Geriatric City

from-amy-reese

PHOTO PROMPT © Amy Reese

It’s awful to see her there, fully aware she’s surrounded by people who can’t differentiate between a pig and a pencil!

Today mum was weeping.

“They washed my favourite woollen jumper in the machine.  My heather-coloured Edinburgh Mill cable-knit your dad bought.  They didn’t ask, crept in during the night and stole it.  It’s not machine-washable and it’s ruined.  I would’ve told them it has to be hand-washed,” she sobbed.

I went to retrieve it from the laundry and found a grotesquely shrunken and matted garment that wouldn’t have fitted a Barbie doll.

My heart broke for my lovely mum.

Word Count: 100

Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.

 

51 thoughts on “Geriatric City”

    • Clare Hempstead says:
      Reply

      Thank you – sadly it is a true story about my mum. She has Alzheimers and when she was in hospital she was in the early stages, but a lot of people around her were much worse and she hated it! Happily she is back home with Dad now, but has good days and bad.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. patriciaruthsusan says:
    Reply

    My mother was in a nursing home. Nothing like that happened, and she had Alzheimer’s so probably wouldn’t have noticed if it had. However, I’d advise people not to take valuable items to an elder care facility. Everything’s given common care. No one will fuss with special care. Also, I’ve heard people working there sometimes take things. Their pay is not great. You’ve got a good place if your relative doesn’t have bruises. Keep checking. My mother was in a good place. Good writing, Clare. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    • Clare Hempstead says:
      Reply

      Thanks Suzanne. I really appreciate the advice. Mum’s at home at the moment and dad is coping, but my brother and I are concerned about what will happen if he’s no longer around. A bridge we will cross if we need to!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. rgayer55 says:
    Reply

    My father had dementia, and after he died my mother went to a nursing home a couple of years later. Most of the people who worked there were thoughtful and caring, although there’s always some dumbass who won’t know a pig from a pencil (I love that line). 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Clare Hempstead says:
      Reply

      Thank you. The nurses weren’t uncaring to mum to be fair, but they took her jumper without her knowledge, which upset her. They don’t have time to hand wash and probably thought it would be alright, but mum felt out of place and ruining her jumper was the last straw!

      Like

  13. gahlearner says:
    Reply

    This hits home for a lot of people it seems. Painfully realistic writing, great story. My mother had dementia after a severe stroke, but people in her nursing home asked us to not bring her delicate clothes that can’t be washed roughly. I brought her these only for special occasions and took them back home afterwards. The people in this home were amazing, I’m very grateful for the care they gave.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Michael Wynn says:
    Reply

    Excellently written from the heart. Loved the line about the difference between a pig and a pencil. It’s sad to see how often dementia sufferers’ needs and wishes are callously disregarded by those who think they know best.

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