I wrote this years ago when my mother in law was in an assisted living home and I noticed how many people had no visitors at all…
Sad Eyes
Wheelchairs roll
Down long lonely halls
Hearts are broken
Of the ones forgotten
Who sit
Staring at the walls
Voices of confusion
Echo in the night
Reaching for a gentle hand
Leading to the light
Minutes seem like hours
Hours like days
Vigilant at the windows
For loved ones who I pray
Would visit for awhile
Put a smile upon a face
For sometime in the future
You
May take my place
It wouldn’t be so scary
This burden that I carry
If around me I could feel
Endless love to help me heal
This smothered, dying heart
Tearing me apart
Sad eyes
Peering through
Hoping for a sign … Or sound
Of freedom from this burden
I am bound
I am bound
Theresa Loder
Worked went to college and saw my Mamma 2 times a day every day no matter how tired.
So sad but so true. Shame on families that can’t find that little bit of time to visit. And I don’t want to hear how busy you are.
Please remember that many residents of long term care are there because there is just no one left in their family. Most people don’t get placed in nursing homes because they have lots of resources including caregivers or money to hire someone. Just like people have posted sometimes there is another sick or disabled person and only one caregiver. It is wonderful if churches organize visitors with the facility. Group activities are nice but often meaningless if there is no one on one time with the residents. What residents need is the human touch.
Beautiful
I go daily to see my husband. It doesn’t cost anything to say “Hello” or smile to the others. I try to be upbeat and kind, even helpful. They all are so grateful for any attention, especially when it comes from the heart. So to others who visit someone in a healthcare center, remember, that can be you in the future and try to at least give those dear souls a smile and hello.
It may be partly the facilities fault, be sure they have activities for all the residents. I used to teach a Bible study at a facility and was asked not to return.
Sadly it is not just folks in assistant living or nursing homes who are longing for visitors. So many shut-ins would welcome a visit from family or friends yet they are forced to live in isolation.
I see it when I visit with my Dad. It is hard for me to fit in in at time with being a 24/7 caregiver for my husband, but I do not miss and I do many other things for him. I am always sad at how few visits most get. I guess when you live it yourself, you understand it and when you understand it, you just do not ignore them.