About Nursing Homes

I suffered a stroke on October 16, 2003, leaving me quadriplegic and in a coma for two-and-a-half weeks. I spent time in three different nursing homes and this booklet is about my personal observations of the residents, the staff and my mother, who is also a resident in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The observations are of an entire community of real people that had various maladies or were just too old to take care of themselves before. I make references to the various professional diagnoses for the people I met. Some have since passed away, which has been a gut-wrenching experience for me at times while other times the joy and laughter is comforting. Please do not be afraid of a nursing home. Please visit your friends and family that are residents. You will become a richer person for the experience. I, fortunately, with God’s help recovered and was released. You will see what happens and there is nothing to fear. Your spirituality and coming to grips with your own mortality will be enhanced. I still carry my funeral arrangements card in my wallet. God is not finished with me yet.Cortson, Michael is the author of 'About Nursing Homes', published 2004 under ISBN 9781413744231 and ISBN 1413744230.