$Unique_ID{BRK00847}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Are All Nursing Homes Terrible Places to Live?}
$Subject{nursing home environment aging}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Are All Nursing Homes Terrible Places to Live?



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QUESTION:  I dread the thought that my mother must soon take up residence in a
nursing home.  Tell me the horror stories are not true.  Are they all terrible
places to live?

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ANSWER:  Not at all.  Even the best nursing homes could probably be better but
certainly not all of them are deplorable.  Many give exemplary care and
residents are treated with compassion.  Your mother's physician can help you
make the necessary choice and probably can relieve some of your, and her
concerns.
     For many--and you and I may well be among them sooner than we like to
think--placing someone dear in a nursing home may be the only workable choice
that we have for many good reasons.
     Possibly, your mother may make more friends in the right nursing home
than she could living with you.  She may get better physical treatment there,
for such reasons as aides who are strong enough to lift her properly if she
falls or who can deal with her more objectively than you can.
     She can move from one home to another if you and she feels she must, but
stays in one home for lengthy periods are not uncommon.  Long stays will be
expensive and may impoverish her and your Dad (not you, because children's
assets are not included in government assessments concerning need).  When the
assets are gone, she can still remain in many nursing homes under Medicaid.
     Your mother, you, your marriage, and your children at home may all
benefit from having your mother in a location where she is cared for
professionally, safe, and near enough to be visited regularly.
     Very probably your mother will not like the food at the home.  After all,
she prepared food "her way" for decades, and no institution could possibly
reach her standards of excellence.  So you may be able to help her, and feel a
bit better yourself, by preparing a favorite dish for her, and bring it with
you during a frequent visit.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
