The following poem is from a collection of 41 written by me to try describing Huntington’s Disease (HD).

There are many good hospitals and nursing homes, and there are many bad hospitals and nursing homes. I shall leave it at that.

The Help

 

She sits in chair, her sloping frame,

The nurse runs by, no sound she hears.

She cannot speak the nurse’s name,

The uniform, it disappears.

 

Her eyes look round for someone who,

May stop a while and notice how,

Her arm is twisted, cannot move,

Her eyes are filling, crying now.

 

Another patient sees her face,

And grabs the cleaner; holds her tight.

She shouts that “Irene needs a hand”;

She gets shrugged off with “She’s alright.”

 

And so it goes for half an hour,

Til finally her family near.

And in a flash, staff rally round,

“Now Irene… Let us help you dear”.

 

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Comments (6)
  • BradONeill on Nov 3, 2009

    I just have to say your cynical view is unfortunately more true than it should be. I have spent some time at facilities on both ends of the spectrum with aging grandparents. And it really is a shame how some people spend their waning years. It is our responsibility as family to make sure we do not leave our loved ones in a facility where they will not be cared properly for one good way to know how good a facility is is to watch how they are treating other patients while you are there with your loved one. If they are being neglected you can bet as soon as you are gone your special someone is being neglected also.

  • T Dainton on Nov 3, 2009

    Thank you Brad.

    When writing that poem I was all too sadly aware it could have been written for any illness or even just those in Homes etc due to simple old age.

    I’m sure a lot, if not all those who work in hospitals and homes start off with the intention of being good carers. The strains on resources and poor management unfortunately must have an impact and it’s our loved ones who will innevitably be affected.

    I will try to keep my hubby at home with me, receiving one-one care for as long as possible but who knows what the future holds for any of us.

  • Catrina Markus on Nov 3, 2009

    I loved it.

  • T Dainton on Nov 3, 2009

    Thank you Catrina!

  • oldster on Nov 3, 2009

    So sad Tracey — I have experience of elderly and infirmed relatives in care. Mostly there are caring helpers–but there must be others too.

  • T Dainton on Nov 3, 2009

    Thank you Oldster.

    I\’m pleased your experiences of care seem to be good ones. I guess I\’m concerened we here more tales about bad things happening than good things and patients can\’t always speak for themselves so I tend to err on the side of caution.

    Trish btw :-)

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