Pleasant Days

Putting a loved one in a nursing home is a very difficult decision—yet sometimes it’s the only solution when extra
care or rehabilitation is required. What can we as caregivers do to help the transition, encouraging our patient and finding greater peace for ourselves?

Some spend their time in the nursing home to continue their companionship. But sitting at a loved one’s bedside can be exhausting in itself. When helping our loved ones, we need to take care for our own well-being.

One man, whose comatose wife was placed in a nursing home, visited her daily. To pass his lonely time, the man made other residents small bouquets from leftover flower arrangements donated by a funeral home. He helped the staff by delivering other residents’ mail and spent part of his day chatting with lonely people. He even delighted the staff with treats from a nearby bakery and fruit market. After the man’s wife died, he continued his routine of service at the nursing home—and found great joy in spite of his loss.

When we make the best of our situation, we are encouraged, too. In serving other people, to whatever extent we can, we revitalize ourselves.