By Bert Stratton | The New York Times
(Editor’s notes: The author is the uncle of Rose Law Group founder Jordan Rose. Opinion pieces are published for discussions purposes only.)
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Donald Hall, 86, a former poet laureate, probably captured the general mood when he wrote that nursing homes are “old-folks storage bins” and “for-profit-making expiration dormitories.” He wants to die in his farmhouse in New Hampshire.
But I think that sounds pretty lonely. I wouldn’t mind going into a nursing home and not coming out. In due time, thank you. I’m 64.
My band, Yiddishe Cup, has been playing nursing homes regularly for decades. Last week, we got our first request for “Brown Eyed Girl.” The resident who asked for it was a stroke victim. “I never smoked and worked out regularly,” he said.