June Caul
Dear editor:
Thank you for allowing me space to voice a great concern for our seniors. And a big thanks to Shirley Russell for lighting a fire under me to finally write to you and the public.
If you were to walk into Rainycrest and read the daily posted menu, you might think, “Gee, these meals look good, well-balanced, and nutritious!”
But don’t believe what you see on paper!
I have discussed the food problems at Rainycrest with many residents, family members, friends, and staff on numerous occasions.
The food is rarely served hot or warm. Lunches usually consist of sandwiches or some form of a sandwich that many residents cannot eat.
I have talked to a vast variety of residents who have told me stories about wieners in a hotdog that can’t even be chewed, apple crisp with apples that are too tough to chew, muffins and cake that are so dried out you can’t swallow them unless they are soaked in coffee, and the meat that rarely can be chewed.
And the wasted food! There are many five-gallon pails full of food thrown out every day; food thrown out not because people are full, but because it’s not fit to eat (it’s either cold, over-cooked, dried out, or too tough to chew).
I don not blame hourly kitchen staff or nursing staff for any of this. You cannot make a good meal from inferior, cheap supplies that are ordered for you to prepare, and you only follow daily orders given to you.
I have complained many times about this huge problem. I have talked to residents, who also have discussed the food issues with “the powers that be.” We have walked away from several meetings after being given lame excuses and empty promises, and nothing has changed.
I fully understand that our government has made so many cutbacks that it makes it difficult everywhere for administrators to manage. But no matter what, you do not treat our seniors like this.
Residents pay a large amount of money to live at Rainycrest. Think of all the money thrown out in five-gallon pails every day. Start using that money to buy, prepare, and serve good, hot food that can be chewed and enjoyed by our seniors who should at least get fed properly.
If you are reading this letter and are a family member or friend of someone who resides at Rainycrest (and think of that fact that someone you love, or that you might even end up in there one day), I implore you to start asking questions and discussing this issue with your loved one, as well as other residents.
You will discover that I have done my homework on this subject.
There isn’t much for Rainycrest residents to look forward to every day, and it costs them a lot to live there. Do they not at least deserve to get three good meals a day?
I’m quite sure that even prisoners in our jails get better food to eat than our seniors.
Please help me! Be a voice for our seniors and help me lobby for better things for these wonderful people!
Sincerely, and
very concerned,
June Caul
Fort Frances, Ont.
