Finally, a decent nursing home

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My aunt (my mother's sister) has been showing signs of dementia for a while now. Five of their seven siblings have had Alzheimer, but my cousin has been so good to his mama. He's done everything possible for her, especially since he's not married, but it finally got to where she was falling a lot and not sure if she really was eating her meals at times. My cousin decided he had to finally put her in a nursing home. He checked out several and I don't know how they are where you live, but around here they can be quite awful. He found one in a small town about twelve miles away and she moved into it last Friday. Yesterday, I picked up my uncle (her brother, who also has Alzheimer) to go see her for a visit. I was very surprised and pleased to see it was a rather nice place, as nursing homes go. Neither she nor my cousin are wealthy, so it's not an exclusive home for rich people. The front area when we walked in was decorated, the walls were freshly painted, I think, the staff seemed caring and friendly, and there wasn't that odor that is often present in facilities like that. My aunt's room was small, but a nice size. Her son had moved a recliner into it, along with a small TV and mini fridge, several framed photos of family, and did all he could to make it comfortable and seem almost like home. Of course she wants to go home. I'm sure I would, too. But it will most likely be my aunt's home for however long she lives. I was always so discouraged whenever I visited anyone in a nursing home, but I told my husband, this one would be where I'd want to go if that were the only choice for me. I guess the older you get, the more you think about things like this. I'm just glad to know that not all nursing homes are horrible. I know my husband and I will take care of each other as long as possible, and our children will take us if needed, but you never know what the future holds.