Final answer:
The story suggests the nursing home's lack of visiting hours is a consequence of societal shifts where the elderly are often seen as burdens due to industrialization. It highlights complex family dynamics and the emotional impact of old age care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The absence of visiting hours at the nursing home in the story may reflect the societal changes regarding the treatment and care of the elderly. In the past, especially in agrarian societies, it was common for aging parents to live with their grown children and contribute to the household. However, with the shift to industrial economies, younger generations moved away for work, and the elderly began to be seen as a burden. This separation can lead to feelings of guilt, sadness, and sometimes anger among the children, and could possibly contribute to the nursing home's decision to not have visiting hours. Furthermore, nurses like the one in the story may justify such arrangements by claiming that children, or family members in general, would get accustomed to the absence of their relatives. It highlights the complex dynamics of care and dependency in old age, as well as the emotional impact of such societal shifts.