common “hippie name” that recent generation can correlate and dub --- the
“Gran”. (Bearon 2008)

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Secondly, the article talks about a successful story of an elder person’s crusade
on equal pay rights for female workers, especially in the industry where
majority of the workers were males.

Indeed it shows prejudice and stereotyping towards Gender issue. Working in


a tyre plant is a demanding job and most people working in the said industry
were males. Although it has been in the notion of most people in the society
whom reflects the dominance of males in the workplace, still, it is not an excuse
to discriminate an individual to receive less because she or he was on a less
popular gender for the industry. Having wages equality is not a privilege but a
right.

As I quote the authors testimonial:

“She will not reap any financial gain winning her


fight, but said she had struck a blow for future
generations of women”

For the record, Lilly Ledbetter made a difference! The story portray heroism on
her side, to the point that the President of United States of America, Barack
Obama signed a new law named after her, making it easier for women to sue
their employers for pay discrimination. Now, that is wonder woman!

It is not the largely psychological question of how we are to raise our standards
of behavior--that is, lift our behavior closer to our standards--but how we are
to refine the standards themselves. The value and nature as it was told in the
article was relatively fair enough. Morality has been touch with even-
handedness and egalitarianism.

RIGHTS OF AGEING PEOPLE

(1)The right to have food, shelter and live in a safety place

It has been said that we can live quite a few weeks without food; but we need
an ample amount to stay healthy. Without food our mental and physical
capabilities will deteriorate rapidly, and we will become weak. Food
replenishes the substances that your body burns and provides energy. It
provides vitamins, minerals, salts, and further elements essential to good
health. Possibly more important, it helps morale. Therefore, proper nutrition is
indeed indispensable. (Survival Guide 2002)

Poor nutrition contributes to stress, making these elder people uneasy and
unsecure. As betterhealth.vic.gov.au’s website states that:

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“Stress that is not treated can lead to serious illness. A


person who feels ongoing and unresolved stress may
go on to develop significant medical illnesses or an
anxiety disorder (which in turn can lead to a clinical
depression). “

As an age care worker, I would properly implement time management in


relation:

 To proper nutrition on a specified and prescribe time schedule


 Taking care of them towards their physical needs
 Proper sleep and rest in a comfortable beds and environment.

Insuring their basic needs, thus, making them aware they are secured,
protected, look after in a safe and sound shelter. After all maintaining good
nutrition, safe and stress-free environment is one of the factors that
contributes Healthy Ageing (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2004)

(2)The right to be able to develop their own interests and to


participate in educational, cultural, spiritual and social
activities

No matter what they believe in, an elder person has its own needs. As the
famous Abraham Lincoln said: “all men are created equal”, which I believe is
true although our needs differs based on environment, desires, age, education
as the list go on. Making them involved in their own interest in terms of their
religious practice, social activities are worth a try, organising such activities
within the administrations consent and guidance is pleasing to their eyes.

Being surrounded by lovely elders --- my grandparents, you will be surprise


how unique each individuals was and giving them an opportunity to express
themselves keeps them going, giving them a sense of pride, keeps their smile --
---- an open invitation of finding their greatest love of all ---- that is to love
themselves!

(3)The right to access culturally appropriate care and


protection ------------- (4) and to receive services for the
improvement of their health; to have their wishes, dignity
and beliefs respected

To increase the quality of life to those residents; and to help us age care worker
with innovative ideas, as what New South Wales Transcultural Age Care
Services did was to give them resources that is personal to them such as Music

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(on their own language) and perhaps if management agrees, cordon bleu some
recipes they like on the basis on their own culture.

Also, cultural safety is a significant characteristic of cultural competence. When


our clients or the elder people feel culturally safe, their quality of life improves
and our work becomes more rewarding and enjoyable. (Dawbin, D & Rogers, A.
2007, p28)

(5)The right to be free of mental and physical mistreatment


and not to be discriminated against

Healthy Ageing Taskforce on 8 December 2000, states that

“The abuse of older people occurs when there is any


act occurring within a relationship where there is an
implication of trust, which results in harm to an older
person. Abuse can include physical, sexual, financial,
psychological and social abuse and/or neglect".

Aside from physical abuse, emotional abuse and or psychological abuse is also
present. Psychological or emotional abuse is language or actions designed to
intimidate another person and are usually characterized by a pattern of
behavior repeated over time, intended to maintain a 'hold of fear' over

In order to avoid such emotional strains to the individual, as a Carer, I will


uphold its right by not calling names, not treating them as a child, not
withholding them on certain affection such as touching, smiling, making sure
they have adequate access to their family and friends that would bring them
happy or jolly to avoid the following problems such as; loss of interest in self or
environment, fearfulness, Passivity, Reluctance to talk openly, became
paranoid behavior or confusion not associated with illness and even
experiencing insomnia. (Benevolent Society, Preventing and responding to
Abuse of Older people who live in the Residential Care, 2009)

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OBSERVATION ON ACCESS ISSUES

DOME

DOME – Sandy Bay offers excellent


coffees and has been a taboo /
rendezvous for young, family and
elder hang-outs. It has been my
favorite place to hang out, whack
my laptop and study while
enjoying their coffee.

But quite often, one of the main


problems they’ve got I believe is the
Picture 1 : Photo Site DOME Coffee Shop at Sandy Bay entrance door. Having a sliding door
would be beneficial for the elders
and physically disadvantage. It’s a customers convenience is what really
matters most, isn’t it?

