In my opinion: ‘keeping face and avoiding publicity'

To the Editor,

I am writing re your article 'Rona Versus Retirement Home” published the 9th October 2015.

I am Rona Mason's daughter and there would be no need to tell you how disgusted I am with the way Oceania Healthcare has treated my mother - evicting her from her home of seven years.

Along with disgust there is also anger that Oceania Healthcare, to keep face and possibly to avoid bad publicity, offered my mother a 'smaller villa” or as described in your article 'a studio cottage - a much smaller, one bedroom unit”. Doesn't sound too bad, does it?

But, let me clarify.

My mother and I have viewed this so called ‘smaller villa' and know it to be just a bedsit - one single room! And a room that is so small she would basically only fit in her bed and TV.

It is smaller than most motel units that I have stayed in. My mother is not of the age or stage in life that she should be living in just a single room without many of her personal possessions.

Oceania Healthcare have much to learn about the requirements, care and treatment of the elderly.

B Hands, Tauranga