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.
Silent deaths
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears mourns the loss of relatives she hadn't known died. Her contact with many family members has been limited after she moved into her nursing home. Read More » Tonight in Holly’s world
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears talks about a fellow resident with memory loss who is reliving her younger days as a nurse by trying to care for other residents. Read More » Roving counselors
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears describes how setting a standing appointment made her more receptive and comfortable to counseling. Read More » The journey to rundown
Keeping up with appearances isn't easy. Even though maintenance and upgrades can be difficult, they are a necessary investment. Read More » Push back on meal time rules
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears talks about the mealtime rules and where to draw the line with resident tardiness to the dining hall. Read More » Complaints about 11 Mass. nursing homes
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears discusses some shady practices at several Massachusetts nursing homes and wonders why the sites didn't require more background checks. Read More » Finding a haven
New residents can struggle to combat their fears and find a way to feel useful, but everyone can help them adjust, says resident blogger Kathleen Mears. Read More » A holiday tradition ends
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears talks turkey and how budget-strapped nursing homes might want to think local at the holidays. Read More » The struggle for joy
The holidays aren't happy for some people, but resident blogger Kathy Mears reminds us how to be in charge of our own joy--and perhaps help others to do the same. Read More » Holiday time
Resident blogger Kathleen Mears gets a new bit of holiday cheer for her room, while spending quality time with her sister--showing that the little things mean a lot. Read More » Locked out of the med cart
Not everything goes the way it should, which can be frustrating. Here’s how one nurse managed to finish her med pass. Read More » Is this help or harassment?
The following account illustrates the importance of screening before hiring. Bad employees can ruin a facility’s reputation and a resident’s quality of life. Read More » 