Nursing homes are never a fun place to go, in my opinion. I have never liked going to them since I was a child because they just exude so much sadness, and "the end is near" resonates in my head as I cross over into that threshold. When I heard the news that my grandpa was being transferred to this nursing home from the hospital my heart sank. I didn't wan to go. Hospitals are bad enough, but nursing homes...ugh.
Not to get too much into my personal life, but my grandpa is there because he needs to have physical therapy after a mini stroke. I honestly didn't know nursing homes offered such services, and I decided to go and see what this was all about. As I pulled into the parking lot of the nursing home, my stomach knotted up and my heart started to beat a little faster. Old images of preconceived ideas shot up as old memories thrust themselves forward and I was dreading it.
I gathered my wits, and walked into the lobby. The receptionist must be used to the regulars that come in because she didn't offer to help me, and didn't require me to sign in. I asked her where to go, and she gave me a vague idea after I walked through the double doors.
Once I walked in to the main section, I have to admit I was a bit surprised. The halls were well lit, and ironic as it sounds, the place didn't smell of the traditional nursing homes that I remember from the past. There were some people sitting in the halls, but the majority of them were smiling and seemed happy, and well taken care of.
When I got down to the physical therapy section to see my grandpa, I was surprised to see a chorus going, and the halls were swelling with beautiful and happy voices singing songs that I'm sure invoked many memories of youth.
In the physical therapy ward I was even more pleased when I saw the staff and how they treated the people. They knew each one by name, and treated them all with kid gloves, while still being encouraging enough to get them to do their therapy. It made me feel so much better, and I'm so glad that I actually went down there to see this place. The people weren't just wandering around looking lost, and every chair and bed had an alarm on it in case that resident got up or fell at any time. When it comes to nursing homes, this one definitely seems to be high on the list and has definitely changed my stereotypical view of these places.
Keep up the great work Tri-County Extended Care, and thank you for putting me a little more at ease. read more