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Show Advocate need Rest Home promotes need for fencing by Janet Weaver "They are our family and our primary concern is their happiness, well-being, and safety!" It was with these words that Judy VanNest, activity director at the Iron County Rest Home, summed up the feeling that she and other staff members at the Iron County Rest Home have in regards to their pressing need for a fence around the front of the home. The home is unusual in that each room has its own outside entrance, (22 in all). Mrs. VanNest indicated that this was a great fire safety precaution, but was an absolute disaster in terms of being able to keep an eye on their patients should they decide to "take a walk." Curiosity Staff members added that they feel the same panic when one of their patients wanders off as a mother feels when her two year old child is missing. Both (a patient and child) wanders off with the same curiosity and abandon, often losing their sense of direction and without taking the usual safety precautions. It is for this reason that Mrs. Laska Hunt and others (including patients themselves) have requested of the Iron County Commissioners that a chain link fence be built around the front of the building. The County Commissioners visited the home and the staff July 26th and Commissioner Clark agreed that this was an important im-portant need and should be met. Mr. Wood said he would think about it; and Mr. Seaman seemed to give an unequivical "No" as his answer. Play Pen Mr. Seaman seemed concerned that this fence would give the home an institutional type appearance and offered a "play pen" alternative in the back. Ms. VanNess pointed out that the fence need only be 4 feet tall and could add to the beauty of the home by having shrubbery or a creeping vine planted on it. She also ' added that a home across the street (and others in Parowan) had just this kind of a fence and looked very nice. She stated that if this fence were built, the front gate would be visible from one of the many front window-s so that a staff member could watch it at all times. This would afford citizens of the home much more freedom than they now have. They would be able to walk out "their" door at any time and enjoy the beauty of the grounds, fresh air, and sunshine and still be protected from their absent-minded wandering. Not acceptable "I would not demean my family Continued on Page 3 Residents of the Iron County Rest Home sit in front of one of the many windows facing the front yard where staff members would like a fence built so that they can keep an eye on patients as they leave their rooms to enjoy the beauty of the grounds, the sunshine, and fresh air. is Rest Home Continued from FrontPage with the play pen alternative offered by Mr. Seaman", stated Ms. Van-Ness. Van-Ness. Mr. Seaman suggested that a small area in the back be fenced in, "where it won't be so noticeable by the public". Staff members at the home pointed out that this would in no way solve the problem because the area suggested is accessable only through one door and is not visible from any windows. The access is past the nurses station where there is medication and would necessitate a staff member escorting them past the station, out the door and staying out there to watch them. This is basically what is done now when the more absent-minded patients wish to take a walk. "The dignity and safety of our senior citizens is so important and the County Commissioners would be contributing to this if they would allow this fence to be built. A life is still the most valuable of all things," concluded Ms. VanNess. |