Unfortunate Truth About Nursing Homes

* Judith Jacovitz’s commentary on nursing homes, “A Place You Want to Avoid” (Aug. 1), should be required reading for all. Every word is true. I never knew how true until I had to put my 90-year-old mother in one.

I cared for her in my home for the last 15 years, but after she broke her hip and the prognosis was that she could not be without custodial aid at any time due to other health reasons, mine included, we chose a “home.” She went from the hospital to a short-term nursing home to a long-term facility.

While living with me for more than 15 years, she had her own room, TV, good meals, clean clothes. Now at her ripe old age she has had to adapt to so many new sounds, foods (she says mostly macaroni, macaroni, macaroni) and no privacy.

The lack of privacy is the worst. She has been placed with women who scream for no reason, snore, slobber, wheeze and have terrible bathroom habits.

During the day, you can reason where and who these sounds come from. At night, sounds are amplified. They come from other rooms, from unknown footsteps down the hall. It must be just plain scary. She says that you get used to it. I cry that she has had to.

Now, envision all of these patients, both men and women, all together in the so-called “family room,” dining together, having “fun” together. I won’t go into the menu or agenda. Visit a nursing home, in case you do not have any imagination.

The staff tries to do their best with the budget given to them and within the guidelines that have been established for operation of their business.

Bear in mind, it is a business, and with all businesses, the bottom line is profit. The staff tries to treat the residents/patients with dignity; they try to place compatible people together.

Let’s face it, most of the patients do not wish to have anything to do with the others. Would you? They value the visits from their own families the most.

Yes, Judith, I would not dispute a word that you have written. Yes, it is spotlessly clean. Yes, the staff is great. Yes, it is sad that there is not a better way. And yes, I hope that I drop dead before that ever happens to me.

CAROL FERGUSON

Glendale