Share | For the geriatric generation a nursing home becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The level of inactivity results in rapid loss of muscle mass, and CNS function. If the patients is not vegetative to start with, they soon will be. There is a clear connection between the physical demand and intellectual engagement of independent living/survival and CNS capacity. The same can be said for a care taker wherein the patient becomes dependent and bedridden.
I remember a family concerned over the old man burning himself up in his home. He had started two fires by accident, extinguishing both without help. The family was worried and felt guilt. They insisted on a nursing home. They placed him in one and then another facility. He hated them both. They sold his house. The old man was vegetative within the year. The loss of familiar surroundings and the demands of daily living amounted to an insurmountable loss for this old man. He was not alone.
Far too many seniors get put away at enormous cost -- and abandonment. This phenomena sadly occurs in America far more than in any other culture. Furthermore, the insurance industry enshrines the practice with advertising and nursing home coverage. Medicare furthers the concept as does the option of medicaid. The corruption of medicaid in this matter is a story in itself.
In other cultures the old man or woman is honored with respect engagement and ongoing responsibilities, far beyond the basic needs of living. The grand parent or great grand parent remains in the family as a stabilizing influence, baby sitter, house sitter, dog sitter, gofer, watchdog wood cutter, gardner and venerated source of wisdom. These demands preclude atrophy of both brain and body. There is no wonder why the life expectancy in the US is so much lower than in much of the rest of the world. According to a CIA study in 2010 America comes in 37th. We are number one in cost however.
I remember a family concerned over the old man burning himself up in his home. He had started two fires by accident, extinguishing both without help. The family was worried and felt guilt. They insisted on a nursing home. They placed him in one and then another facility. He hated them both. They sold his house. The old man was vegetative within the year. The loss of familiar surroundings and the demands of daily living amounted to an insurmountable loss for this old man. He was not alone.
Far too many seniors get put away at enormous cost -- and abandonment. This phenomena sadly occurs in America far more than in any other culture. Furthermore, the insurance industry enshrines the practice with advertising and nursing home coverage. Medicare furthers the concept as does the option of medicaid. The corruption of medicaid in this matter is a story in itself.
In other cultures the old man or woman is honored with respect engagement and ongoing responsibilities, far beyond the basic needs of living. The grand parent or great grand parent remains in the family as a stabilizing influence, baby sitter, house sitter, dog sitter, gofer, watchdog wood cutter, gardner and venerated source of wisdom. These demands preclude atrophy of both brain and body. There is no wonder why the life expectancy in the US is so much lower than in much of the rest of the world. According to a CIA study in 2010 America comes in 37th. We are number one in cost however.
No comments:
Post a Comment