A sad day

[shootingstar]

Solobiker, you make difference in your job professionally. But take care of yourself also ..so that you can give well to others.

My partner's mother is 92 and has been in nursing home for past 18 months. It bothers him to hear his mother fret if she will make to her birthday...this coming Feb. She even wonders if she will make it past this Christmas.

The nursing home is part of a major teaching hospital so there is the best care given here with experts and high ratio of health care workers per patient. But still difficult to see...

My baby sister (who's 38) is a family and emergency services doctor. She emphasizes that families sometimes have this romantic idea of having their loved one die at home. The thing is that many people find it difficult to care for and see their loved one...die.

[roadie gal]

Thank you Solobiker. Working in a nursing home is a tough job both physically and mentally. It's wonderful that these people, who are at their weakest point have someone like you who cares about them.

I work in an ER. (I know I've mentioned this a few times before.) I've seen a lot of death, but I usually don't have a relationship with the patient or family like you do. I've always said that when it stops affecting me, then I should quit and do something else. It must be much harder on you. My condolences for your loss and for the family's loss.

[OakLeaf]

((((((solobiker))))))

Amid your grief, I hope you know how important your work is, and how much residents, families and friends appreciate a therapist who really cares (even if they don't always show it). Thank you.

[IFjane]

I'm so sorry. ((((solobiker))))

We went through a similar situation when my grandfather passed away. Unfortunately my grandmother was there the entire time.

Thank you for caring about the people at the home. So few do. They're lucky to have you there

Same here when my Dad passed away in 2002. I felt so bad because it was all so undignified and he did not deserve that.

Solobiker, you have a difficult but very important job. Thank you for doing it day after day, year after year. It takes a special person to do that and you are clearly one of those special people.

[solobiker]

Thanks so much for all of your kind words. He was such a hard worker, although initially very stubborn and would often swear at me. I somehow managed to get on his good side and he always went above and beyond what I asked him to do. I know in this field we are not supposed to get attached, but I guess I am not wired that way. I see each person as an individual who needs something. I am sure people find it anoying that when they ask me "where is room 151" or any other room number. I honestly don't know, I only know the rooms by who is in it. Well thanks again.

[SalsaMTB]

Wow, this was a really really hard thread to read...

Solo, I can't think you enough for the services you provide. I just lost my mom last month to cancer, and in the last weeks of her life she was in a nursing home. My sisters and I can't speak highly enough for how special the people who work there are. I honestly don't know how you can handle working in that environment. It must be very hard emotionally. Just know, the families and the patients deeply appreciate it. When my mom found out she only had a week or two left, one of her final requests was for my dad to give one of her nurses a small gift from her to show her gratitude.