Kathleen Mears
Kathleen Mears is a long-time blogger who has been a nursing home resident for 21 years. She is an incomplete quadriplegic and uses a power wheelchair to get around. Her computer is her "window on the world." This blog shares her thoughts and view of life as a nursing home resident as well as ideas of how it might be improved in the future.
When lifts break
A broken Hoyer lift and shortage on lift pads means that SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears has to stay in bed for the foreseeable future. Read More »
Student nurses make the rounds
SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears writes about her experiences with nursing students doing clinicals at her nursing home. Read More »
’Tis the season
SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears reminisces of holidays past spent at nursing homes, a reminder that this may be the most difficult time of year for some residents. Read More »
The heartbreak of caring
Caring can come at a cost for residents and aides, but the hurt is worth it, says SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears. Read More »
Remembering a milestone
Blogger Kathy Mears reflects on the events that eventually led her to living in a nursing home. Read More »
The cleanliness factor
SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears shares how personal hygiene affects her mood and sense of self. Read More »
Connecting with a church
SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears shares how she wishes she had more connection time with her local church. Read More »
Giving thanks for my roommate
In a year filled with changes, many of which were unexpected, SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears reflects on a relationship that has brought her good tidings of great cheer. Read More »
To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate
The decision of whether to get the influenza vaccine has added considerations and consequences for those who work and live in long-term care facilities. Read More »
Another involuntary discharge
SNF resident blogger Kathleen Mears shares her experiences on being involuntarily discharged and how she thinks the process could be avoided. Read More »
Quite the fright
Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only things that can spook. SNF resident Kathy Mears explains how a faulty call light rattled her. Read More »
Recognizing employees
SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears liked that her former facility started an employee award program but wished it were better explained and communicated to residents. Read More »
Hydration project
Soda may be popular, but SNF resident blogger Kathy Mears says ice water is often the nicest accompaniment to a meal. Read More »
Plugging in
Powering on in a nursing home means meeting fire safety codes designed to keep residents safe, but compliance isn’t always easy or cheap for residents trying to make their space a comfortable, functional home. Read More »
A commanding presence
How do you care for someone who doesn’t think he needs—or wants—help? Read More »
Waiting for growth
The decision to go gray may have been the easy part. Blogger Kathleen Mears writes about the year-and-a-half long process of growing out her roots. Read More »
Transport troubles
Traveling from Point A to B is not as easy as getting in the car and going for blogger Kathleen Mears, who recently had a particularly harrowing drive. Read More »
A pressing situation
Bathroom access is restricted for blogger Kathleen Mears, as her shared facility is the only one she can use because of mobility issues. That can result in an uncomfortable situation. Read More »
A live feed of nursing home life
Social media is a popular method of communication, but what happens when staff and residents use it to share about long term care? Resident blogger Kathleen Mears shares her observations and opinions. Read More »
The tastes of home
Comfort foods bring joyful memories and joy to our stomachs. Resident blogger Kathleen Mears longs for sandwiches on toast, a simple luxury that is difficult at best for her to get in long-term care. Read More »
Cleaning house
Accumulating stuff is easy to do no matter the space, but decluttering is trickier for blogger Kathleen Mears as she needs help to sort through things. She thinks other residents could benefit from a good cleaning, too. Read More »
Learning to cope
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears shares how she has adjusted her expectations and outlook as an incomplete quadriplegic. Read More »
Clear skin is in
Controlling breakouts is a trying ordeal to begin with but is more difficult for blogger Kathleen Mears because of nursing home restrictions on what she can put on her face. Read More »
A step forward
Putting your best foot forward can be a challenge with stiff foot and leg muscles, blogger Kathleen Mears explains. Read More »
A winning combination
Over-the-counter pain relievers help resident blogger Kathleen Mears manager her pain. Read More »
Secret hiding place
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears discovers empty wrappers for missing snacks on her roommate’s side of their shared space. Read More »
Altered space
Fresh air is good for the lungs and going out can do the soul a world of good, resident blogger Kathleen Mears writes. Read More »
An open letter to Congress
Blogger Kathleen Mears writes legislators about how the proposed healthcare legislation would affect her and fellow nursing home residents. Read More »
An awakening
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears watches as one resident transforms after she gets a fork in her hand and starts feeding herself. Read More »
