Title: The Doom of Happiness

by Carla Hamieh

    I.            In fact, sending one’s parents to residential home may cause the latter severe mental and physical byproducts.
     A.                      Initially, residential homes negatively affect one's parents mentally, for they are the main reasons behind depression that parents attain and the loneliness that they have to adjust to those residential homes.
 1.                   showing the relation between residential homes and the increase of depression according to American Geriatrics Society  2.                    foreshadowing the negative effects that come from loneliness in a TEDxDesMoines conference
B.                       Sending one's parents to a residential home also causes a lot of negative outcomes physically such as the increase of deaths and elevation in blood pressure.
1.                   highlighting that isolation leads to the increase of death by Dr. John Cacioppo’s analysis
2.                   showing the byproducts of being isolated by a research carried out by Dr. Louise C Hawkley
II.             To wrap up, a residential home is just a prison that can lead to a myriad of problems in the mental and physical fields.
                           The Doom of Happiness      “ Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light; giving back the love that was once given is a different kind of kindness, it’s the warmth and tenderness that one can offer to those who once cared.” This quote asserts that everyone, especially one's parents, who showed affection and concern toward ones life and were that flicker of hope between the doors of his or her hindrances and obstacles and the dark days he or she encounters, are the ones worth living for and returning the gratitude that was given and standing by one not only in their bright days but also by their dark ones. Yet, some people may seem to forget that parents are the angels of mercy, they are the only people that one could go for comfort, and they are the ones that truly love their children. One can’t turn a blind eye on the consequences of sending one's parents to a residential home. In fact, sending one’s parents to a residential home may cause the latter severe mental and physical byproducts.             Initially, residential homes negatively affect one's parents mentally, for they are the main reasons behind depression that parents attain and the loneliness that they have to adjust to in those residential homes. To begin with, it is crystal clear that nursing homes create a routine for those in it, same activities, dining times, series or movies, or same trips if there are any; they are basically cages that parents are put in to give one peace of mind from the burden of their parents. That alone can sadden those who are left in a nursing home and can cause depression. And according to the American Geriatrics Society, a large possibility of being in a residential home can cause depression due to those monumental changes, and that has been witnessed in 40 percent in nursing home residents as to the many stories heard from those who live there, and their change from a joyous mentality into a burdening and gloomy mentality. Moreover, as these parents are left in such residential homes, more weird and unfamiliar faces can come along, and less comforting faces will be seen. That is due to the complete abandonment of their children in these nursing homes which one might feel too suffocating and alone. During a 2013 presentation at the TEDxDesMoines Conference, Dr. Cacioppo talked about the negative effects of isolation which comes with isolation parents in residential homes. He mentions that not only does it affect the depression and loneliness of a person, but also by their health and might damage one's “social” body.           Sending one's parents to a residential home also causes a lot of negative outcomes physically such as the increase of deaths and elevation in blood pressure. To start with, being isolated and less contact with people may lead to such tragic cases such as deaths. And it is clearly shown through a study conducted by University of Chicago psychologist, Dr. John Cacioppo whose analysis of a survey done including 2,100 adults aged 55 and over to study the connections between social relationships and physical declines. He concluded with his team that the lack and decrease of social relationships raises the possibility of an individual’s risk of premature death by 14 percent. Adding to that, isolation plays a crucial role in the escalation of blood pressure as it is one of the many biological responses that occur due to the feeling of being alone and isolated from society. As a piece of evidence, research carried out by Dr. Louise C Hawkley and colleagues from the University of Chicago that included 229 participants in the US and isolated them for about 4 years. After this period of time, raised blood pressure was concluded which was associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney problems, and dementia.         To wrap up, a residential home is just a prison that can lead to a myriad of problems on the mental and physical fields. It is so saddening to realize that some parents are being treated like this. Children should be tolerant enough while dealing with their parents as they should put themselves in their parent’s shoes and realize what horrible and dreadful steps they’re taking regarding their parents. Those children should use their common sense and logic in solving such problems and take turns into caring for their parents, because that would be a regretful mistake they won’t realize that they’ve done until after it’s done and after realizing that they were truly the angels comfort and mercy.              x
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