One of Millions Continued Part 6

“Isolation means intentionally limiting contact between the elder and others.”
-http://www.ucop.edu/agrp/docs/la_abuse.pdf

During these long stays at hospitals and care homes, Pushpa was for the most part isolated from family and friends. Her closest local well wishing family and friends would visit from time to time. However, Pushpa’s only real link to the outside world was “the one she trusted”(TOST). TOST had complete control of all information, especially regarding Pushpa’s health. TOST filtered all information going to and from Pushpa and others. Pushpa’s well wishing family and friends, knew only that which TOST chose to disclose.

Amid this period of time, Pushpa’s well wishing relatives and friends would constantly ask TOST for a telephone number where Pushpa could be reached. They cared about Pushpa and wished to stay in touch. TOST always politely and convincingly told everyone that Pushpa could not be reached, giving reasons such as: there is no telephone in her room, the wire is not long enough, etc. Since TOST had quit working and was supposedly caring for Pushpa full time, Pushpa’s relatives asked if they could ring TOST on TOST’s mobile phone and speak to Pushpa. TOST of course, politely agreed to this. However, when relatives would ring, TOST never answered the mobile phone. TOST always had an excuse: sorry I just left the care home/ hospital, I was driving, my phone was not charged, no signal, etc. Why did TOST not answer the mobile phone? Was it because TOST was hardly ever with Pushpa? Or was it because TOST did not wish Pushpa to speak with her relatives? Or was it both?

Eventually, Pushpa’s relatives became frustrated that in the age of mobile phones and cordless phones, it had become impossible to communicate with Pushpa. Information they were being provided from TOST was limited and vague. Hence, Pushpa’s well wishing relatives, took it upon themselves to go online and find contact information on the care home, where Pushpa was currently residing. When they telephoned the care home, Pushpa’s relatives were told by the staff that they especially had cordless telephones, for the convenience and ease of use for their residence. Pushpa’s well wishing relatives were also told that they were welcome to telephone as often as they liked. In fact, they encouraged it for the wellbeing of their residents. So why did TOST not disclose this simple harmless information? What was TOST trying to hide?

To be continued...

"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse. "

       ~Author Unknown