Once upon a time, Grandma and Grandpa were planning to go to a nursing home.

Grandma said, "Belle, your Grandpa and I will be heading to a nursing home next week."

I asked, "What is a nursing home?"

"A nursing home is where old people go when they need someone to take care of them," said Grandma.

I asked, "Why do old people need someone to take care of them?"

Grandma explained, "Well, these people need help with their Activities of Daily Living, also called ADLs."

I asked, "What are ADLs?"

Grandma listed, "Going to the bathroom, brushing your teeth, waking up in the morning, etc."

"Couldn't Mom and Dad help you with that?" I asked.

Grandma responded, "Your Mom and Dad are busy people that are working to take care of you and your brother."

"At a nursing home, there are people who take care of me and your Grandpa 24/7," Grandma added.

I asked, "How?"

Grandma replied, "These people will make sure that I am able to get out of my bed properly, eat regularly, and keep up with my hygiene."

I asked, "Grandma, how will you and Grandpa eat? Do you have your own kitchen?"

Grandma replied, "There is a dietary manager that plans all of my meals. There are cooks and dietary aids that prepare dishes and control portions. Grandma and Grandpa have to eat healthy."

I asked, "What is a dietary manager?"

Grandma replied, "A dietary manager is in charge of staffing, purchasing food, inventory management, and manages food preparation within the company budget."

"Wow, Grandma and Grandpa! I want someone to cook for me too," I exclaimed.

I asked, "Grandma, I know there are nurses that take care of you, but what about your new home? What if there is a fire, or what if something bad happens?"

Grandma replied, "Don't worry, there is a maintenance department, housekeeping department and security team. They make sure I am safe and that I live in a comfortable environment."

"Will they have doctors there to help you all the time?" I asked worriedly.

Grandma smiled and answered, “Of course! There are many different nurses and nursing assistants like RNs and CNAs to come check up on Grandpa and I to make sure we are okay.”

"Why do you need nurses to check up on you and Grandpa?" I asked.

"Well, Grandma and Grandpa have arthritis, high blood pressure and weak bones," Grandma said in reply.

Grandma continued, "The nice nurses at the nursing home will make sure Grandma and Grandpa are safe and taken care of. They will do many things like check our health, help us with daily activities, preform physical exams, and provide medicine we need.

"Will you be able to make friends at the nursing home?" I asked.

"Oh, of course!" exclaimed Grandma. "Many people decide to move into nursing homes at our age, Belle, and for all different reasons.

Sometimes it's because our bodies don't move as quickly as they used to, and sometimes it's because our minds are not as healthy as we're used to."

"Do you remember my friend, Jenny?" Grandma asked.

"Yes, I like Jenny. She is very nice but she has a hard time remembering who we are each time we visit, Grandma," I replied.

"Well, Jenny's family decided a nursing home would be a safer place for her to live because of the help they offer," Grandma said. "Jenny is very happy in her new home."