Neglect in aged care, as described by Kaye Kibblewhite (Letters, 13/10), is a daily occurrence. In fact, leaving residents waiting for a bed pan or toilet visit until they have an accident is not considered neglect by staff. Over many years, I have visited seven facilities. One evening I found a male resident in my friend's bed while she was huddled, cold, in a chair. There was no apology from staff. My friend complained about a woman resident coming into her room and was subsequently badly hurt. An inquiry after her death was inconclusive.
In another facility, a demented resident was given a broom to sweep the rooms. He threatened me with it when I asked him to stop going through my friend's wardrobe. Staff thought he was harmless. I am convinced that my friend suffered a stroke because of this daily interference. Residents also complain about rough treatment while being showered. One resident did not receive the hair, manicure or massage services which her family had paid for because they hardly ever visited.
Ursula Tursky, Essendon
So many wonderful facilities and staff
There is no denying Kaye Kibblewhite's horrific account of a nursing home experience. However, it is only fair to give credit to the aged care facilities and staff who are very different to this. I have visited older people in a number of facilities across Melbourne over a number of years. I have invariably found these places to be clean, in order and beautifully appointed with furniture, gardens, paintings along the walls and the like. The staff have been efficient, professional, polite and caring. The activities provided have been varied, well thought out and enjoyed by the residents. So, please, as with everything, do not judge all by an unfortunate experience. The nursing care staff who come to my mind must have been devastated to be judged in this way.
Kay Arthur, Diamond Creek
Processes, but never a satisfactory resolution
Rae Lamb from the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner says it welcomes complaints (Letters, 13/10). My experience is that the complaints process is just that, a process. Once the process has been undertaken, the complaint is deemed "resolved", whether or not the complainant agrees.
For example, I have been complaining, since 2012, that an aged care facility refuses to specify that one of my father's health conditions is "a spinal fusion due to an unstable C1-C2 fracture" – that is, a badly broken neck requiring hours of surgery, now held together with metal rods. The provider wants to call this "back pain", "osteoarthritis", "spinal problems" etc. It does not want to name my father's broken neck accurately because it would indicate he needs the highest level of physiotherapy, and cost the provider more money.
After four years of complaints, as of this month, the care plan now says "osteoporosis with fracture". Still misleading. Still inaccurate. Why won't the commissioner insist that the provider calls it by its real name? Whose interests does the commissioner really serve?
Kate Mannix,Epping, NSW
It's a Catch-22 situation when you complain
Rae Lamb's comment that the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner's "service is free" reminds me of the saying, 'you get what you pay for'. Pay nothing, get nothing. On one occasion my complaint to the commissioner, following an unsatisfactory response from the aged care facility, was simply forwarded, in its entirety, to the facility's manager. Further, what involvement has taken place to date with the Commonwealth Ombudsman? In any case, the broad nature of that role is likely to place aged care issues at the sad end of a very long queue.
Name and address withheld
It's a question of law
Melton Council candidate Dilpreet Singh claims that photos of a child holding firearms and ammunition are "culturally acceptable" (The Age, 14/10). To me they demonstrate that the owner of the weapons has no understanding of, or respect for, Victoria's firearms laws. They are supposed to be kept safe and secure. Displayed as they are in the photos makes a mockery of this requirement. This is a legal matter. It has nothing to do with culture.
Les Hawken, Fitzroy
Tackle the big issues
So Victoria has recorded a "$2.7billion tax windfall" (The Age, 14/10). Will our state government squander it on useless re-branding exercises, unnecessary public holidays, over-allocated private schools and pork barrelling in marginal electorates? Or can we turn serious attention to the mess that is our mental health system, the entrenched poverty and homelessness which is visible on streets, the disenfranchisement of our youth, the scourge of drugs, and the increasing gap between rich and poor? We can claim to be hard on criminals all we like – but crime, suicide and misery will never be significantly reduced until we address these larger community issues.
Nhi Hoang, Richmond
Victoria's lucky break
A "windfall" is a stroke of unearned luck – traditionally fruit blown over the fence onto your property from someone else's tree. If our improved economy (and its tax income) really are not the result of government management, perhaps we can stop blaming it when the economy slows down. Ditto last month's "windfall" from the Port of Melbourne sale – the result of an ALP policy which was taken to the election and duly carried out. (I say this as someone who did not vote Labor and is not too keen on the port sale.)
Nic Barnard, Fitzroy North
The poet of our times
I am delighted that Bob Dylan, the greatest songwriter/poet of our time, has been awarded the Nobel prize in literature. It is extraordinary to think that someone who wrote hauntingly beautiful songs such as Mr Tambourine Man, the anti-war anthem Masters of War and the surreal but humorous Highway 61 Revisited more than 50years ago is still writing and performing wonderful work.
True, his output has been uneven, but this is the case with many artists. Much of his recent output pays homage to the great American songwriting and musical tradition, a thread that has always run through his work. Always an enigma, he is constantly reinventing himself. For many, including myself, Dylan's lyrics and music have defined an era.
Tony Healy, Balwyn North
Necessary, life saving
Apparently Australians and their doctors are wasting money on potentially harmful tests and treatments (The Age, 13/10). Recently I had abdominal problems and my doctor suggested an ultrasound. This revealed an aortic aneurism which was rapidly repaired as it can rupture at any time with no warning and devastating consequences. Unfortunately no such rupture occurred, so Medicare will be the loser as I will continue to use up its resources with other geriatric problems in the next few years. The moral is those "unnecessary" procedures sometimes turn out to be life saving.
