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Thanks for the ping, I was unaware of this story. This is why I will keep all loved ones out of nursing homes if at all possible. My Mom died at home under my Dad's loving care, my MIL is living at home with my FIL with advanced alzheimers, and I will do whatever I have to to make sure that no one I love is put into the care of strangers. I realize that sometimes there are no other options, however, if these places were reserved for only those cases in which there truely was no family member to care for them, or there were complications that made it impossible to take care of them at home, this trend of actively killing the helpless among us would come to a screeching halt.
And yes, I understand exactly how difficult it is to take care of someone at home. But we do owe our parents and other loved ones this.
susie

I realize that sometimes there are no other options, however, if these places were reserved for only those cases in which there truely was no family member to care for them, or there were complications that made it impossible to take care of them at home, this trend of actively killing the helpless among us would come to a screeching halt. And yes, I understand exactly how difficult it is to take care of someone at home. But we do owe our parents and other loved ones this. I've recently become aware of hospice services through an RN friend of mine who now works for one. Apparently, most services are free (i.e. tax-supported) if someone qualifies, and it covers some care and most medications. This can be a great help to those of us who want to keep aging parents/grandparents at home - qualified nursing staff to come to our home, help, aid, etc. Also, I found out that hospice can provide several days of hospital/nursing home care for your loved one so you can have a break, get some rest, be renewed for further care. Worth checking into when we need it!

I've witnessed patients pulling their tubes apart a zillion times.....especially the oxygen....who knows if all of them do it on purpose so they can die quietly but SOME DO......

in reguards to your NH comments....of course, strangers are not going to have the love that YOU have.....

but give NH employees a break, will Ya?...they don't have fancy unions or civil service contracts to protect them and give them fat pensions....its almost sinful what people expect "strangers" to do for the pittance they receive and absolutley little or no security in a job, let alone a future.....

my mother took care of her mother who was dying of cancer....my mom had 6 kids and my dad made poor money......but I have preserved my grandmothers prescence in my mind til this day .....so I know its doable to take in your beloved ....

We keep our loved ones at home too although sometimes, a nursing home is required and it's a shame that not all nursing homes can be trusted.

The more secular a society we become, the more shenanigans are going to be pulled on innocent people.