Author Topic: Mortality and nursing homes  (Read 92 times)

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Offline agate

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Mortality and nursing homes
« on: January 13, 2014, 06:39:12 am »
I have trouble understanding how people can joke about the likelihood that they'll die soon. To me it's sad. Maybe I like to think I'm going to live forever. At least I prefer not to be reminded--or keep reminding myself--that I won't last much longer. 

It's not a cheery way to start the day or to spend my days.

If I really got into this way of thinking, I'd get rid of just about everything I owned.

I understand that if a person goes to a "home," that's what that person often has to do.

The "homes" I've seen give the person one tiny nightstand for personal belongings. You might have a bit of closet space, but with the staff doing the laundry, they don't bring back the same laundry  that they took out.  Soon you won't be wearing your own clothes. You'll  be wearing whatever the laundry decides to bring to you as clothes.

Nursing "home"? It's an anti-home. It's the exact opposite of a home.

Home is a place where you can eat what you want when you want and where you want.

You can take a bath or opt not to as you wish. Some nursing homes line people up for their showers ONCE A WEEK.

You can sleep on your own bed with your own blanket and sheets. You can get up and go to sleep when you want.

You can watch your TV or listen to your radio when you want.

Most of all, you can have your beloved belongings around you, close at hand. The books and photos and pieces of furniture you've treasured and taken care of for decades are still there for you.

The paintings you've had crated and moved over a dozen times, and they're still intact, are still there on the walls for you to look at. The plants you've watered are there for you.

Maybe you're not up to watering them sometimes. Maybe someone else has to be asked to help.

Maybe you can't always do your laundry or housework and have to ask for help.

But at least you're in your real home, not a nursing "home."

And you have peace, especially if you live alone. A quiet world where you can plan your days and live them out without a lot of frantic hubbub going on around you.  In this quiet world you can rest if you want.

When you want.

« Last Edit: January 13, 2014, 06:42:04 am by agate »
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SPMS, diagnosed 1980. Avonex 2001-2004. Copaxone 2007-2010. Glatopa (glatiramer acetate 40mg 3 times/week) since 12/16/20.