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It is well known that all Salesians fathers are well looked after in their retirement. Many still hold active duties and have the luxury of more time in doing the things they enjoy. Those who unfortunately are in poor health are provided with medical care and, like Father Deane, may be living in nursing homes where they receive assistance and care in their daily life.
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Then why was it necessary to contribute privately to Father Deane's needs?
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Although the nursing homes Father Deane was excellent in many respects, not all the needs of a Parkinson's Disease patient could be adequately dealt with by the nursing home without incurring costs in addition to those provided by the Salesians.
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In the past years, what were these needs?
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To understand the needs of Father Deane one must understand Parkinson's Disease. Contrary to most believed, Parkinson's Disease is not a sickness but is rather a disability. This disability, if unchecked, will cause complications and illness.
To counter the effects of Parkinson's disease, Father needed mostly mental stimulation - talk with friends, chat about familiar topics, interest of others in him and what he has done, etc. Yet it was impossible to meet these needs as Father spent nearly all his life in Hong Kong with most of his memory there and his friends in other parts of the world. In Ireland, his friends, including two friends (Bosco Keown and Chris) and Father Foster, are very few.
In an attempt to provide this much needed stimulus, an invitation was extended to Father Deane in May 1998 to visit Australia but it was not approved.
As a result of his difficulty in mobility, Father grew more stiff. A periodic massage therapy was arranged to help allienate the deterioration. A carer was hired to visit Father frequently. Personal effects lost from time to time would have to be replaced quickly. Other accessories to facilitate Father's life in the nursing home were also purchased and installed.
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What more needs is forseeable?
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As a pensioner in Ireland, Father was entitled to basic medical care. As he only returned to Ireland after 40 years overseas, he has no private health insurance, should he suffer any illness that requires hospitalisation, he would not be able to elect the best doctors available.
The financial resources to provide him with this option is paramount in his well-being.
Other daily expenses may include long distance calls for him to talk to other Old Boys and friends, occasional treat to have a meal in a restaurant other than the nursing home, flowers and snacks,, etc.
In short, what Father needs is what any ailing elder member of a family would need.
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11 Nov 1999
