It's elder abuse - residents

'We shall not be moved''

BY HAYLEY GALE

At the age of 98, Collingwood Joan Whiting Rest Home's oldest resident, Myra Riordan, is about to take part in a protest for the first time in her life.

She is one of 12 residents of Golden Bay's only rest home, who decided yesterday to refuse to move from the home when it is supposed to close on November 30.

Residents say to move them from their home is "elder abuse".

The Joan Whiting board of trustees told staff and residents' families on Tuesday that the home would have to close after a long and painful struggle for financial survival.

Yesterday, a Nelson Marlborough District Health Board representative said the board had provided a temporary subsidy in the past and there was no more money available without extra government funding.

Twelve of the home's 14 residents who were well enough to attend held a meeting yesterday afternoon, also attended by The Nelson Mail, to discuss their reaction to the "appalling news".

They unanimously decided to fight.

The last time 86-year-old Takaka-born Jack Rose took part in any kind of battle was when he flew Halifax bombers during World War II, for which he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Like most other Joan Whiting residents, he has lived in Golden Bay all his life and to have to move to a rest home in Motueka or Nelson, away from where he has spent his life, is not something he wants to contemplate.

Chairing the meeting, nurse manager Jan Dahl wrote down comments from residents, who were clearly upset and angry.

"We refuse to go", "I'm not moving anywhere", "And no bull...", "We mustn't close down", "There's no better place", "This is our home", "To move us is elder abuse – that's against the law", some residents called out.

"We've been abandoned and brushed aside," said another.

Resident Mary Baigent, a Queen's Service Medal recipient for outstanding service to the community, said the government and the district health board had "no regard for us at all" by not saving the home from closure.

"We're just not going," she said.

Some residents were more able to express themselves than others, but it was clear that the last thing they wanted to do was to be forced to move.

"It's appalling," said resident Dr Barrie Jackson.

Ms Dahl told residents that their words would be put into a letter they could sign, which would be sent to local MPs, the district health board, the Minister of Health and the media.

After the meeting, she said if the residents had to move to other rest homes, most would "never be able to come home again".

"They have become very stirred up and they're prepared to speak out publicly," she said.

The proposed integrated health centre for Takaka, due to be completed within two years, will include rest home beds.

"All we're asking for is bridging finance for two years," she said.

For the Government and health board to fail to support the home was "purely and simply elder abuse. That's all there is to it."

- © Fairfax NZ News