Dealing with hostile surroundings

There are a lot of resident changes going on in this nursing home. Earlier this year, a man close to 60 who'd lived here for over three years, moved live with others who were hearing-impaired like him. Then, yesterday I heard Social Services telling a visually impaired resident that he will soon be moving to live with visually impaired people like himself. I would think residents would be happier living with others with a similar disability. However, I don't know that for sure. They are kind of square pegs in round holes here. There is not much visually impaired or deaf residents can do for entertainment. Although, I know Social Services tried to get the visually impaired resident interested in Talking Books, without much success.,

Most of these residents live set apart from society. Some of them have no idea what's going on in the outside world. If they do have outside relationships, they are dependent on the person who visits them. The relationship is in no way equal. The person who visits is always a benefactor to those residents. I know it doesn't feel good to always be given to, even if you do need what is given.

Since my troubles with the involuntary discharge letter last week, this week, without my foreknowledge, two nursing home representatives visited me here the other day. I was shocked and them visiting felt like a curveball out of left field. In fact, I thought the first woman visited was an aide from a sister facility. I reasoned that she was coming to help me straighten my room and closets yesterday. That's something I have asked for for several months. It's amazing how wishful thinking pushes itself into all phases of my life.

I ended up telling the woman I was not interested in moving about 40 miles southeast where I know no one. I felt aggrieved because she dropped in right as my breakfast was ending. I felt that was invasive. I believe I told her that, and I certainly hope she listened. I just don't think it's good business to make cold sales calls to already housed nursing home residents.

The second facility rep came from a facility 20 miles northeast. I was sitting waiting to go to the bathroom outside my room. When she approached with the Social Services nurse, I explained I needed aide assistance to the bathroom. The woman acknowledged it, but kept on talking. To me, I felt it was inappropriate to disturb me. But she forged on anyway, although I thought I sensed some discomfort on her part.

I did talk to the woman. I told her I was looking for a private room and wondered if her facility what put me in one. When she said no, I asked if there might be a quiet room where I could put my desktop PC and be able to sit and write uninterrupted by a roommate. She told me she was sorry but they did not have anything like that. I told her that's what I was looking for. I explained I'm a writer, am trying to write a book. I told her it's very difficult to write and think in a semi private room with a roommate. She acted like she sort of understood. But, I wonder if she would be able to understand.

I don't have any animosity against those two representatives.. I just don't know why this was done. Maybe it's standard operating procedure. But if it is, I think it needs to stop. I wonder how management would feel if I called other facilities and their representatives visited me here about moving. I've only ever done that one time, at a previous nursing home. I'm sure they never thought I would move. Most people know I'm not a wanderer – not long after the meet me.

I told them if I moved anywhere it would be to southeastern Ohio. After all, that's where my parents are buried, and where my final resting place is.