Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home: Vanderbilt University Press
Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home: Vanderbilt University Press
Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home: Vanderbilt University Press
Ebook207 pages2 hours

Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home: Vanderbilt University Press

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

Sandra Gaffney entered her first nursing home for long-term care at the unusually young age of fifty. Fourteen years earlier she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Over the next sixteen years, Gaffney lived in nursing homes in Florida, Virginia, and Minnesota, as the ways she could be close to family changed.


She describes her situation in these words: "As a nursing home resident, I require total or maximum care. I have limited use of my hands and arms. With special splints, I am able to turn the pages of my books, use the telephone and TV/VCR/FM radio remote control. When my cup is positioned properly, I can drink independently. I am able to walk with a platform walker and the help of two nursing assistants. My walking is not functional; it is only for exercise. After I moved into my third nursing home, I learned to operate a power wheelchair by using an adaptive switch between my knees. ... All other areas of physical care have to be done for me. My speech is impaired. If people listen carefully, they can understand what I am saying. ... I am able to eat regular food and breathe on my own."


Gaffney became an acute observer and strategist about how to live in a nursing home. Her first-person account, dictated to family members and assistants, covers making the decision to enter a nursing home, choosing the right one, and understanding its culture. She talks about how to furnish your room and about all the issues that arise in a resident's typical day. She has much to say about communication with staff and family about "how to help others help me." Gaffney's daughters, Amy and Bridget, and her friend Ellen Potter provide additional perspectives on the caregiving experience.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 15, 2012
ISBN9780826518668
Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home: Vanderbilt University Press
Author

Sandra J. Gaffney

Sandra J. Gaffney worked for thirteen years as a college counselor before being diagnosed with ALS at age thirty-six. She died on February 22, 2010.

Read more from Sandra J. Gaffney

Related to Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home

Related ebooks

Medical For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    Making Myself at Home in a Nursing Home - Sandra J. Gaffney

    !Oabook_preview_excerpt.html[ےFv͎`XЄ3ժJz.EjERKvi˹sӿ}6Oc__To?oߔۧy>r}[5>Vm~ C3iUaS1VPtUOU8ƦolS5cncuJXƪx0Sa\5sSul/U^B;ptNŢ3v|x]:߸Gⱍٶ caC䚼!s&NUy}p|5p7\4U8SqlPckJK4]Ӯ-7j>ꄻti.Vv:>$P9<Ӎ;f'"a S'ϒks.=$xitbwp޵1s[g~[Gvv;mFXKLKãP(_?<.1f^Q &CRm6:8']ef)`8|&Zз=5?r+"5>B$7`!M̊@;ʚ0: KÁY/.Ӝg$4-Nd8!B"i]3*'CkZ^'~uj桁Kq>d,;q^GΛx#VƦu"a e.ala4e;(^xwsOyj%¾ܣVrk(ã `:P9f%k.I'F6mS#}{s=F2PgGˆ٬B4b(U `X?8^: n$%%,![gwvp. x &IZ;{+ʼCvE^Ht s b-4aqO3N^; ol;ܽL͢xbQwl=l!HL{sxvçtP|BHG9gdXDG,7TOπ8QB8/N.N46aÈa*YH뇇RkeHϋ )0F$jk4[j{ F?0M2g#ca0F )4|r9lWHᅥK2d Niq7i3t1y"ن!bqI f$k|\7^' SHE<&3g:waIV (pg"PCv^A|ǝMBiw? :@].a>(PX}\#?Rv8-YTDdMҦ9/qQhNv5.E)w=(@2oƌ{cpa~K?קR5ˉ9>@3'b3 1"X}HP~a(& * ʣ+A ]0p#cqн9p]Xq}jn`*),rkWÈwgߢ*cVe &CMyų^ 8Y{2KY(̠蔝7y @Cp\J9\>ko~oAv'R%wn$}*\T0hqo ;Eϒ,|@6ʞq{Ho m6?L ž5bg4T8 4E7(I(́1EgmW'zyeO`w\aVrtSp*A7[y&fI&%iG|1%~jO7ZHR!b?$&սV +y`1_~})+0|kͻugt 7F8POAw*ʋ\jJ y2Hc{|)N'+}Wgc {O5+ms@O-BƑ^iF,=_h -!@Skf(L-H65/u5Wt-'H]:bT>]wpkՐ2 WB 2&RvUV-Y@"^l52&s[ ~.A*MBS,W5$sq4pt9`̅VE9Ox`)Z8(NOGlWJ]yJ L s7LQrk%ۂ#ZoxEY/_.t3;qŜ~8ZU;R';/2b mCs֜`[Q4rMōuYPay')Osd2ҢDEa,ol?[R(cҁ3$,- #-L̶؉Y%יCO!U8XΚ's&ܬIFRj{҈rTDw+ /vr-$jOluVLڛFu/쥠;h%,'or)J)Mbd}#u=+> i38GG_<EqRkp/GeBd 0/}ٮUʵViu+gjE|8$,83^^ yǎG==7g?y5* r X8Z*l/ǕL0\CH[MPv!UaA7-PdD\w-cCX{XB{;#68< PerKND)YI4]I*6`N_j43m[40"a#ҹb/qmly4cP2,ӓ%vppF~c99"w pH$o3Vzzw-ۆ+ ! i#pJ:/Rs!FYPX1p[QHJwNULvC?r<0Yg39ҭ*݊zGS?wWիUiLa.]' =fk+i%+bc, aJLcޚľ7u{xlⴴE26L!is=\jʈX,2"<{hHj]{+FMZˆW6d׺c}nwv6`M˒/< eaa?,^NT)W_.GtX+|밖8d/Oz~44qĭw:<SK\=4 hxl]Eq-^WRf74V:w/#C4 ZݮѦGL}C54#A;FKyf= U<,I9#vLe jqy,̱SƋ'd6IiZ"4H'sK5>^9iq/V+/,Y1dn_+:Ғ)PQ|KniʊWh~/L8ǸTʌaՙ@h.\8ZX,ņ;y '&úU>wcKLX5&YА:JsR=
    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1