I wasn't talking about empathy, Tony. Empathy can cost, correct. It can also act as as a fogging element to the therapeutic interventions. I am talking about acknowledging and abiding by the written principles of "Dignity in Care". "Come on, sunshine" to be fed, "Don't be a silly moo. Get into the hoist or I'll just leave you in your wet bed", or a " How many times do I have to tell you not to ring unnecessarily? Oh, You are such a pain!" are just little examples of how older people sometimes get treated in care. Dependency doesn't mean losing respect, does it??? During those two months, I had to put my empathy and my internal processes aside to put creams on some people's sores. However, my application was mindful of the fact that I was dealing with the humans, and I had no right to de-humanise them; even if they had lost their marbles to a certain degree.
No I mean that is why the workers you are talking about are patronising. It is like a self-defense mechanism. As you said it is an unpleasant job where you are confronted with the horrible process of death and decay. It's easier to treat the old demented people as objects or children.
