Good point, McGrath, though I hope that some care workers do come to care. However, here in the US I think it must be easy for them to get burned out--low pay, lousy benefits, high numbers of people to care for, expecting to go home at the end of 8 hours and finding that someone is not showing up for the next shift and thus being mandated to work two or more consecutive shifts, etc. I hope things are better for workers where Claire is.

I had a friend who was in a nursing home for several weeks. She was a model resident, always sympathetic to the workers, making few requests, etc. When a worker was getting stressed, he/she would often come to my friend's room for a few minutes to de-stress. A few years later I spent two months in a hospital for physical and occupational therapy after a medical disaster. I tried to emulate my friend, and I know the staff appreciated that. However, I know there is a big difference between being in a similar place for a long time instead of a short time.

Claire, I continue to hope that things work for you where you are now or until you find someplace that meets your needs even more.