I visit a nursing home and two of my favorite people died yesterday, damn.

[texanwitch]

They were old friends that lived next door and then moved into the nursing home together.

I will miss them.

I know a lot of people don't like to visit nursing homes but so many people have no vistors.

These two ladies were a lot of fun to be with.

They will be buried next to each other, just what they wanted.

The last trip we had was to Galveston a few months ago.

They were 90 and 92, and passed in their sleep.

Have a good journey ladies.

[Demoiselle]

1. I'm glad they were able to be together.

And I'm glad you visit that nursing home.Getting old can be so lonely.

[texanwitch]

2. So many people have family but on on visits them.

The nursing home I visit is great.

I am very popular person when I enter the door.

I wish schools would adopt a nearby nursing home and require kids to visit.

My friend has two children and they love to visit the home.

[old mark]

3. TW, there are many worse ways to go. I hope I am never in a place like that,

I am sure I would never have a visitor. I admire what you do very much.



mark

[texanwitch]

5. This home is really nice, very clean and people looked after.

I hope to pass in my sleep when the time comes.

Homes should be lively places not places to put the old and injured.

There are several younger people at this home with brain injuries.

Only a handful of the people seem to have family or friend visit.

[MiddleFingerMom]

4. Wonderful of you to visit.

.
.
.
When MiddleFingerMomMom was in one, even the most hardened nurses
would get all misty-eyed when they spoke of the abandoned patients --
most of whom had family in the area who NEVER visited -- not even
during the holidays.
.
.
I LOVE your idea of schools adopting a nursing home.
.
.
Those folks almost universally LOVE visits by children and animals.
.
.
.

[texanwitch]

6. My friend's kids just light up the place.

So many kids do not live near their Grandparents and never know seniors.

The home has two dogs that come to visit.

[hippywife]

7. Thank you for visiting.

I work in a retirement community with a nursing home. We try to keep them as active and entertained as possible but it can be really difficult with some of them, and sometimes all it takes is a kind look, a smile or a touch of their hand to make their day.

How wonderful your friends were so close that they actually went together. It's not unusual for a married couple to go close together but I've never even seen them go that close together.

:hug:

[texanwitch]

8. They were childhood friends, more like sisters.

You are right, just a smile or a kind word goes a long way.

It is hard to see them go, but that is part of life.

I try to reach out to the new people coming in, before they get to sad.

Some people do well, others just sit and die.

[nolabear]

9. Sad and yet satisfying, enit? I used to do animal assisted therapy in a nursing home.

My Golden Retriever Joe and I trained with The Delta Society and visited a nursing home weekly for a long time. Jow was that once-in-a-lifetime dog, smart, tender-hearted, and such a love sponge that even the most rough treatment (I didn't let anyone hurt him but dementia being what it is, sometimes they would latch on pretty hard) was slurped up. I trained him to snugle up close to those who couldn't move, to jump up and put his paws on my forearm so bedridden people could pet him, to tuck under the nearest piece of furniture in case of need to get out of the way quick, and to stay very close by the side of someone with a walker or wheelchair. He was stellar.

I grew to love some of those folks and deaths were hard. But most of the time it was just my job to get out of the way and let Joe work his magic. Sometimes he was the only one people would talk to--not me, not staff. One lovely man who didn't speak much English never left his room except when he took Joe's leash and, with his walker, they very, very slowly went up and down the hall (me trailing discreetly behind). People who hardly recalled anything from their current lives told me about every dog they'd ever had. It was one of the most complex, satisfying, sad things I've ever done...or let Joe do.

Damn I miss that dog.

(Edited to say I got so caught up in my own memories that I forgot to say how wonderful you are, and to thank you.)

[texanwitch]

10. Joe was a fine dog, the two of you helped so many people.

The two dogs that visit the home are mutts for the most part.

One is large about 70lbs, the other is small.

The people who live there loves the dogs and do talk about their pets.

It is sad and happy to visit home.

People die and new ones come in, life goes on.

Then watching people who have dementia, that is hard to watch.

They go into their own little world, many back to their younger days.

It can be fun talking to them, just go with the flow.

The home I visit is small maybe 80 full time, some just there for rehab.

I am lucky, I have lots of parents and grandparents now.

[Flaxbee]

11. I'm sorry, texanwitch

That has to be very hard on you; incredible that two good friends died the same day. They must have been very 'in tune' with one another.

My mom is in assisted living and still pretty active, and has a cat who makes her very happy. I live 2000 miles away, though one sister lives in town and visits often (so do my mom's grandkids). It is very hard, though to see many people who don't have visitors regularly.

I'd like to do what you do, texanwitch, once I can get to a more secure/stable work situation.

[texanwitch]

12. It will be hard at first but you will learn to love it.

Some people you won't be able to reach but most will be happy to see you.

[lukasahero]

13. I used to visit them in high school

And would like to again. Can you just walk in or do you need to make special arrangements?

It's a very nice thing you do. I am sorry for your loss.

[texanwitch]

14. I started going to this home because of a neighbor was staying there.

I would think that you would want to talk to someone at the home first.

Just to let them know that you just want to visit.

I have a good time.

The two ladies were really special, very active for their ages.

[Lucinda]

15. You are doing a truly wonderful thing :)

I'm glad for your friends that they passed together. And that they had you to visit them.

[texanwitch]

18. I thought this would happen.

They were neighbors and friends for over 70 years.

I am glad they are together now.

[orleans]

16. thank you for what you do

i couldn't do that.

i grew up in a three generational house, adored my nana and was extremely close to her. i used to visit with the elderly couple across the street, and the very elderly lady down the block, and the elderly couple three houses down when i was a kid. they were my friends. but when i was seven i went with my brownie troupe to a nursing home to sing christmas carols and when i stood in front of these older people, and saw how sad and alone they seemed i broke out crying and ran out the front door. i couldn't handle it. maybe i was imagining how sad it would be if my nana had to be there, without me and her family. i don't know. maybe it's the ending of this lifetime that gets me--i'm not sure.

i just know that all these years and even now, at my computer, it makes me tear up. my mom passed in a nursing home (our worst nightmare--although the place wasn't so bad). she was only going to be there two weeks and then come home. but that didn't happen.

i'm glad there are people like you who can do that. for whatever reason i am not mentally or emotionally equipped. (and now, since my mom passed i start tearing up when i see an older woman that reminds me of her--hair, face, mouth, hands, back, walk.)

[texanwitch]

17. I know not everyone can do this, sometimes it is hard for me.

I lost my Grandparents years ago before I was even 20.

It has helped visiting the home now with both of my parents gone.

I think this helped me deal with my Father's death, knowing that I can help someone else.

Take care of yourself, I do take more notice of men my Father's age.

I think that is normal.

You were lucky to grow up with Granparents, kids need Grandparents.