I’ve been sick almost a week. Nothing major, but I’ve had to stay home from work. Completing everyday tasks has felt like swimming through jello, and once I’ve finished them I’ve had to lie down to rest. My lack of productivity has been incredibly frustrating. It would be easy to fall into a depression. And … Read more
Resident is a married White 84-year old woman admitted to My Better Nursing Home on 1/1/11 with Dx of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. ∅ psychotropic meds. Resident was born in NY, has a PhD in psychology, and worked in nursing homes until her retirement. Involved family. Chart reviewed and resident discussed with staff. Resident was alert, Ox3, and … Read more
2010 has been an exciting year here at My Better Nursing Home, and I’d like to thank you all for visiting and reaching out to me with your questions and ideas. I’ve made new connections through my blog, and deepened relationships with others who’ve been visiting and commenting for some time. Some highlights of 2010 … Read more
Give ’em hell Knit Hang out on the patio from Spring through Fall Attend every off-campus trip available Read Write Join, or start, the International Association of Nursing Home Residents Sit in the lobby and watch the people come and go, while knitting Attend the Classic Rock and R&B performances in therapeutic recreation Take a … Read more
Give ’em hell Knit Hang out on the patio from Spring through Fall Attend every off-campus trip available Read Write Join, or start, the International Association of Nursing Home Residents Sit in the lobby and watch the people come and go, while knitting Attend the Classic Rock and R&B performances in therapeutic recreation Take a … Read more
A little over a year ago, I decided to stop coloring my hair (Going Gray). I’d started to feel uncomfortable hiding my silver while I was spending my days helping folks deal with growing older. I kept a box of fire red in the closet, though, just in case it was a disaster. I got … Read more
Last week I had the pleasure of attending McKnights free Online Expo, my first virtual conference. I registered in advance for the event, which can still be accessed at the McKnights website. When the conference day arrived, I logged onto the site to see a conference hall up on my screen, complete with “rooms” to … Read more
I find it challenging to tell my residents I’m going on vacation, though I’m better at it than I used to be. I like to go to fabulous places, and they’re stuck in the nursing home. I know I need to “recharge my batteries,” as I tell them, and I’ve learned a few things along … Read more
In my May 10. 2009 post, I mentioned I’d decided to stop dying my hair. After reading Henry Alford‘s book, How to Live: A Search for Wisdom from Old People (While They Are Still on This Earth), I started thinking about the message I was sending my patients. Almost all of them are in their … Read more
I tend to think of myself as an 85-year old woman, sitting in my nursing home room, reflecting back on my life. It’s an occupational hazard, but one I’m happy about. I take the long view of things, and have embarked on adventures now because I don’t want to be regretful later. The hours I’ve … Read more