On the 6Th floor you no longer smell the fragrances from the beautiful lobby (which is amazing and looks better then most lobbies) you soon smell odd odors of pee, medicines and body sprays that never smell good. Many of the patients were in wheel chairs in the hallways talking to strangers because there were so lonely or just mumbling to themselves. Many of the nurses were minorities and they didn't really pay any attention to the patients. On the walls of the hallway there were pictures of patients smiling in costumes, dancing, bowling, do all kinds of activities. Seeing these pictures confused me because when looking at the lifeless patients I couldn't picture them doing all of these activities.
This experience helped me realize I rather just take care of my parents when they need help instead of sending them to a nursing home, because I feel like its hard for the nurses and doctors to keep track of all the patients and actually spend quality time with each and every patient, and I believe once your sent to a nursing home you feel alone and want as much company as possible.
In our culture it is very common for families to send there ill family members to a nursing home because it is an easy way out and they don't have to take responsibility for another human being. This is important because once someone because unable to take care of themselves people feel like they are a burden and usually try to get rid of them or take the ill person to a place were they know they can be taken care physically but not always mentally and emotionally. When looking into nursing homes I believe people should look at all aspects such as activities the community, the nurses, the food, lay in the beds for 10 minuets, take a shower, anything to make sure the living conditions are suitable.
Steph-
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post, and found it very descriptive. It helped me get a better understanding of what a nursing home is like. I found it ironic that people think its for the best to send ill patients to a nursing home without really putting ourselves in their shoes. I honestly don't even think the nurses care about their patients-they just do their 'job.' A line I liked specifically was, "This experience helped me realize I rather just take care of my parents when they need help instead of sending them to a nursing home, because I feel like its hard for the nurses and doctors to keep track of all the patients." I completely agree with you, and I personally don't like the idea of nursing homes-it makes me question if its really 'homelike.'
This post was very interesting and got me thinking. There are always quotes from different movies alluding to the idea that nursing homes are not always what they are made out to be. I never really believed this because how could someone neglect a person in need? But after reading what you said, I understand that it technically is only a job. I really liked when you said, "On the walls of the hallway there were pictures of patients smiling in costumes, dancing, bowling, do all kinds of activities. Seeing these pictures confused me because when looking at the lifeless patients I couldn't picture them doing all of these activities." The pictures are put there as inspiration, even though everyone there knows that those pictures are far from reality. I really enjoyed your approach on this topic and the way you questioned the credibility of nursing homes.
ReplyDelete*Posted by mentor
Steph - Your post and your experience in the nursing home reminded me a lot of when I went to a nursing home. The description in your opening paragraph immediatly embraces the reader. The line that stood out to me the most was, "In our culture it is very common for families to send there ill family members to a nursing home because it is an easy way out and they don't have to take responsibility for another human being." I agree with you, at a certain point people loose patience and the ability to stay sane, they resort to the "professionals" and loose the constant contact. It would be interesting for you to visit another nursing home and see if they are similar or different. Overall I thought this was very thoughtful and liked the way you described it while presenting to the class!
ReplyDeleteYou talked about the change in the nursing home as you get higher up in the buliding. The first floor was set up nicely, warm and home but as you went uo in the buliding in got less homie.I wonder how come? Great post
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