Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Closing the Doors


Yesterday I stopped in at a private nursing home to see two of our elderly members. The home is a cozy place with nice rooms and excellent care, but it is closing. The owner has dealt with health problems which were probably brought on by the stress of long hours. She had planned to stay until her oldest resident died but she recently turned 104, so the owner decided that she better leave or the old girl would out-live her.


I ended up talking with the owner for a while because one of our folk has already moved and the other was out with family. The reason she didn't sell is because she just didn't trust that prospective buyers were interested in providing the level of care she felt was in the best interests of her clients. Instead she found them good places in town.


I could tell the owner was struggling with her decision so I encouraged her not to feel guilty about attending to her own health and family. Her eyes immediately filled with tears. These elderly women are part of her family, and the decision to close is weighing heavily upon her. I assured her that what she has been doing has been a real ministry and that she needs to care for herself.


I wonder about what will happen to a number of these smaller. private nursing homes. They are the perfect environment for many seniors but the owner/caregivers are often in later midlife and worn out. It's hard to imagine who will replace them.


Any thoughts about this? What are your experiences with loved ones, family members, acquaintances in seniors' homes and residences?

3 comments:

IanD said...

I have been in nursing homes a couple of times in the past few years. The ones I have seen showed me patients well care for, which was heartening.

Personally, I hope I can push back the day that I might move to such a place by maintaining my mental, spiritual and physical health.

sjd said...

There are many "Health care" businesses that have lost sight of why they are really there$$$
It is hard to find somewhere that the people come before the dollar. Business schools are teaching the up and coming crop of entrapeneurs that there is big money in looking after the elderly, and showing them ways to "maxamize profits". Often there 1st question is not what do you need? It's how much are you covered for? Need it or not your getting it.

It's sad that there will soon be 1 less place that really cares, but you did the right thing in telling her to look after herself. There are too few people who really care to have them run themselves into the ground trying to save everyone.
God bless her!

Laura said...

Sorry...having "cookie" trouble with my computer...sounds way sweeter than it is.

Anyway, I have often driven by these private care homes and wondered how the owners manage. Caregiving, 24/7, takes such emotional and physical energy. Anyone to have ventured into that field for any length of time must be a generous, caring spirit.

We have experienced wonderful care for my Mom, over the last year and a half, in a smaller, older long term care facility. We have witnessed love and caring from housekeepers amd maintenance folk to the personal support workers,doctors and nurses. They have cared for Mom, as well as for our family during some of the more difficult times.
For many of the caregivers the shifts are tough, the pay not great, the work heavy and often unpleasant, and at times thankless and yet they remain caring, patient hopeful people. For many in nursing homes, the staff become their family.
These caregivers have been a lifeline to us. They have been friends that appeared when so many disappeared.
Too often, I don't think this profession gets the respect it really deserves.