The disaster continued

In all fairness there was a diverse population of people at this retirement home. Some were completely ambulatory walking around visiting other rooms. some were in wheelchairs who could roll themselves around. Others were in wheelchairs who had to be pushed. A few were in wheelchairs staring vacantly off into space waiting to die.

There was one lady that was particularly joyful and gregarious. She seemed happy with life and happy with the whole situation even though she was wheelchair ridden. She always said hi with a big smile when I came in and frankly she seemed like one of those people that was going to be in charge no matter where she was. She was the kind you could talk your ear off, but she appeared to be a good listener too. She asked questions and was happy to hear what you had to say. I'm sure her call Button worked. And her oxygen machine was the quietest one in town. She simply wouldn't have it any other way.

But most people were not in that boat. The impression I got was they only ask for help when they are really desperate. Maybe that's not fair I wasn't there day after day. But I do know how my wife was treated. She was largely ignored unless I went in there and made an effort to get things changed.