Hello everyone!

On December 24, 2024, my mother needed emergency surgery. That is a day I will never forget. My life changed tremendously that day, and what followed has been a long, emotional, and difficult journey for our entire family.

Unfortunately, complications following her surgery left my mom with a tracheostomy and dependent on a ventilator to help her breathe. This changed the very foundation of her daily care and significantly impacted all of our lives.

We were fortunate enough to have her treated at two different specialized hospitals, where medical professionals worked to wean her off the ventilator. Unfortunately, despite those efforts, she ultimately had to return to ventilator support.

Finding a Nursing Care Facility for My Mother

Eventually, we were able to get my mom into a nursing care facility located just half a mile from our home.

Having her so close has been a tremendous blessing. It allows us to visit frequently, remain involved in her daily care, and be there when she needs us. We sincerely thank God for making that opportunity possible.

However, it didn’t take long for us to realize that ensuring my mother received the care she needed would become a daily challenge.

The Reality of Having a Loved One in a Nursing Home

When a loved one enters a nursing care facility, families naturally hope they will receive compassionate, attentive, and professional care.

Unfortunately, our experience has shown us that this is not always the reality.

Many people work because they need to earn a living and pay their bills. Not everyone necessarily enjoys their profession or the responsibilities that come with it.

In our experience, it quickly became apparent that not everyone involved in my mother’s care demonstrated the same level of dedication, compassion, or concern that vulnerable residents deserve.

This has been one of the most difficult realities for our family to face.

When someone you love depends on others for their most basic daily needs, you want to believe they will be treated with dignity, respect, patience, and kindness.

Sadly, we have learned that we cannot simply assume those things will happen.

Why Senior Care Advocacy Is So Important

Our journey of advocating for my mother did not begin at the nursing care facility.

We had to advocate for her during her initial hospitalization and following her emergency surgery. We continued advocating for her at the specialized hospitals where medical professionals attempted to wean her from the ventilator.

And now, we continue that same advocacy at the nursing care facility where she resides.

However, there is one significant difference.

Advocating for my mother’s care at this nursing facility has become our greatest challenge yet.

For those unfamiliar with the term, senior care advocacy involves protecting, supporting, guiding, and speaking up for older adults as they navigate complex healthcare, housing, legal, and financial systems.

An advocate helps ensure that an older adult’s rights, dignity, safety, and personal preferences are respected rather than overlooked because of institutional policies, medical terminology, or other challenges.

Advocacy may involve asking questions, communicating concerns, monitoring the quality of care, participating in care planning, and making sure a loved one’s needs are being addressed.

For families with loved ones living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, advocacy can become an essential part of everyday life.

Being My Mother’s Voice When She Needs Us Most

I cannot emphasize enough how important senior care advocacy has become to our family.

My sister and I advocate for our mother every single day.

We ask questions. We express concerns. We follow up on issues. We pay attention to her care, and we speak up when something doesn’t seem right.

And sometimes, even after addressing an issue, we find ourselves having to address it again.

It can be mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting.

But when it comes to my mother’s health, safety, comfort, and dignity, remaining silent is simply not an option.

I often wonder what condition my mother would be in today if my sister and I weren’t actively involved in advocating for her.

I genuinely do not know whether she would still be here with us.

That may sound like a strong statement, but it reflects the seriousness of what we have personally experienced.

Senior care advocacy isn’t just about asking questions or expressing concerns. Sometimes, it can mean the difference between a loved one’s needs being addressed or overlooked.

Sharing Our Journey to Help Other Families

I have decided to begin sharing my personal experiences with senior care and nursing home advocacy through a new category here on The Inspiration of God.

My upcoming articles will discuss the challenges, concerns, lessons, and experiences my sister and I have encountered while advocating for our mother.

My purpose is not simply to share the difficulties we’ve faced. I also hope to encourage and inform other families who may be navigating similar situations.

If you have a parent, spouse, sibling, or another loved one living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, I want you to understand just how important it is to remain involved in their care.

Ask questions. Stay informed. Pay attention. Speak up when necessary.

Most importantly, remember that your loved one’s dignity, well-being, and quality of life matter.

This journey has not been easy, and it continues to challenge us in ways I never imagined.

But through it all, I remain thankful to God for the opportunity to continue loving, supporting, and advocating for my mother.

Have you ever had to advocate for a loved one in a nursing home or healthcare facility? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Until next time, may God bless you and your loved ones.

sister Brenda