External Care of Elderly
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The death of an elderly Humboldt woman found in a hole in her back yard raised questions as to whether or when families should explore retirement home options for their loved ones. “We did what we could to keep her safe, but in the end it was her decision,” said Rose Pewitt, great-niece of Fannie Campbell, the Humboldt found dead Friday. Pewitt said the family helped Campbell move to a nursing home three years ago. “She did stay in a nursing home for five or six days,” said Pewitt. “Aunt Fannie, being as headstrong and independent as she was, she would not stay,” she adds. Family members said Campbell had a history of mental problems. “About three years ago Aunt Fannie started to have some increasing mental problems,” said Pewitt. Retirement facilities we talk to said there is usually a two to four week adjustment period for their residents. “It’s very important to look at their mental and physical abilities,” said Ruby Powers, RN at Forest Cove Nursing Home. Powers said a nursing home is by far better if the elderly person lives alone with no family members to check on them. “I think bottom line is, every situation is different and every person has different family dynamics,” said Miranda Bennett, a person responding to the ABC 7 Eyewitness News Facebook page.
