Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Change

Change is never easy, especially when it involves a move. We have moved 19 times in 40 years, some places were as little as a year. Lots of transfers but all along the way we were lucky to have help, family or movers or both.

This past weekend we moved my Mom to a new facility closer to us. She has spent the last 4 years in a specialized unit for Alzheimer's patients but after a fall last August, she's lost so much strength that she is in a wheelchair. She's been well taken care of and felt that it was truly home so we thought long and hard about a move.

For the last two years we've watched as a huge facility went up out on New Hope Road. An article months ago called Jamestown "NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S NURSING HOME." Built more like a nice resort than a nursing home, the rooms are huge. When you enter there's light pouring into the hallways from a central courtyard, framed with windows floor to ceiling. A huge covered porch welcomes resident to come outside and sit in rockers under the paddle fans. It's Grandma's house all right, the overall feeling to guests is that it is a home. They are using points of the Eden Alternative , pets to be enjoyed, activities to nurture and fill the days and quality of life. A new idea but an old, old principle...treat others as you would like to be treated. It can be done, it is being done in health care facilities across the world now.

If your family is facing this hard decision, visit all of the facilities in your area and ask about the Eden Alternative. The more we expect and demand, the faster change will come.

7 comments:

  1. Hope your mother is happy in her new digs. So many of us are dealing with aging parents. Guess that's our station in life right now.

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  2. Good Morning Joycee, what a wonderful place for your Mom to live. It sounds like an exceptional facilty and it must give you peace knowing that she is well taken care of in a place that feels like home to you but most especially to your Mom. Too bad they all couldn't be more like this! Enjoy your day...Maura :)

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  3. My uncle was in a very nice facility in his later years. It was such a beautiful place, much like you describe.

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  4. thank you and we are very glad you see gods sunshine thru this change of life

    and the music has spoken of gods peace we all need in and at all times in all of all my life and family and freinds like you
    god bless more sunshine for you and your family lifes
    god blees all sunshine more and every day trust in him

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  5. How wonderful that you were able to find such a happy place for your dear Mother.
    I truly believe that we must treat others as we would want to be treated.
    It would be a much better world if every one tried to be respectful and kind to others.
    I will mention the Eden Alternative to my friends. Thank you for sharing Joycee.

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  6. that's great that your mom is in such a place and to have it closer to you, double blessing! have a great day.

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  7. I wish we has something that nice around here but we don't. Trish

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