The University Ramp Shed and equity

Slip and fall injuries may be the subject of many of Australia’s Funniest Home
Videos however, in reality, slippery floors are a very serious issue in our
homes. In fact, slippery floors are one of the largest contributors to injuries in
the home.

The elderly are at a higher risk


of injury because of their
decreased strength and
mobility. Alarming statistics
show that one in four of our
elderly who fall and break their
hip will die within one year
from complications. (Grip
Guard Non-Slip, 2009]

As I was waiting for the bus on


a rainy Thursday morning, I
came across an elder who is also Picture 2 University of Tasmania’s Waiting Shed
waiting’ for the 7:40 bus. At the
waiting shed, it was slightly sloppy and she was almost slipped as she
approaches the seat.

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I think the infrastructure is “quite” dangerous and can be a problem as I have


witness because of the 45< angle slope of the shed, especially during rainy
days.

Bearing in mind the elder peoples’ safety in making shed plans, I believe is
highly important, although few of them are going to sheds, but it is not an
excuse of not making an allowance for them in plan making.

Sandy Bay Late Metro Busses vs. Age Care Act 1997

For the record, I can’t consider Sandy


Bay Suburb as transportation access
problem for the elder but on the other
side of the story that collates to the issue
is the fact that they were always late.

Growing older can cause significant


health and mobility problems and access
issues, this elder woman was the last
one to get into the bus, the pressure to Picture 3 Tassie Metro Bus

the driver was quite intense as the


passengers are quite piss off (as usual). In turn, the driver tends to accelerate
the bus, this elder woman who haven’t reached her seat almost bang her head
on the bar where she was holding on. In most cases, transportation such as
“Sandy Bay” late busses is one of the most debatable issues, but for me this is
one and will always be a perennial access issue.

The lack of understanding amongst older people contributes to her fate I


believe. In this case, yes public transport is indeed available but the
stereotyping manners are so strong within those ageist attitutes amongst us
whence ignoring their capacity, justifying unequal treatment and allocation of
scarce resources and individual needs. (Dawbin, D & Rogers, A. 2007, p31) In
fact, Age Care Act 1997 specifies that we are even more committed special
services these people!

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Franklin Square Male Toilet

As I arrive in Franklin Square, I’ve seen a quite


number of elder men came out from the Square’s
public toilet. It pop out in my mind to get a look
and surely, a lot of hazard occur as my humble
observation. a disturbing odor which I believe bad
for each individual’s health as it actually stop you
from breathing, In some cases users, have to take
off their shirts before they enter since they cannot
bear the stench that will follow them after using
the place.

Picture 4 Franklin Square Male The toilet has poor lighting facilities, thus very
Public Toilet hazardous especially at night as it is open until late.
In addition to this, tiles create a tripping hazard,
toilet paper are scattered everywhere, vandalism is almost visible in every
corner, slippery pathways, hand rails not adequate, some doors of the toilet are
damaged so you can’t actually lock it if you prefer to pooh, not to mention the
sink is disgusting.

Although in comparison to other third world countries that I’ve been to,
Australians public toilets construct more and better toilet facilities, but still
should not ignore the special needs of the physically challenged members of
this society, the aged and the blind. They all deserve better toilet facilities that
are friendly to them so that they are not compelled to resort to unhygienic
ways of easing themselves.

Cathedral Church

I’ve notice on this very historical St. David’s


Cathedral Church along Murray Street, Hobart,
had a newly renovated steps. As it was reported
that majority of the church goers were in mid
and late adulthood. It may cause a tripping
problem to those elders especially they haven’t
provide a step bar were they can hold on to.

Secondly, the side door is I think only for the


young ones, because as I have approach one of
the elders, they have said they will never go
that way, instead have to go the frontal side
because there is no option, to avoid problem or Picture 5: St. David's Cathedral
accident in the future. It is sad reality were they
were no other options especially for those disabled individuals as well.

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REFERENCES

1. Neussel, F. 1982. The language of ageism. The Gerontologist, 22(3):273-276.


2. Bearon. L. [Online: accessed April 09, 2009] URL:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/fcs492.pdf
3. Community of WA. [Online, accessed April 09, 2009] URL:
http://www.community.wa.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/0917B4D4-7D5D-47FF-8804-
CAAAE5E125CE/0/olderpplsrightsweb.pdf
4. Better Health [Online, accessed April 9, 2009]. URL:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Stress_can_beco
me_a_serious_illness?OpenDocument
5. NSW Transcultural Age Care Services [Online, accessed April 15, 2009] URL:
http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/csahs/ggrm/tacs/pdf/resourcesp.pdf
6. Grip Guard Non-Slip, 2008 [Online, accessed April 16, 2009] , URL:
http://articles.homeone.com.au/slippery-floors.php
7. Australian Institute of Heakth and Welfare 2002, Older Australian at a glance, 3rd
edition, AIHW Media and Publishing Unit, Canbrera
8. Dawbin D. & Rogers, A. (2007) Age care in Australia, Community Services, Health,
Tourism and recreation Curriculum Centre, TAFE NSW

INDEX

A D N
abuse, 5 discrimination, 3 NEWSPAPER Article, 2
access issue, 7
access issues, 6 E O
age care, 4
Age Care Act 1997, 7 elder, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 older people, 5
aged, 8 elder men, 8
Ageing, 3 elder people, 2, 5, 7 R
elderly, 6
B equality, 3 Rights, 3

behavior, 3, 5 H S
C hazard, 8 shelter, 3, 4
stereotyping, 3, 7
Healthy Ageing, 4
care, 5 hippie name, 2
Carer, 5
cultural safety, 5

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