Warwick Stott, Kew
Shortsighted decision
University High School runs a program for gifted kids. Entry to this is meritocratic. It is run without any additional funding from taxpayers, and while also providing excellent education to an already large school zone. Over the decades, the program has produced many outstanding contributors to our society, including a Nobel Prize winner.
Now Victorian Education Minister James Merlino, with a stroke of the pen, has tripled the school's enrolment boundaries (The Age, 13/10). Its programs for gifted kids will be wiped out as all resources and space will need to be used to accommodate the increased enrolments. University High is an enlightened social project that started in 1910. To fix a temporary problem, one of our state's best educational assets will be lost forever.
Tony O'Connor, Northcote
Hear women roar
Donald Trump has exposed the underbelly of misogyny that is the bedrock of patriarchal power. He has named and justified "locker room" language as one for boys who pretend to be men. He has admitted how "star power" can be used to exploit and crush women. Most importantly, he has exposed other members of the patriarchal club (including Hillary Clinton) to ridicule as they huff and puff and wag their fingers at this "Lucifer". Women have been galvanised, thanks to the Donald.
Suzanne Ingleton, Castlemaine
Reap what you sow
Fox News helped to create the hysterical environment in which Donald Trump now thrives. I hope that Rupert Murdoch apologies for bringing the Grand Old Party to its knees.
Sarah Bone, Wonthaggi
Choose words wisely
I nearly choked on my cereal when I heard Donald Trump's campaign manager, Kelly Anne Conway, tell Republicans who are abandoning their candidate to stop "pussyfooting around".
Mary Mandanici, West Preston
Enough is enough
Tony Wright made my day ("Age of entitlements is everlasting for some of those poor old politicians", 13/10). Fancy four former MPs taking a begging bowl to the High Court, pleading to keep their Life Gold Passes.. Good on the court for saying no. This needs to be said more often as there is too much leaching by politicians from the public purse. If those four men are short of cash, they should do what we are told to do: get a job.
Anne Flanagan, Box Hill North
Let the people decide
The Coalition has effectively conceded Parliament is neither capable nor competent enough to deal with issues such as the plebiscite on same-sex marriage. As such it should be stripped of the power on all social issues. For example, the sending of troops (in support of foreign interests) to overseas wars which are not threatening Australian shores should not be undertaken without a binding plebiscite.
Jeremy Parker, Lara
Not all have said yes
Dorothy Murison (Letters, 14/10) lists 22 countries that have made a dog's breakfast of the institution of marriage by changing its definition to permit same-sex marriage. Papua-New Guinea, Timor Leste, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuata, Fiji, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China, Japan, Russia, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique, to name just some of the remaining 172 independent countries, have not and are unlikely to do so.
Albert Riley, Mornington
Cut players some slack
After the punishment meted out to Essendon Football Club over several years, I am amazed at the pettiness shown by some writers. Some probably support teams that have had at least one player permitted to play on after deciding to take illegal drugs. However, they were protected under the ridiculous "three strikes and you're out" rule. Jobe Watson and his teammates were told that the peptides administered were safe and legal. The club was extraordinarily careless and undoubtedly in the wrong, but surely the players have been punished enough.
Peter Ross, Paynesville
Tackling new frontiers
I was delighted to learn about a possible $19billion train tunnel between my suburb and Newport (The Age, 14/10). Facilitation of trade and cultural links is of immense benefit. With currency issues addressed, I foresee a bright economy as river folk and the hill tribe exchange precious artefacts and learn each other's strange cuisines, tattoos and haircuts. I hope local TAFEs will be resourced for language teaching. After all, smiling and hand gestures only goes so far. I feel a veil of isolation lifting.
Gordon Wakelin-King, Clifton Hill
Nick's two choices
Nick Kyrgios has been blessed with great athletic ability. Regrettably he is cursed with a volatile temperament. Let us hope he can maximise his potential by learning how to modify his on and off-court antics. He has the talent to be a great player, but also the potential to see it all implode.
Ian De Landelles, Murrays Beach, NSW
AND ANOTHER THING
Bob Dylan
Truly the Picasso wordsmith of my generation. Wonderful.
Ross Hosking, Blackwood, SA
Why did Dylan get the Nobel prize? The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Sam Bando, St Kilda East
Dylan's award for literature? Don't think twice, it's all right.
Colin Mockett, Geelong
Fine, but should he have gone electric?
Matt Gately, Rivett, ACT
In the 1960s, he could have got the Nobel Prize for chemistry.
Rod Matthews, Fairfield
Politics
Finally the Republicans have recognised the cuckoo in their nest.
Bill Cleveland, Kew
Who will administer to the GOP which chose Trump as its candidate?
Brian Marshall, Ashburton
Mike Baird: From hero to zero.
Jerry Koliha, South Melbourne
Shorten, a man of conscience? No, the ultimate political pragmatist.
Keith Donovan, Mount Eliza
The government accidentally condemned itself in parliament. Basil Fawlty should be leader of the house.
Gary Roulston Endeavour Hills
Furthermore
The world has gone mad. People are scared of clowns while Halloween is forced upon us at every retail opportunity.
Lisa Jamieson, Hurstbridge
I posted a birthday card to a friend in the next suburb on October 2. No delivery. Next time I'll deliver it.
Barbara Nass, Templestowe
If Watson's Brownlow medal is taken off him, Hird could give him his.
Sandy Jeffs, Christmas Hills
No wonder footballer Sam Mitchell wants to leave Hawthorn. He hasn't played in a winning premiership for more than a year.
Phil Harty, Thornbury