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Two poems about old age

old age frailty death suffering dignity care nursing homes

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#1 Droplet

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Posted 18 January 2012 - 05:50 PM


An acquaintance in the care industry forwarded these on to me. They are taken from The Dignity In Care Campaign.

"I'm Here..." - A poem about Dignity in Care for the person that matters
I am still a person although my actions and words may not make sense
It's just something's seem complicated to me, doesn't mean that I'm stupid or dense
I ask you don't treat me as another number a person in care
I'm a person who needs to be treated with respect and dignity that's fair
I am frightened and confused and not sure what's going on
So please don't assume that my faculties' have gone
There are times when I can recognise special people and their faces
And remember special thoughts and memories of times and places
I need your help, your care and complete reassurance
To know that I can spend the rest of my days happy getting through this
I was like you once, you know, and wish I was still today
But unfortunately life has dealt the cards and I've ended up this way
So please understand I'm not stupid, nor a child or mad
I'm just a person who is confused, frustrated and sad
And so I am asking please be there for me and make me smile
Make the rest of my life happy, special and worth while
Louise Appleton 2010

I Laugh With You Sometimes
I laugh with you sometimes
and say foolish things,
I try to be brave
and think you won't notice,
I am crying inside.
My words muddle up,
though I know what I mean
I get so confused
I wish I could scream!
I am crying inside.
I am in the wrong body,
my minds not my own.
I live in a large house
and long for my home.
I am crying inside.
I forget the last minute
''What was it you said?
i remember my childhood
but can't find my bed!
I am crying inside.
Where are my family?
my Father my Mother?
all the friends I have known
where has time gone to?
I am crying inside.
I long for my last bed
my pillow the grave.
yet i cling on , I am so afraid.
''Won't somebody hear me!''
I am dying.
I am crying inside.'
Heather Macken. 1994.

#2 Elus

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Posted 18 January 2012 - 08:16 PM

Quite chilling, especially that second one.
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#3 Droplet

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Posted 18 January 2012 - 10:19 PM

Quite chilling, especially that second one.

I'm glad someone else finds them as chilling as I do...you have made me feel less crazy. :) I think that one way to get our message across is to show just how horrible old age truly is and what it is like. A lot of people ignore it or are just plain ignorant of it.

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