More on Nursing Homes  

Dear Reader, Nursing homes are a blessing, and they certainly fill a need. On the other hand, they can be sad places to visit. When I was in a nursing home with my first knee replacement, there were a certain number of rooms set aside for Medicare patients and those requiring only rehabilitation. When I went back after my second knee replacement, this wasn't the case. I shared my room with a one hundred and one year old woman who was a dear, but wasn't in condition to care for herself. In contrast, I was able to care for myself and didn't want to turn off my light at seven o'clock in the evening! A dividing curtain helped somewhat, but I felt guilty that I might be disturbing her. There were little lights over the bed, but so dull that you couldn't read by them. At least once a night the big ceiling light was lit so that the aides and nurses could see to perform their duties on my roommate. This is as it should be, but I take a period of time to get back to sleep after being awakened. Again, before six a.m., on came the light so as to get my roommate up and dressed and ready to eat breakfast. I had trays in my room because I didn't need assistance with eating so I could have slept until I awakened on my own. I was willing to pay for the second bed, but evidently nursing homes are crowded and need all the rooms for patients. I can understand this, but felt that these issues slowed down my recovery process. Again the therapy was excellent, and everything was done to assist me in regaining my strength, but times had changed and it wasn't all for the better. Not wanting to leave you on a negative note, the staff was good to me and the food was excellent - you can't beat that. Also, the home provided many activities, meetings, games, and fun for those who wished to participate. Grandma