Why We Need A New Our Island Home

To the editor: Take a moment, close your eyes, and envision one of your loved ones of any age suddenly needing 24/7 nursing care. You try to care for them at home with private duty 24/7. You discover that private nursing care on island is difficult to find. Suddenly, you realize you can no longer care for your relative or friend. Many of you hopefully will not need this level of care.

But if you do, now what will you do?

Now, envision having to take your loved one to the mainland for long term care. Trying to find a long term care facility can be a challenge, trying to find one that gives loving care and not too far away is also a challenge. This is what will happen if we lose our beloved Our Island Home. Also, think of the cost of the travel involved. Generations of Nantucketer’s have found a safe haven for the care of our families and friends. That safe haven is Our Island Home.

The loving care my mother received for the 4 years when she was a resident was a godsend to our family. I was able to visit her as often as I wanted to without leaving the island. I’m not saying it’s perfect, nothing is perfect.

An example of the outstanding level of care is the early days of Covid. The staff was able to keep Covid out of OIH. Their dedication went above and beyond. They were our heroes!

Today, we are moving forward and we are asking the town for a new Our Island Home, one that will give the residents and staff a place to comfortably live and work. We know the cost of the building is high. Think of the cost broken down to each homeowner as an insurance policy for you and your family.

Whether you agree or disagree with the location or the design, the bottom line is save Our Island Home for ourselves and future generations of Nantucket. Let’s look forward, not back.

Kathy Grieder