Aging, What I have learned and know...

[Psalmist]

From 35 years (and ongoing) of nursing home ministry.

When the resident says, "I'm cold." I know now what the mean.
"What?, I can't hear you."
"Read that to me, I can't read it the type is too small."
Choosing between meds and groceries or gasoline.
When there's too much month at the end of the money.
When I get separated from Mrs Psalmist in the store and feel lost.
When I need to ask for help when I really need it.
When a person starts to loose their Independence.
Be early over be on time.
Though I have some serious health issues, I'm still who I am.

and

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.​

​

 

[meshak]

From 35 years (and ongoing) of nursing home ministry.

When the resident says, "I'm cold." I know now what the mean.
"What?, I can't hear you."
"Read that to me, I can't read it the type is too small."
Choosing between meds and groceries or gasoline.
When there's too much month at the end of the money.
When I get separated from Mrs Psalmist in the store and feel lost.
When I need to ask for help when I really need it.
When a person starts to loose their Independence.
Be early over be on time.
Though I have some serious health issues, I'm still who I am.

and

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.​

​

I went to nursing home one time. I did not know what to do. I could not communicate with them. I could not understand them at all.

 

[Pnevma]

Marriage moves from lover’s tiffs to contented silences.

(And heckling the television)

 

[meshak]

Marriage moves from lover’s tiffs to contented silences.

(And heckling the television)

I hardly watch TV. I wish to keep active physically until I die.

 

[Psalmist]

Marriage moves from lover’s tiffs to contented silences.

(And heckling the television)

With 51 years of marriage next month, that sounds about right.​

 

[JosephR]

For these..these are MINE.. the young BABES.. and the OLD... for these ARE MINE.. for whatever ye do to the least of these ye do to me...

love,,he must be love to do such..

 

[Psalmist]

I went to nursing home one time. I did not know what to do. I could not communicate with them. I could not understand them at all.

Nursing home ministry, or visiting a nursing home for is no easy task.

We (Mrs Psalmist and me) are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve, learn and grow in the nursing home ministry.
​

 

[bybee]

From 35 years (and ongoing) of nursing home ministry.

When the resident says, "I'm cold." I know now what the mean.
"What?, I can't hear you."
"Read that to me, I can't read it the type is too small."
Choosing between meds and groceries or gasoline.
When there's too much month at the end of the money.
When I get separated from Mrs Psalmist in the store and feel lost.
When I need to ask for help when I really need it.
When a person starts to loose their Independence.
Be early over be on time.
Though I have some serious health issues, I'm still who I am.

and

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.​

​

Believe me I hear you! Thank God for my children!

 

[bybee]

I went to nursing home one time. I did not know what to do. I could not communicate with them. I could not understand them at all.

Love speaks all languages and accommodates silences.
Even the Alzheimer patients will have moments of surprising lucidity.

 

[Psalmist]

Believe me I hear you! Thank God for my children!

I'm so thankful that our daughter Patricia is close by. She has a very busy schedule, but still helps us when we need her to; especially with having to drive somewhere, I try to limit my driving to day time only, after and before rush hour; if wee need Patricia to drive us somewhere, she always says, "Consider it done."​

 

[chrysostom]

I wouldn't put any money into it
if
I were a used car

 

[4wings]

When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable.
There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.

-Victor Hugo

 

[meshak]

Nursing home ministry, or visiting a nursing home for is no easy task.

We (Mrs Psalmist and me) are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve, learn and grow in the nursing home ministry.
​

I think it is helpful if we visit in group. I have second aunt lives in nursing home, her children visit her once a week and I go along with them when I go to Okinawa. Children know what to say and how to communicate with her, even though she does not understand any of it.

It is best that direct relatives visit the old timers, IMO.
And their relatives should be encourage to do it.

We should not rely on someone else to do it.

blessings.

 

[QueenAtHome]

...

It is best that direct relatives visit the old timers, IMO.
And their relatives should be encourage to do it.

We should not rely on someone else to do it.

blessings.

so very true. Those that have family visit more often, tended to have a happier disposition and did better over-all.

 

[QueenAtHome]

Having worked in the nursing home for a few years, I can assure you and Mrs. Psalmist that your ministry is valuable and appreciated.
Thank you.

(and not just to the residents and their families )

 

[bybee]

so very true. Those that have family visit more often, tended to have a happier disposition and did better over-all.

I agree. But it is important to remember that most of the staff in nursing homes are kind and good to their residents.
I remember one residents daughter who had brought her mother back to the nursing home after a visit with family.
She said "My mother said to me, 'It's time for me to go home now'."
Needless to say, this pleased the daughter very much.

 

[meshak]

Having worked in the nursing home for a few years, I can assure you and Mrs. Psalmist that your ministry is valuable and appreciated.
Thank you.

(and not just to the residents and their families )

Family should not rely on others to visit their loved ones.

 

[Psalmist]

Family should not rely on others to visit their loved ones.

• Some rely on "others" without realizing it they do.
• For some families it's like a drop off.
• Some families show up only when there's a crisis, like the reading of the will.
• There are those who are very loyal to their loved one(s) in the nursing home, some will be their once a day like I was for my mom; and others maybe a couple times a day.

We are there because of our love for Jesus and our love for the resident's.

The important thing for us, Mrs Psalmist and me, is that we're faithful to call and loyal to those who we serve, those living on the edge of eternity, the infirm/blind/halt/lame/terminal etc. I couldn't think of us doing any else for the Lord.

The retirement/healthcare (nursing home) center where we serve is about 200 independent resident's and about 100 nursing home resident's.​

 

[bybee]

• Some rely on "others" without realizing it they do.
• For some families it's like a drop.
• Some families show up only when there's a crisis, like the reading of the will.
• There are those who are very loyal to their loved one(s) in the nursing home, some will be their once a day like I was for my mom; and others maybe a couple times a day.

We are there because of our love for Jesus and our love for the resident's.

The important thing for us, Mrs Psalmist and me, is that we're faithful to call and loyal to those who we serve, those living on the edge of eternity, the infirm/blind/halt/lame/terminal etc. I couldn't think of us doing any else for the Lord.

The retirement/healthcare (nursing home) center where we serve is about 200 independent resident's and about 100 nursing home resident's.​

What you do is so valuable, so loving and kind. I hardly have words to thank you!

 

[drbrumley]

Psalmist is the man.