On Channel 7 last night was a repeat program of City Homicide - an Australian program. It was on late but I was switching between that Channel and Channel 10 for Commonwealth Games action. The Homicide story was of a man who was pushed down the stairs from his wheel chair, which unceremoniously followed him, and as we learned later, he was kicked in the head because he didn't die in the fall.
I was rather amused about the portrayal of a rather sexy elderly lady who was clearly keeping many of the men amused - sounded a bit like a gold digger, but she was having a load of fun in the nursing home, and clearly so were some of the men.
It was interesting to read the behaviour of the police as they visited the nursing home and questioned the residents. One comment was made about the smell of the establishment. Sadly this is something that is common in nursing homes. A combination of odours from bodily functions (especially urine), disinfectant, room fresheners, fragrances, food and all other smells that might emanate from a group of people living in close quarters.
The attitude of the police towards the elderly residents was very poor, but I thought it was a realistic portrayal of life in an establishment. Mind you, it was a quality establishment - it looked wonderful. The story did highlight some of the issues that elderly folk have to deal with - the elderly gent who was the carer for his wife - did they live in the open/residential part of the complex?
She was run over by one of the suspects and died, but it appeared that her husband, whose dwindling finances had resulted in him being advised that he would have to go somewhere else, was party to the murder. Can you imagine the trauma this man was enduring - knowing that he no longer could afford to give the care/roof over her head to his beloved wife.
Sadly money is a big issue in the aged care industry. There are folk who have a good sum of money in the bank who are 'saving' it for their offspring There are some who have no savings and must live in lower standard accommodation. There are some whose family/families are hungrily waiting for their legacy - the money that they hope will remain after their parents' demise. Something to help them through their lives.
Ageing can be a big drain on finances. I know my father was not prepared to sell his home to move into residential care. Even though the money he had in the bank was inadequate for the huge deposit he was asked to pay.
Sex in nursing homes??? I remember in my early nursing days that this was discouraged - everyone had their own bed and there was no sex, but that changed somewhere. Despite the fact that dementia may be an issue with some residents, they are adult, and as such, provided they are discreet, sexual activity between residents is accepted.
