The Daily Mail on Friday, November 16 featured an article concerning a splendid dignified lady of 93 years who had refused to be bathed by a male care worker.
Astonishingly, Mrs Una Penny was told by a social worker in Bristol that she was infringing the man's human rights!
Hopefully, by the time this letter goes to press, Mrs Penny's own human rights will have been honoured and her personal needs for privacy respected.
This case is another example of the extraordinary notion that because one has chalked up X number of years, all feelings, emotions, sensitivities, pride, needs, high standards and self respect no longer exist.
Many amongst us strive to remain deeply involved with the communities in which we live, and to be an example to younger generations that will erase the fear of ageism.
I feel very deeply for Mrs Penny. I empathise with her abhorrence of being bathed by some strange man, and to be further informed that it may be a different one each week! This is surely a violation of Mrs Penny's personal being?
I too would refuse to be bathed by a male were I in her vulnerable situation. There is far too often a total lack of sensitivity towards ladies of mature years who find themselves at the mercy of younger people who seem unable to communicate and to interact with real caring, in-depth understanding and respect towards the personal standards and private needs of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Mary Ratcliffe
Old Town
Swindon
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