I spent every day OF 14 years in nursing homes taking care of both my father and mother-in-law in a succession of nursing homes. He had Alzheimers; she had Parkinsons and age related dementia.

At first, the places were fantastic...a fellow in a tux playing a grand piano at all meals...immaculate surroundings inside and out. Very few visitors for ANY of the residents. I guess families were too busy spending the money they now had access to.

As Ma and Pa got weaker, they were not able to make it to the dining room and were asked to leave. The care got more intense and the places got more depressing. Having money did not matter; it was a question of finding the best place available for patients in their condition. For the last six years they were both alive, they were in different facilities.

One dramatic difference was the number of visitors. Seems like the families with the least assets were the most caring.

Unlike the first places, there were lots of daily visitors...lots of spouses who, for years, faithfully showed up to sit and care for their loved one.

I learned a lot about what being a person of substance is, and it has little to do with your bank account.

Really sad!


Russ


As they became more infirm, they didn't meet