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15 things you'll notice at your father's care home

Again, some of this is fictionalized.

  1. Despite it being called the Ritz-Carlton of care homes, it's quite beige
  2. Red dot stickers denoting DNRs on name plaques
  3. Confused holiday decorations
  4. Remnants of hopefully once-enjoyable art projects
  5. Odd TV choices ranging from violent B movies to long weight loss infomercials
  6. Childish puzzles with missing pieces
  7. Staff listening to clips of stand up on their phones loudly
  8. Bland looking, and probably tasting, food, but no salt to add to it
  9. A balcony patio with a once-lovely view, now obstructed with reparative construction of a dilapidated park building
  10. An elevator display featuring a different staff pet every month or so
  11. The number keys that you use to punch in the elevator code are clearly worn, making you wonder how easy it is to guess
  12. The staff grows to recognize you, despite everyone wearing masks (well, most of the time)
  13. Bright yellow flowers with some burned away from being in direct sunlight
  14. Your mind wanders to what you can possibly ask about his life here
  15. His friends will greet you warmly

(Prompt by me)

"Older Citizens, Retired Persons and Those Unable to Care for Themselves Physically Are Cared for in Two Community Centers..." posted by The U.S. National Archives


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