How many of you personally visit nursing homes at least weekly for strangers who are lonely?
952135
I visited my great-grandmother's a few days ago to fix her digital clock after the power went out, and she lives in a nursing home...\n\nI usually drop in once every week to talk to her...
459434
I used to volunteer at a nursing home when i was younger. It was more of a companionship for the older people. I would talk to them, play the piano, one became my pen- pal and I've learned alot from her, take them to the cafeteria for icecrem,. Why did i do it? It felt good knowing that every time i went there i put a smile on someones face. I brightend someones day, who didn't have any family. So for me i volunteer for things that make me feel good inside, other might have to do it cuz they got in some kind of trouble, some do it for school. But my reason is from the heart....
139301
That's a really good question, and on the surface not as easy to answer as one might think. I had never really thought about it. \n\nI am known for being a loner in the sense that I don't go  out and do things with other people very much.  Actually, its pretty rare.  I am pretty much a person who likes to stay home, and I live alone, so one could probably say, I am a loner.\n\nBut it's like I told my dad once, "I may be alone, but I am not lonely." I  believe the answer to the quetion  depends on how one feels when they are alone.  \n\nA person who chooses to be alone may still feel lonely. And if he/she feels lonely, they probably are not loners.\n\nMake any sense?
1069741
Yes but with someone other than my kids and grandmother and my 2 blind uncles.  And I'de like to go somewhere besides the doctor, grocery store, PTO meetings and the kids school. I'de like to get out with just my husband. We haven't been out together just the two of us since my son was born 10 yrs ago. Not that I don't love them all just wishing for some alone time that's all.And some uniterupted adult conversation about something other than doctors, medicine and what the next money maker will be.
224107
more times than i can count but it's normal to feel lonely. i've got a lot of things i can appreciate, but sometimes i feel like crap. you'll get through it.
714016
Spend part of the day at a shelter feeding the homeless or visiting someone in a nursing home that has no family to visit them. It will make you appreciate what you have and give you a good feeling for helping someone in need.☼
961344
Are you looking to work there or place someone there.  Whatever state you are in you can look for state board of nursing.  If you are looking to place someone in a nursing home go visit don't just go by ratings.  Trust me please.  Things are not what you would expect.  The staff knows when the state comes in to inspect and the try to have everything ship shape.  I highly don't  recommend.  I know what goes on in there.
476952
Since you're alone with the 2 of them, make a schedule and place it at eye level in the rooms where you need to remind yourself of certain things. (Bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, laundry room).\nSpend a bit of time each week making up a menu for each day's meals and a shopping list for what you need.\nKeep a magnetic shopping list handy on your fridge to remind you of anything you need to pick up as you go along (toiletries, meds)\nPick up a timer for meds (but most drug stores provide a pre-packaged dosette for meds and all you have to do is give them out when necessary. Can you ask for this service in your area?)\nI don't know what they are capable of managing but spend some time during the day going outside, weather permitting.\nWatch a short movie you would all enjoy or a favourite programme.\nDo they enjoy crafts? Have hobbies? Read? Play board games or cards?\nHave a quiet time, listening to music. Dim the lights, light a candle.\nLook at old photos, take new ones.\nStop for tea or coffee. Invite someone over to chat.\nIf you can manage, get a low maintenance pet. A cat or bird. It's amazing what a pet can do for housebound people. My mother has dementia and the nursing home has a cat and dog. She adores them and vice versa.\nAbove all, make some time for yourself. Is it possible to get some respite care a few hours each week so you can get a break? Your well-being is important too.\nI have elderly parents too and just visiting, taking them to doctors' appointments and looking after their affairs is exhausting. I also have a family and work. I wish you well and admire you for taking this on. Not too many people would. God bless.
109853
yes sumtimes when i feel like it.. but if its a stranger then uhm.. probably not.. unless he/she is friendly lookin..
357073
Call the nursing homes in your area and ask to speak with the program director or volunteer coordinator. Good for you! God bless you! Have fun!
393859
i completely understand. i have the same problem. i think you have to be happy. just because there are people around doesn't mean you can't be lonely. like something is missing and you're not quite sure what sometimes. doctors sometimes help but i think it's all something that can be worked on by ourselves it just may take awhile. i'm sure this isn't really an answer but at least you know you're not alone in this aspect :)
614409
loneliness is juat a state of mind....
185996
Don't feel self conscious about it. I do it all of the time.Sometimes i prefer to be alone so that i can leave when i want or stay as long as i like.Find a bar where lots of after work people meet .I bet you will see you are not the only one who comes alone.Also I  have met lots of interesting people this way.If it is still uncomfortable maybe you could find a co-worker that would want to stop too.It does not look bad to me when i see someone come in alone.At all.But I do remember feeling the same way you do when i first started stopping by myself.
420261
I have been a nurse for 20 years and I have learned that when our loved ones get to the point in there fragile days when we can no longer give them the kind of care they need and deserve, that we are not abandoning them or throwing them away, we are showing them that we do indeed Love them.\nMost nursing homes I have had the honor to work in allow family members to visit no matter what time of the day or night the family chooses to come. Most of the time the residents with advanced Alzheimer's don't remember that u were there but the staff will. And trust me when I say this that when we lose that Loved one that we visited, and loved there will be no regrets and your conscious will be at peace.
360976
I didn't think about it until I had actually experienced first-hand, but the elderly are most certainly mistreated in nursing homes:\n\nIn my freshman year of high school, our English teacher asked us to do a community service project with either the elderly, special needs or other worthy cause. We were to pick a specific location and work for 6 hours. I chose the elderly in a nursing home close to my house.\n\nWhen I went there, the place was very quiet, and not lively at all. It was almost creepy. Then, when we went to help the elderly, the staff asked my friend and I to assist the elderly during their meal by coaxing them to eat, opening things, and sometimes even feed them. However, the more self-sufficient adults were in one area, while the severely handicapped were on the other side of the room. One particular nurse was FORCING and SHOVING food into an elderly lady's mouth. The lady could not get up; she had to be reclined and could barely open her eyes, let alone her mouth. The nurse kept pushing and shoving food into the lady's mouth, and food started to drip down.\n\nAfter I saw this horrible act, I have vowed to never, ever send my parents to a nursing home of any kind. I'll stay home and take care of them myself.
841973
I work in a Nursing Home, so it is ppl
307564
It could be a very special bond between the two.  Like if the eldery person does not have many family members there to visit with they are truly happy that a younger person that may have better things to do is, is choosing to hang with them instead. I worked in a nursing home from 18-20 and i saw that alot of the people there didnt have visitors come so i sat with them and even came in on days off to visit with them, and they seemed to be happier because they have someone to talk to and know that the person also cares for them. Now on the teenager side, it often is easier to talk to an eldery person than it is to friends and family and they are great listeners. And they can almost always get good advice from them since they have been around longer. And to be honest i liked hanging out with the eldery folk more than my own friends, they have more stories, they are less likely to turn their back on you, and they are funny at heart. I do miss working in the nursing home just for that fact, But i cant go back because Ive seen too many of them pass on and cant deal with that again.