My dad passed away in 1970, in an ambulance headed to the hospital.

[LuckyCharms]

F-I-L passed in 2009, on the same month and day that my father passed. He was in a nursing home, and then ultimately in hospice.

M-I-L passed in 2011, in the hospital.

Mother passed in 2012, in a nursing home.

I weep for each of them frequently, because I miss them.

But one thing that I am thankful for is that they are not around to experience this pandemic.

I was a caretaker for my mom while she was in the nursing home. I visited her several times a week, handled her affairs, helped her with her grooming, brought her outside food that she enjoyed, and provided her with comfort. We played checkers in the community room, and on nice days, I wheeled her around the property in her wheelchair.

For all of you that have parents or other loved ones in nursing homes, and you are unable to visit them properly during this pandemic...I send you my love and compassion. I know how I would feel if I could not visit my mom, so I have a pretty good idea of how you must be feeling. Caretakers and others who have loved ones in nursing homes are probably having a tough time right now. Let's recognize their goodness, and recognize their pain. Let's also spare a thought for the people inside these institutions who are unable to see and TOUCH the people who love them.

[mnmoderatedem]

1. I have the same thoughts Lucky

All in my family have now passed on, my mother and aunt most recently. They all would have of course been in the most vulnerable age range. My mother was pretty much a shut in who died at age 81. I shudder to think how she would have handled the pandemic, even as a shut in who would be relatively safe. She tended to let her fears get the best of her.

[JenniferJuniper]

2. My father, who has dementia, had a pacemaker put in today

He's been in the hospital for a month, and I haven't been able to see him. I figure at least he doesn't really remember when he last saw me, but still, it's very sad.

[RockCreek]

3. My grandmother died 7 years ago on a nursing home

And every time I read about COVID and nursinh homes I am glad she is not alive to experience this.
Then again, I have thought that since Trump was "elected" on her birthday. November 9. She would have been 100 years old on that day.

[Brainfodder]

4. I hear that, Stepfather died 2 years ago, he never would have made it past C-19.

Meanwhile, dad is 82 and trapped in isolation in.... FLORIDA.

He snuck out for golf at least 1 time.



Worse, called him yesterday, and 2 patients in the 24/7 care wing of the senior community (200+ folks) got C-19 from workers, so it has started.

[malaise]

5. What a great post - with sound advice

Get thee to the greatest page

[moonscape]

6. Understand. I cared for my mom who

had alzheimer's, first in my home then renting a small house on her side of the country 6 months of the year so I could be with her, care for her there in assisted living. I can not imagine the pain of not being there for her, and her confusion why I wasn't. Have felt the same gratitude.

Also, my parents escaped Eastern Europe the end of WWII and came to the States. I've been equally grateful they did not have to live to see what happened to the country they fought so hard to get to and for which they were proud to call themselves citizens.