Aging trophy wives of wealthy elderly patients

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I had an interesting patient this week, a local multimillionare. He started a famous nationwide firm. He is in his late 80's and has been fairly disabled for the past 7 years from a CVA, but was alert and oriented, and able to clearly communicate all of his irritable demands to those around him.

His wife of the past 35 years was at his side. They live in a 17,000 square foot home (she informed me). She looked to be in her 60s, so she was probably over 20 years younger than him. She didn't look or act like someone who was born into wealth or education whatsoever. In fact, she struck me as someone who would feel at home in front of a slot machine in a Las Vegas casino, with a cigarette in her mouth, sipping on a gin and tonic, and clutching a bucket of tokens. In short, she was less than classy or sophisticated. She managed to constantly mention all of their lavish possessions. For instance, when I was admitting him the first day and going over his belongings, she kept saying how expensive the diamond was on the ring that he was wearing. She also managed to work into the conversation many other things about their opulant house, all the people who wait on them hand and foot, etc and so forth. She was pretty unsophisticated. It was extremely entertaining. :chuckle

Well, this is nouveau riche vs. old money. But as Christina DeLorean embroidered onto a pillow, "Nouveau riche is better than not riche at all."

Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.
I don't recall mentioning anything about being upset. I was just sharing about my interesting and amusing patient and his wife.

Wasn't necessarily referring to your post. There was a response indicating it was "pathetic" and I was just making a general statement.

Specializes in Women's Health, Oncology.

Should have asked her to take you to Vegas...you would have had a blast.

She would bring the cash, you would bring the O2. LOL

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

You know I'd rather be the dumb trophy wife than the intelligent RN who is looking after their ever need.

I would love to be able not to work and be pampered on a daily basis LOL

I've never seen a UHaul behind a heorifice.

OMG!! :hhmth:

Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
I always wondered how the men with trophy wives could have any self-respect knowing that their wives just married them for their money. It's so pathetic.

It's a two way street, the women marry for the money and the wealthy men marry to have a beautiful piece of eye-candy probably to portray the "I have it all" appearance. If it works for them, then that's their business. Eventually one of them will probably upgrade to a better prospect.

Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Well, for whatever it's worth, as Judge Judy says, "Beauty fades, dumb is forever"...

Specializes in Nursing assistant.
....she struck me as someone who would feel at home in front of a slot machine in a Las Vegas casino, with a cigarette in her mouth, sipping on a gin and tonic, and clutching a bucket of tokens.

Mom!

:cheers:

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Wasn't necessarily referring to your post. There was a response indicating it was "pathetic" and I was just making a general statement.

I'm the one who used "pathetic" in my post -- refering to men who know that their trophy wives don't really love them, but only married them for their money.

I don't get upset by the whole thing, either. I just feel sorry for those men and their wives. That's why I choose to hope that there is actually some love in their relationship and not just a financial deal.

I have no objections to money or the people who have lots of it it general. In fact, I have often argued in their defence on this site. I am all in favor of allowing them to purchase additional services that help make their hospital stays more comfortable, etc.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

If the OP had been describing a patient instead of a family member, would the Anti-Judgemental Police be out in full force on this thread? ;)

Bless her heart! That's probably all the enjoyment she has. Can't take it with you. I've never seen a UHaul behind a heorifice.

My bro-in-law is a multi millionaire and out of my jealousy of him I never miss a chance to ask him if Wells Fargo will be following him at his funeral.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
If the OP had been describing a patient instead of a family member, would the Anti-Judgemental Police be out in full force on this thread? ;)

Ha ha, I love that The Anti-Judgemental Police! That's priceless. There sure is a lot of that on internet discussion sites!!!:bugeyes:

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