Covid - 19 Broken Hearts
How the virus affects nursing home residents.56 total reviews
Comment from estory
This is a poignant picture of the elderly in these nursing homes, suffering alone. confused. Abandoned. It really is the true tragedy of this epidemic. In many ways I think it would make a better story. I think you could write a great short story on this theme and in the dialogue and interaction between characters bring this pain and suffering to even greater life. estory
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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This is a poignant picture of the elderly in these nursing homes, suffering alone. confused. Abandoned. It really is the true tragedy of this epidemic. In many ways I think it would make a better story. I think you could write a great short story on this theme and in the dialogue and interaction between characters bring this pain and suffering to even greater life. estory
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Good idea - the conversations are unbelievable. They are frustrating and heartbreaking. 90 year old people are asking us to call their parents and trying to pack suitcases. Thank you for the kind and intelligent review.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written heartfelt poem. The older people cannot understand the madness if solitude. The things I hear about this invisible threat that may not be as serious as presented to us make me crazy made when I see the suffering if the young children who are also kept away from us, probably with no value reason.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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A very well-written heartfelt poem. The older people cannot understand the madness if solitude. The things I hear about this invisible threat that may not be as serious as presented to us make me crazy made when I see the suffering if the young children who are also kept away from us, probably with no value reason.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Thank you so much, and I am in complete agreement with your comments about the threat not being serious! I personally think it?s worse than we are being told. I just work hard to reassure, then I pray a lot. Stay safe.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
The worst place to be just now is a nursing home. You cannot control the traffic of people coming and going and the isolation would be hard for many residents and probably worse than the virus itself, this is a heartfelt write Therese, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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The worst place to be just now is a nursing home. You cannot control the traffic of people coming and going and the isolation would be hard for many residents and probably worse than the virus itself, this is a heartfelt write Therese, love Dolly x
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Thank you Dolly! It is frightening. These people are terrified, not of the virus, but of the loss of family due to no visitors being allowed in the building. Stay healthy.
Comment from smileycloud
the sadness is deep and heartbreaking in your poem
I am so aware of the feelings and misinterpretation...I worked many years in aged care and just the simple absence of cuddling them is heartwrenching
I am a little perplexed....if we can shower and dress and feed and medicate why the closeness of a quick cuddle is that much different
there is one plus that in this age of technology aged care facilities might be able to set up computers screens for their families to talk to them on a screen with a visual image and the computer could be wheeled in at least a couple of days when family is instructed to call....
there would not be time for normal staff to do this...too busy....but here in Aus. they are giving jobs to people who have lost their jobs due to closures..if they are tech savvy and have had police check pushed forward
prayers and love go out to you your fellow carers and your residents
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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the sadness is deep and heartbreaking in your poem
I am so aware of the feelings and misinterpretation...I worked many years in aged care and just the simple absence of cuddling them is heartwrenching
I am a little perplexed....if we can shower and dress and feed and medicate why the closeness of a quick cuddle is that much different
there is one plus that in this age of technology aged care facilities might be able to set up computers screens for their families to talk to them on a screen with a visual image and the computer could be wheeled in at least a couple of days when family is instructed to call....
there would not be time for normal staff to do this...too busy....but here in Aus. they are giving jobs to people who have lost their jobs due to closures..if they are tech savvy and have had police check pushed forward
prayers and love go out to you your fellow carers and your residents
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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You are so right. We have quite a few who Facetime, and it reassures the resident that his/her family is still there. The only problem is they cry for hours afterwards and by the next day, they forget about the day before, as usual. I feel we are in a no-win situation. We just keep reassuring and distracting, and yes, we still supply the forbidden cuddle, just no kissing. Human touch is imperative, in my opinion.
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God's blessings to you for your compassion and work
also sending some very well deserved cuddles across the miles
You stay safe yourself too
:)
Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.
This poem is worthy of six stars (mine are gone). The nursing home residents need their families. Now they are alone. Call their relatives and let them talk for a bit. Encourage all relatives to pick up the phone.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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This poem is worthy of six stars (mine are gone). The nursing home residents need their families. Now they are alone. Call their relatives and let them talk for a bit. Encourage all relatives to pick up the phone.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Yes, we do lots of that, which really helps loving families who cannot see their loved ones. Please read my review prior to yours and you can see the only problem with this. Thank you so much for the lovely review!
