Welcome

Isn't the title a little insensitive? Couldn't you have come up with a better title?

Yes & yes, but political correctness aside, if you are reading this, the title accomplished its purpose, to get people to read. Yes, people; all people, not just old people, but young people, middle people, fat people, skinny people, people who climb on rocks.

Why me? I'm not old.

That's the point. The tricky part is - once you are really old, there is very little you can do to prevent a nursing home stay. So, the younger you are, the better chances you will give yourself. Also, nobody plans on moving to a nursing home. I don't see people who wake up in the morning and look at their calendar and see, "10:00 a.m., check into Shady Acres Nursing Home" "Yippee! I have been waiting years for this day! I am so glad I haven't taken care of myself so I can finally share a 300 square foot room with a person I don't know. We can listen to each other moan in pain and turn up "The Price Is Right" really loud and complain about how Drew Carey isn't nearly as good as Bob Barker."

The facts

• 43% of those people who turned age 65 in 1990 will enter a nursing home at some time during their life
• Among all persons who live to age 65
  
• 1 in 3 will spend three months or more in a nursing home
  
• 1 in 4 will spend one year or more in a nursing home
  
• 1 in 11 will spend five years or more in a nursing home

The reality:

While working at an assisted living community a few years back, an elderly woman's family came to me very distraught. Their mother who had been a bubbly & vivacious lady all her life had taken a turn. She didn't remember any of her kids; she could hardly remember her name; she was wandering out of her home and not being able to find her way home. They were afraid she would have to move to a nursing home. After meeting with Mom and the family some more, we were able to arrange to have her stay in our secure area.

After only a few days living with us, this woman made an incredible turnaround! Come to find out, while she was living alone, she wasn't taking her medications and all she was eating was Pepsi and chips! Amazing what proper medicating and nutrition can do. After a few weeks of monitoring, she was able to move out of the high care area where she was. She found herself enjoying life with her increased independence.

These is what I have to share - experiences from those who have been there. I share this so you don't have to go there.