Subject: Jail versus Nursing Home
By Patrick Joseph Roden, PhD at aginginplace.com LLC (original at AginginPlace.com)
One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is, that things are what they are and will be what they will be. (Oscar Wilde)
My colleague, Emory Baldwin AIA, sent this thought-provoking piece his father shared with him; after contemplating the merits of institutional living. This will get you thinking about how society treats its “interned.”
Subject: Jail vs. Nursing Home
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Let’s put the seniors in jail, and the criminals in a nursing home.
This way the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies, and walks, they’d receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs etc. and they’d receive money instead of paying it out. They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly, if they fell, or needed assistance. Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes, and bring their meals and snacks to their cell. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling, pool, and education. Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, P.J.’s and legal aid would be free, on request. Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard, with gardens. Each senior could have a P.C. a T.V. radio, and daily phone calls. There would be a board of directors, to hear complaints, and the guards would have a code of conduct, that would be strictly adhered to.
The “criminals” would get cold food, be left all alone, and unsupervised; lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week. Live in a tiny room, and pay upwards of $5000.00 plus per month and have no hope of ever getting out.
Justice for all…
About the Author
Patrick Joseph Roden, PhD, spend the first years of his life crawling around the floors of a nursing home where his grandmother was head nurse. He feels this experience imprinted him and influenced his life’s work. Patrick’s nursing career spanned over two decades and included ICU, CCU, Trauma, Inner-city Public Health, YMCA Cardiac Therapy Volunteer, and post-surgical recovery. In 2010 he was awarded The Lloydena Grimes Award for Excellence in Nursing from Linfield College School of Nursing (1st male ever to be awarded).
Patrick holds a PhD in Social Gerontology, Fielding Creativity Longevity & Wisdom Fellow, is a member of Kappy Delta Pi: International Honor Society in Education, was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nurses Beta Psi chapter (2015), Human and Organization Development Scholarship recipient in recognition of scholarly contribution. Professional organizations include: The Oregon Nurse’s Association, Oregon Gerontological Association, American Society on Aging, and National Aging in Place Council. Patrick is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).
Patrick’s professional interests include: creativity and aging, aging in place, the aging brain, and the aesthetic experience. He is a contributing blogger for Boomer-LivingPlus.com and The Mature Market Experts, and is the creative force behind AgingInPlace.com.
