I never EVEN ONCE came across another family member while I was there.
This is 100% unadulterated bull shit. If this were true, then ZERO residents had Husbands or Wives who did were still able to get around? Once again I say - BULL SHIT.
I used to work for a long term care (nursing facility) company, and I spent copious amounts of time in many different facilities. There were family members in resident rooms pretty much 24x7. Family members who come to eat lunch and/or dinner with their loved ones, many each and every day. Family members visit to take their loved ones outside for a walk, or a "wheel". Family visiting with the entire clan. Family bedside as a loved one is in their final moments.
Your statement about the Resident's money is bullshit also. Every state in the nation requires nursing homes to set aside a Resident's money in the equivalent of escrow - it's called a Resident Trust. They can use it as they so desire. Most all nursing facilities have beauty shops, where an old gal can even get her hair colored and made spiffy. The kitchens have fucking salad dressing. They have ketchup and mustard. Old people can't taste very well, condiments are essential. How the fuck is this tripe being passed as being accurate? OK, I can understand 99% here have never stepped into a nursing facility, and I will NOT say they're happy places. They smell, very old people shit themselves all day, they shit the bed, they pee the bed, folks are stinky, drool, sit around yelling very odd shit. Even the best of the best nursing facilities will have human stink. Period. I'm HAPPY that I don't have to step into another nursing facility until life dictates such. But what Dogzilla1000 is saying is at best a very fanciful embellishment, or at worst complete fabrication.
Oh, regarding the "coke" controversy. Nursing facilities keep soda to a minumum, for more than HALF of their residents have diabetes, and many others absolutely crave sweets. States LIMIT the amount of sweets a nursing facility can serve, for the resident's health.
TL;DR - this is bullshit. Nursing homes ARE sad places, for grouping a bunch of very old, sick folks makes for a sad environment. But, the quality of care isn't nearly bad as this makes it sound.