Nothing for preserving the body like having no heart. - John Petit-Senn
Two teenaged girls, aged 18 and 19, who worked at a Minnesota nursing home, have been charged with abuse. They are accused of taunting, spitting on and groping residents who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. The 18 year old's father said that not all of the charges are what they appear; his daughter was only performing the duties of her job.
Oh, REALLY? One day, God willing, they'll grow old. Hopefully, they will not wind up depending on others for care ...
... could be you, lying down on pee and
shit coated rubber sheets, tied down to
the bed in shame, gown hitched up over
what remains of your dignity. Could be
you, limbs twisted into impossible knots,
bedsores exposing muscle and bone,
screaming out to be ignored. Could be
you, the one the apathetic staff laughs
at, pointing derisive fingers as they fondle
parts meant to be private, because they
aren't where you are: just remember:
one day, you'll be old. God help YOU.
(c) 2008, Karla Dorman (12/4)
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Reviews of "Could Be You ..., Or: Hell Getting Old"
This is sickening, my Nonna was in a care home for the last couple months of her life, though she did not go through this, it happens far to often
In Christs Love
Michelle~
the rule of the plastic people of this era is enough to disillusion even those with saintly intentions -- we know not the trauma those defenseless folk, abed not of their own choosing endure -- in the end, justice will be served -- peace and love to you my dear friend, Karla -- JMW
I worked on an Alzheimer unit as a housekeeper. This one hits hard, Karla. Makes me want to grab the offender and pop her one! Love the passionate ending on this poem. It should haunt the guilty.
Sheila
I love Karen's review of this poem. What a wonderful answer to the problems we face in our health care system.
The terrible stories I hear about nursing/assisted living homes makes me hope and pray that neither my parents or in-laws or myself or husband ever needs one... I know that my grandma never wanted to go to one... Thankfully, as Georg states, hers was filled with compassionate people who did their best to help her. (hee, hee... although my grandma could give them what for! hee, hee... some of the stories just make me laugh...) But the point is that each person is a unique individual and they each have worth...and each should be treated with love and respect and true worth.
Then again, dear Karla are hundred of thousand of youths that performs chores for the elderly and never are mentioned.
This two girls aren't a representative number, just and odd example, and an opportunity for the media for beat the big drums of sensationalism, when there would had been better if they publish about the unselfish dedication of other youth.
We all know that a plane that lands uneventful is no news, but why we only heard of the one that crash?
That sad truth is that there are so many good and decent caregivers in the nursing and seniours homes but it only takes a few bad ones to give the industry a bad name. We cannot lay all the blame on the employees either...if the children instead of signing these poor seniours into places then walking away to wait to hear when they can close the estate would spend a lot more time visiting...the numbers of abuse would drop considerably.
The state of care for our elderly and infirm is terrible. This type of degradation is common in society's where children are not properly disciplined or taught to respect their parents. If they did, they would never treat another person's parents in such a despicable manner.
Already I am old, though not as old as say Pee-wee or Georg...I work with seniors and always try to treat them as I want to be treated, though sometimes its hard...I cannot imagine treating them like these teens did their charges though...Ed
You are really so good with words, and this write has expressed such horror in a few brief lines. My Mom's paralyzed and in a nursing home, and I can't imagine the pain I'd feel if she were treated like this. "A man reaps what he sows" and your words that these two will also grow old - and experience this - is not far from happening.
Wow. I hadn't heard about this Karla. A strong write telling it just like is. No, I agree, there is no excuse at all for this kind of behavior. This kind of stuff is when I wish punishment for them could be "an eye for an eye" or "a tooth for a tooth."
Gutwrenching horror detailed in shattering lines. Think it ought to be required that anybody working in the medical field or setting should be required to spend two weeks as a in-patient; maybe that would teach them what it is like to be on the other side of the charts. Tragic.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on December 4, 2008
Take 'em into the woods . . . Tie them naked between trees . . . Horsewhip the two bitches . . .
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PI novel set in Manhattan during the 1980s when art galleries and model agencies were the two most glamorous businesses in the world. Dangerously well written.
Read Chapter 1 here: https://www.lit4u.com/art-and-beauty-chapter-1/
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In Christs Love
Michelle~
Sheila
The terrible stories I hear about nursing/assisted living homes makes me hope and pray that neither my parents or in-laws or myself or husband ever needs one... I know that my grandma never wanted to go to one... Thankfully, as Georg states, hers was filled with compassionate people who did their best to help her. (hee, hee... although my grandma could give them what for! hee, hee... some of the stories just make me laugh...) But the point is that each person is a unique individual and they each have worth...and each should be treated with love and respect and true worth.
Cryssa
BAM!! One powerfully expressed poem . . . at your creative best!!
Hugs,
Lance
one day, you'll be old.
Sad, but true, and you remind us very well.
This two girls aren't a representative number, just and odd example, and an opportunity for the media for beat the big drums of sensationalism, when there would had been better if they publish about the unselfish dedication of other youth.
We all know that a plane that lands uneventful is no news, but why we only heard of the one that crash?
Georg
fee
Your poem is bold and brave. Well done, Karla,
~ Sara
You are really so good with words, and this write has expressed such horror in a few brief lines. My Mom's paralyzed and in a nursing home, and I can't imagine the pain I'd feel if she were treated like this. "A man reaps what he sows" and your words that these two will also grow old - and experience this - is not far from happening.
There's no holding back here in this highly charged, honest poem, its directness going straight to the heart. Wonderful!
John
Dave.
Gutwrenching horror detailed in shattering lines. Think it ought to be required that anybody working in the medical field or setting should be required to spend two weeks as a in-patient; maybe that would teach them what it is like to be on the other side of the charts. Tragic.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <