I have worked for Mrs. H for nearly a year. First, at the over 55 complex where I saw all sorts of older folks living life in a setting not unlike most apartment buildings. The place is smallish only 50 units. They have all sorts of activities and themes every month if folks chose to join in.
Now, Mrs H is in a nursing home after breaking her arm. She needs help for everything. My only experience with nursing homes is with my grandma who needed to be there as she was a danger to herself. She had dementia, drank too much and said all sorts of crazy things, she really, really loved men. Once when I brought Mark over to pick her up she said to me, "Oh Rosie you brought me a man.", saying this while she was rubbing Mark's back. A nice place for her to be taken care of, safe and busy. Her physical body was fine until her death at 95.
Mrs. H is in the same facility.
Now this...it is very very difficult for me to not try and touch every single person in this place. They are lined up in the hall way, in wheelchairs, looking lost and alone. Mrs H forbids me to help any of them. I can talk to them, but I can not answer any personal questions. "It's rude to ask someone their age, Rose!" of course it is...but I feel sad.
I know I can't help them, there's liability issues of course...but it's just so dang hard...and sad to watch a friend fade away...I guess the best thing I can do is just continue to be a friend...
There are very good employees there that take good care of her, but they are not family. Dear Lord I hope one of my kids sees fit to take care of me. People say it's the kid you least expect to be there...I have good enough odds ... 8 kids, 3 grand kids so far...They call me Crazy Rose at work, maybe I'll simply go nuts one day and I won't care where I am at...
Anyway, I am not there yet so it's on I go...!!
5 comments:
you know what they....be nice to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home :)
Kelly
hi rose, good to see u here. i worked in the office of a n.h. for almost 10 years. people become friends.they may not remember u, but i gets to their hearts. roberta bertswords
Liz will take GREAT care of you, trust me. I worked in one of those homes and it is a good thing for a resident to have someone come see them often. Glad you are able to still be with Mrs. H.
XO
My grown up kids were laughing and cutting up with us the other day and my son, Patrick said to my daughter, Sarah Kate," I'll take Mom when the time comes, and you take Dad. Mom likes to read and do stuff on the computer, she'll be easy. Dad is going to be bored to tears and hard to keep happy!" Ha ha...live long enough to get revenge on your kids!!
::SIGH::
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