REFLECTIONS : Veterans Day
Amid the see-saw classifications of red or orange , the use of the mask or not , imposed or suggested by the authorities to curtail the spread of the supposedly waning COVID-19 epidemic , residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes and their families are in a quandary . To visit or not ? To show a darling granddaughter now 2 years old to an ecstatic grandparent , or not ? To transfer an ailing family member or friend from home to an institution and risk contamination ?
Consequences occur when questions of judicial family hierarchy arise . Grief , guilt , financing , caretaking time , when discussed openly have torn families asunder . On the other hand , discussions may resolve long hidden differences of opinion when finally addressed in the open .
Once decided and accomplished , placing “ at risk ” loved ones in assisted living may not be all that bad for all concerned . In a protective environment , loved ones are shielded from news of riots , maybe in their own neighborhoods . Candidates and followers of political parties disparaging each other in not so gentlemanly terms may not be at the daily forefront . Though news of destructive fire and typhoons abounds , images of wars and inhumane treatment of refugees could flash before their eyes , but only if they choose – they cannot help with any of these problems so many do not choose . They
20 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by TERESITA BACANI-OROPILLA , MD
have therefore time to ameliorate their own immediate problems in peace .
A peek at what residents do ? Today is Veterans Day . It falls on a Friday , which is weekly designated as “ Happy Hour ” at 2:00 p . m . at this particular place . Residents from different areas , i . e ., independent or assisted living , temporary rehab patients or functioning memory care ones , assemble in the activity room to be entertained . Favorite drinks and snacks are served to us , most are in wheelchairs or walk with rollators or canes . Many have lived here for months or years . They greet their friends and sit beside them .
The entertainer sings and plays songs of the World War II era or the Vietnam era and even back to the Civil War period . Many sing along with their favorites – songs of longing , faithful love , departures , reunions . It is to be noted that most songs were rhythmic , melodious , sometimes sentimental or naïve in comparison to the modern sexy ones of the current culture . They sometimes bring tears to their listeners ’ eyes , or sway with the rhythm at hand . Two veterans , one 105 years old , the other in his eighties , were given awards of merit , with laughter and many exchanges of stories . The singalongs ended with the patriotic and endearing song “ God Bless America .”
Caretakers then helped the residents to their rooms to pursue their individual interests . Thus , shielded from the turmoil of “ progress ” in the “ now ” electronic age , many live the rest of their mortal lives in relative peace and quiet .
Veterans of life ! That is what they are ! Dr . Bacani-Oropilla is a retired pediatrician and psychiatrist .