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Show Nursing home/9 Amid physical and mental deterioration, pain and loneliness, the elderly are often struggling to achieve dignity. Many won't dress, eat in the dining room, shave or bathe. Some complain constantly, unwilling to cooperate. When one's life revolves around the bathroom, a meal, sitting, staring, and bathroom again, no wonder depression sets in and leaves a bitter taste. The pluses do come, though. John, who called "Die! Die! Die!" ventured into the hall. Bertha, totally paralyzed, learned to drive her motorized wheelchair and the staff dubbed it her "hot rod." Mother bravely avoided complaining, bearing her pain privately. Bessie, Chloe and Florence went to "get pretty" in the home's beauty shop. These were triumphant moments for us all. For some people nursing homes are structures to stare at as they drive by. After months of going there, we realized that being inside may be our own dress rehearsal. - 000 - |