RE: THE NURSING HOME

My hearfelt sympathies, Jacky. It is an awful disease, one of the cruelest. It is horrible seeing a loved one being robbed of their personality and finally their dignity. I don't know what the answer is, but like you I was left to wonder whether the drugs administered in her care were helpful or harmful. We have to put our trust in something. But the feeling of helplessness is terrible. To nurse one personally in this condition would try the patience of a saint and impossible for most of us because of the demands in one's own life. And distance is another thing. When families become splintered because of geographical location of work etc. we rely on various members to take their turn. Support and rallying together is very important. I would always check whether anyone else in our family was going to visit, just to make sure somebody would be with her. As my family were very scattered, it was important to set up some kind of rotation, although it wasn't always possible to honour one's commitment, but we did our best. One of my memories is sitting with Mum in that room at the home watching the horse racing on her TV on Saturday afternoons, she always liked to have a little bet before she became ill. I still have that TV set in my writing room at home to watch DVDs on. It will always make me think of Mum. I would hate to part with it. Mum has been gone ten years, but the memory of her final months will haunt me forever. I have to say that at my Mum's nursing home, the staff were excellent, but I know other people have not been so fortunate with the care for their loved one/s. Best wishes to you and be strong... as much as you are able. Trev

A nursing home is a long-term care facility licensed by the state that offers 24-hour room and board and health care services, including basic and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and a full range of other therapies, treatments, and programs. People who live in nursing homes are referred to as residents. spam removed