nursing home – n. a place where people who are old or who are unable to take care of themselves can live and be taken care of

benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect

glimmers of hope – phr. a belief that there is a slight chance that something positive will happen

entirely – adj. completely

immune system – n. the system that protects your body from diseases and infections

poultry – n. domesticated birds kept for meat

blanket – n. the whole amount

side effect – n. a secondary and usually negative effect of something (such as a drug)