This country is supposedly one of the richest in the world. Still, many old people in "care", who live in retirement homes, spend the last years of their lives in very undignified conditions.
Over the last few years, my mother in law, who is the youngest of 12, has been visiting quite a few of her siblings in our local "home". One sister was so dehydrated at one point that she had to be hospitalized. Why? The staff didn't have "time" to make sure she drank enough. They did, however, have time for extensive cigarette breaks. One day, MIL came to visit at 11.30 in the morning, and the woman's alarm button had been put out of reach, and the curtains weren't even drawn. No breakfast, no toilet, no nothing.
Now, another sister is in there. She's quite capable of controlling her bowels, but not physically able to "go" on her own. When she rings for help, she's told that she's got diapers on, so there's no need for a trip to the toilet.
Can you imagine the degradation? No amount of adult diapers can take that away. Of course, one holds out as long as one can, just in case someone takes pity, and puts one out of one's misery. Not very good for either your physical or your mental health. MIL's sister is now very ill. Some sort of bowel problem. Imagine that.
Still - the staff have got a canopy up on the balcony now, so that they can enjoy their cigarettes away from the wind and rain. They also have to have their lunch breaks all together, thus leaving the inmates to fend for themselves.
I smoke. Why? So I can die before I have need of their "services". That's probably why they smoke too.
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