Well, that's a loaded statement if I ever read one. So many things. (Read my previous post to learn some of my wildest dreams.)
After listing all of my superfluous ideas, my thoughts became serious. If money really wasn't a problem, what would I do? I would use it to make a difference in the lives of others. I would give back to the long-term care community.
I would allow all nursing home residents to have private rooms/bathrooms.
I'd make sure that residents had the best food. A weekly Happy Hour with cocktails and mocktails Good snacks would appeal to the young and old alike. (Trust me, it would not be your grandma's Happy Hour. If I was funding it, it would rock every week.)
Long-term care communities should have some aspects of normalcy Before moving into a nursing home some residents might have enjoyed having a cocktail after a long day, or a social drink with friends I am in no way, shape, or form advocating allowing the residents to drink to access Living in long-term care can be stressful. A weekly happy hour allows the residents to relax, and socialize with one another.
I know what it is like to feel alone and miss your family. All residents of nursing homes should have the best care. All residents deserve the best accommodations, Medicaid or not.
After listing all of my superfluous ideas, my thoughts became serious. If money really wasn't a problem, what would I do? I would use it to make a difference in the lives of others. I would give back to the long-term care community.
It is a dream of mine to start a non-profit. Think Make-A-Wish for Adults. Health care professionals, family, friends, social workers. Anyone could nominate a person to be considered as a candidate for their wish to be granted. I have written a mission statement for my non-profit. The name of my organization is We Still Have Dreams. I hope my dreams become a reality in the future.
My non-profit would come up with a way to make it happen. If the wish recipient was too ill to travel, their wish would be brought to them. We might transform a resident's room into a Parisian cafe. French pastries, art, and music.
My organization would be staffed with loving, caring people. Paid and volunteer staff who are committed to making the lives of those they serve better and happier. For my non-profit to be successful, my staff would have to be willing to go that extra mile to make their wishes a reality.
Adults in nursing homes still have dreams, hopes, and wishes. They don't admit to them because in their mind what they wish for is impossible.
A non-profit organization like the one I have described would be fantastic Think of the joy something like this could give a resident.
I have everything I need. Life should be about making a difference in the lives of others.
The long-term care community holds a special place in my heart. I learned that the hard way. If money was not a factor I'd give back.
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