yeh it's a touching poem.
I have worked in nursing/residental homes. The reality is, the homes these days are BUSINESSES, not many now are run from love and care. you are not allowed to sit with and chat nicely to the residents when you have a few minutes spare, the staff numbers are less then minimum.... It's a fact that where I work(on a dementia unit,) if you get caught sitting down chatting /listening with them, you get kicked off your arse and told to look for some cleaning work. And when it gets back to the director, that we had 'nothing to do'... she then implements further cleaning duties. In the social services department, it is the same. we are told chatting and listening to them are jobs for their relatives/friends, whether they have them or not. Not for care workers..so don't put your folks in a home, thats my good advice here.I could tell you stuff that will make your toes curl