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This such a terrible situation.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I agree with everything you mentioned. I haven't seen my friends for almost six weeks. One in particular I can't even reach by phone. I imagine they are bored as well as scared. Your poem says it all. Your lines flow well with imagery creating words and a sad, true message. Thanks for sharing and caring. Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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I agree with everything you mentioned. I haven't seen my friends for almost six weeks. One in particular I can't even reach by phone. I imagine they are bored as well as scared. Your poem says it all. Your lines flow well with imagery creating words and a sad, true message. Thanks for sharing and caring. Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Thank you, Jan, for you lovely review. I hope you reach your friend soon!
Comment from playinaround
What a nightmare - this pandemic. At risk and elderly are shaking in their boots. but if not for kind and empathic frontline nurses I, for one, would be even more terrified. Thank you!
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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What a nightmare - this pandemic. At risk and elderly are shaking in their boots. but if not for kind and empathic frontline nurses I, for one, would be even more terrified. Thank you!
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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I love the elderly. The majority of ours have enough dementia that they are not scared of this unseen thing, but of losing their families. They don?t understand why they cannot see them. It is heartbreaking.
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
This is a heartbreaking poem, beautiful in its truth that should be told far and wide, but also tragic in the reality of what you're sharing. This can't be allowed to continue! Each nursing home resident should be allowed two, maybe three visitors who can alternate days, but at least one! Visits can be short, supervised and with protective gear, but it would be better than nothing. I know someone in a nursing home/rehab, and another who is between such facilities and a hospital, and their loved ones tell me of these conditions. I have one friend who I called, after a mutual friend died of Covid-19, except I couldn't tell her. Her son said that he didn't want to tell her over the phone, but he can't visit. So she kept asking me about our friend who died! She must be feeling so forgotten and abandoned by her.
Something really has to be done about this. It's cruel. Thank you for bringing it even more closely to my attention.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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This is a heartbreaking poem, beautiful in its truth that should be told far and wide, but also tragic in the reality of what you're sharing. This can't be allowed to continue! Each nursing home resident should be allowed two, maybe three visitors who can alternate days, but at least one! Visits can be short, supervised and with protective gear, but it would be better than nothing. I know someone in a nursing home/rehab, and another who is between such facilities and a hospital, and their loved ones tell me of these conditions. I have one friend who I called, after a mutual friend died of Covid-19, except I couldn't tell her. Her son said that he didn't want to tell her over the phone, but he can't visit. So she kept asking me about our friend who died! She must be feeling so forgotten and abandoned by her.
Something really has to be done about this. It's cruel. Thank you for bringing it even more closely to my attention.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Thank you so much for adding your own story. We simply cannot have visitors, as they can easily be carriers. I go to the nursing home and back, and otherwise self-quarantine. The employees are a risk going in and out, but someone has to take care of the elderly. So we just pray we don?t become carriers and bring it in. Thanks for your kind and interesting review. And thanks for the six stars!
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You're very welcome, Therese. Thanks for your informed and compassionate reply. I just wish that more could be done to ease the loneliness and isolation of these poor souls. Thank you for doing such a tough job with love, in these difficult times. - Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Frank Jauregui
Blessings and thank you for sharing this heartfelt and informative poem. I have a 93-year-old Father-in-law in a nursing home, and the last time his daughter was able to see him was thorough a window. I can only imagine what he's going through. Even at 93 he was very active and enjoyed being visited often and getting taken for outings. I pray he and others like him will be able to endure and that these visiting restrictions will be lifted.
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Blessings and thank you for sharing this heartfelt and informative poem. I have a 93-year-old Father-in-law in a nursing home, and the last time his daughter was able to see him was thorough a window. I can only imagine what he's going through. Even at 93 he was very active and enjoyed being visited often and getting taken for outings. I pray he and others like him will be able to endure and that these visiting restrictions will be lifted.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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Me too! It has been said across multiple states that nursing homes will be the last to open, as they are the most vulnerable of the population. I really meant the last two lines of this poem. Thank you for the lovely review.
Comment from Sally Law
I appreciate what you do so much, Therese! Thank you!! Not everyone has the grace or capacity for this. A nursing home oftentimes is a drop off for the precious souls, unfortunately.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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I appreciate what you do so much, Therese! Thank you!! Not everyone has the grace or capacity for this. A nursing home oftentimes is a drop off for the precious souls, unfortunately.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
Comment Written 27-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2020
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I love them all, even the mean ones! They are all precious. We are trying so hard to distract and reassure, but they are not afraid of a virus they don?t understand, they are afraid of never seeing their loved ones again. Thank you for your lovely review,
Terry
