Track 3 - Home Institutionalized

       A home is a place where we are able to do whatever, whenever, however, we desire. As we age some of are daily task becomes harder.  In other words, majority of the elderly are faced with giving up some or all of there independence. Many families are changed with an decision to send there parent into assisted living or a nursing home. However, there are rules for who qualifies for assisted living (which is more independent living) or a nursing home (which it less independent living). Besides, Its determined by a persons health for what type of home will be suitable. For example, a diseases like Alzheimer’s makes an elderly person confused which more medical attention is needed.  In that case, one wouldn’t be capable of assisted living because the need of a full time care like a nursing home would help with the problem. Just like in the article, “Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes” Doreen Sparks was faced with a dilemma, when she was told that her mother’s “medical needs exceeds the level of care we can provide as an assisted living community.”   Sparks was let down by the faculty to take care of her mother. Her mother was stripped of her independence, and most importantly it shows that assisted living does not want to deal with anyone with a serious illness of any kind.  That explains why there aren’t a lot of nursing or care personals present in assisted living.  In result, the care is poor and there’s frustration of family members.
        Its clearly known that one who moves into a faculty where people other then family are caring for them is hard to understand.  The feeling of being alone, and the thought of being neglected by family members are high.  Yes, visits often appear, but during the holidays and birthdays; even that isn’t enough. For instance, the article “Quality of life in Assisted Living Facilities” is a research where residences are interviewed.  It explains the problem going on with residents.  Beside, the independence that goes missing when being admitted to a facility, but social relationship is cut short.  Even though, half of the residents that where interviewed had some sort of daily visits or daily phone conversations, many residents aren’t satisfied with the effort of family members commutation.  Certainly, its hard on residents who where never alone in life, who always had someone there to talk to, and share feelings with.  They felt as they got old and couldn’t do much, is when everyone stop caring. Explains why the bond between employees and residents are close and tight because they are the only people available when they need them. On the other hand, It does heal some of the pain but nothing can replace family.  In the same way, personal belongings are important because it makes one feel comfortable.  Residents cover boring colorless rooms with pictures and items that jogs a happy- young memory of there past.  Besides, if the homes they move into happen to be luxury, personal belongings will still take over because another persons home is not necessary what an other person would call home.  Above all, home is where safety is found, and bringing personal belongings from a past home into a new home brings that safety along.
          Are daily routines we do at home, can be something we take for granted, but when those normal routines you use to do for yourself is taken over by someone else contributes to the loss of a sense of self.  “Personal Routine” by David Greenberger explains how personal routines are not personal anymore in a nursing home. The behaviors of an resident in a nursing home changes when they receive care for mostly all of there routines.  For example, my mother works for a nursing home as a certified nurse assist, and one of her task is to give the resident a bath.  Not all residents can complete the task but the ones that need it tend to feel confused.  She explains to me that, In there minds they feel as there being controlled. Some would act out by refusing or biting her, its because they don’t understand the reason why someone is doing this for them.  Its frustrating when you are not able to do the simple task in life.  Usually, everyone has a routine that is essential to create a sense of structure in there day. For instance, working out four times a week relieves stress for me. When I’m stressed out, I feel as if I’m not in control of my life. Therefore, working out essential for me and its something I need to do alone.  On the contrary, to restore residents routines in assisted living and nursing homes isn’t a easy wish to grant.  When being admitted to an institutional setting, your entering into a place where people are there to help you.  Its there job to help, but for the most part assisted living is way better on giving residents the ability to be independent.  In a nursing home the environment is like the same as a hospital because your limited to a lot of things, and usually having an illness.  Even though, they are actives set up for residents to enjoy, they are segregated to there own rooms and not given the option to do things they want.  Nursing homes can give residents back a part of sense to self by letting them complete there personal routine. Everything else sad to say needs to be controlled by someone else because the residents need help.  Furthermore, nursing staffing can be short which is hard to stratify’s a residents needs.  Being a nurse is hard work and it takes dedication.  Hard work isn’t so much awarded to the ones who deserve it.  Truly, the reason why nurses turn to hospital then nursing homes is because hospitals pay more.
      Class and Culture reflect people’s homes.  How we are raised is how we are supposed to act.  Some cultures wouldn’t accept there parents or grandparents to live in any type of home institutionalizing under the care of someone other than family.  Specially because they feel, if there parents raised them, why cant I take care of them when they need me? In particular, The number of elderly Asian, African American, and Mexican are low in assisted homes and nursing home because in there cultural background the task of taking care of there parents is important. Moving into a initialized home cost money.  Usually the child of the resident pay for the stay but if the child cant afford it the resident is forced to leave.
     In conclusion, the meaning of home, is a place you call your own, a place you can be yourself and enjoy yourself even an apartment can be considered a home.  Its a place that’s always going to be there, to let you unwind, and to relax.  An institutionalized home isn’t anyone ones home until some one occupies the spot.  Even though it wouldn’t give you the sense of independence but it will be there for you when you cant be in your old home.