tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post663357850958424199..comments2023-10-22T05:31:38.203-07:00Comments on God, Mom, Alzheimer's and Me: Feed My SheepLinda Bornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878172863563837367noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-54957283626529556972016-09-22T14:41:29.215-07:002016-09-22T14:41:29.215-07:00I would think those who minister to those sweet so... I would think those who minister to those sweet souls would get burnout fairly quickly. Today we were at a sing-along and one lady sobbed as the musicians played "You Are My Sunshine." It was heart-rending. I prayed hard for her and felt exhausted when I returned home. I can't imagine caring for the typical 12 hour shift. But oh how they bless my heart when I do make a connection with them...thanks, MelanieLinda Bornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07878172863563837367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-66976913180906695452016-09-22T05:42:10.779-07:002016-09-22T05:42:10.779-07:00Reading the replies here, I just wanted to add som...Reading the replies here, I just wanted to add something more. So often the elderly are neglected emotionally in a facility. It is not always the neglect of staff because they often are understaffed and overworked. Most of my 30 years of nursing involved geriatric patients and they have always been close to my heart. I balked for the longest time in getting involved in a nursing home ministry because I felt I would continue to look at it as a clinical experience. I'd be more concerned about their physical condition than their heart. Just years and years of nurse-thinking, I guess. I applaud you all who are and have cared for aged parents. I am also in that mix right now so I understand how emotionally and physically demanding it can be. The physical demands I can handle. It is the emotional ones that can get to me. I love the heart of those who have written here and I gain so much strength and insight from those of you who blog about this sort of thing.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483833008527417306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-89789817238718051642016-09-21T15:00:20.910-07:002016-09-21T15:00:20.910-07:00Yes, Carolann, it is such a blessing that we will ...Yes, Carolann, it is such a blessing that we will never ever have to do without Him! Hugs and prayers to you, thank you for this moving comment. Linda Bornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07878172863563837367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-35728644106340265552016-09-21T14:08:33.041-07:002016-09-21T14:08:33.041-07:00I have been in those Nursing homes. My Mom and my ...I have been in those Nursing homes. My Mom and my dads sister and my dad. My Mom had Alzheimer's I looked after her at home but then she had to go into this home. Was too much for all siblings. And dad his condition was he was a grumpy old man. He argued too much with care givers for him. Both of then together. It is a sad place and one has to be the light in that building if one can on some days. It is hard. It was hard for me to go into the dining room at lunch time and see those dear adults that were once young and spry. As I looked at them. Like little babies with dribbles down there face and some with bibs. Slurping soup. Have you been in at lunch time.Very touching. I at one time worked in a nursing home. Bathe them, took them in wheel chairs. They have to get up early but they do go to bed early. Now I live in a senior home with hubby and I see myself starting to have hard time to walk. I go to a apt and have tea with a lady who is really not healthy and less mobile then I. She loves to have my neighbor and I drop in. And she loves that hug and kiss. It makes her day. I appreciate your heart. I never thought I would be doing all I have told you. If one is a Christian. We some how have to do our best And ask the Lord to lead us. Even if we are failing ourselves. As the Lord is with us and he will never leave us. The alpha and the Omega. What would we do without him. One day we all will lose that energetic in us.That young vibrant youth. I am glad I have seen inside the doors to know what is a head of me one day. And pray that someone will be as kind as I have tried to be to others .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-70585315153753889952016-09-21T13:09:20.679-07:002016-09-21T13:09:20.679-07:00Well, this is just me, trying to come to grips wit...Well, this is just me, trying to come to grips with the pathos of being in a nursing home almost daily. When mom's condition worsens I doubt I will be quite so aware of these others. But I do feel their needs in a way that I think must be the Holy Spirit nudging me to express His great compassion for them. Sometimes, Barbara, when we are on "overwhelm," there isn't much emotional energy left to deal with extra heartache. Perhaps you have reached that stage. I am saying a prayer for you now.Linda Bornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07878172863563837367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-47686474063472460142016-09-21T11:58:34.192-07:002016-09-21T11:58:34.192-07:00I appreciate your heart in this. When my m-i-l was...I appreciate your heart in this. When my m-i-l was in assisted living and then a nursing home, too often I would just go to her room with barely a smile and a hello at the others, though occasionally I did have some conversations that were a blessing. I wish I had thought of it more as a mission field. I'm trying to remember that the hospice workers who come in now are here not just to minister to her but to for me to be a blessing to as well. Too often I just wish they'd get done and go so I can go back to what I was doing. :-/Barbara H.http://barbarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6575488140878213805.post-78875246801367645242016-09-21T10:21:05.006-07:002016-09-21T10:21:05.006-07:00Love this post. My church has begun a nursing home...Love this post. My church has begun a nursing home ministry and I've thought about getting involved. What a blessing you must be to those you speak with and touch.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483833008527417306noreply@blogger.com