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Monday, April 16, 2012

Life at the Nursing Home





Every once in awhile I like to share a few stories about some of my sweet little people at the nursing home. There is really never a dull moment there. A lot of people think nursing homes are depressing and boring, and they would never believe how much fun and laughter happens at our place!
Here's a few stories from the last few days.

We have a lady who used to be a nurse. They say nurses are the worst patients, and it seems to be true. This lady always questions each medication she gets and can be very sarcastic. The other day she was having quite a day, and had decided to sit at the nurses station. She was repeating things we said in quite a mocking tone. After she had been sitting there for about half an hour, her son stopped by. Upon walking in and seeing her, he asked what she was doing. Her answer? "Spying on these people". Her son was not surprised by this answer.

We had a cooking activity last week. The residents who took part in it, had to wear a paper head covering and gloves. One of the men didn't want to take off the head covering, stating it was his football helmet. He sat near us, talking much more than normal and refusing to give up that "helmet".

It was a quiet day on the weekend, so I took one of my ladies in her wheelchair, behind the nurses desk with me. I told her I needed help up there. She is quite confused but enjoys joking around. When she heard the whole line we have to say when answering the phone, she wasn't interested in that job. I asked her if she wanted to put nurses notes into the computer and she didn't think that was the job for her either. We decided she would greet visitors with a smile, and ask "May I help you?" I have to say, she was cute as can be at this job. She then told me - "I need $5 an hour for this. I'm a union worker you know!"

One of our little ladies came up past the nurses station, heading for the laundry area. Hanging over the front of her walker were some underwear. One of the aides offered to take the underwear to the laundry for her. As she carefully picked it up at the waistband, the resident said "thank you, they fell in the toilet". : )

You see? We really do have fun!

21 comments:

Terri said...

sounds like a fun place to work :)

Karin said...

Some of our seniors are so sharp!! If it were not for the physical needs that require 24/7 care, they would still be in their own home. Sometimes the seniors simply 'say it like it is' without thinking whether it will hurt someone's feelings or not. It takes quite a bit of skill by the staff to not take things personally or to smooth things over between two of them! You had some fun stories to tell! There's never a dull moment is there!

Unknown said...

Soooo cute! I love the things that come out of their mouths! Pure joy! The little greeter sounds like she really enjoyed being able to help. You'll definitely have to share more stories. It made my day!

Brenda said...

OMGosh! That last one cracked me up!

Beth said...

I just had to click on when I saw that picture--what an adorable 'figurine'!
The last story is was LOL---my Dad would have loved that one especially. He had some great stories when he was living in one.

Laura said...

I was almost wondering if Dad had done that carving. :) You do have quite the stories there!

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, Mari...besides your photos of your granddaughter, and your son, and your family, and your flowers, and your recipes........these are a favorite of mine!!! They're such a hoot. I can only imagine the fun...I wouldn't think it'd be boring or depressing at all. There may be some sadness, sure, but for the majority,.....I could enjoy working with the aged, I'm sure.

Now my two favorites today are the 'union worker', and the underwear. I was rolling!!!

Connie said...

Your stories are priceless....
I think it takes a person with a good since of humor to see the humor around them in an assisted living home. If one is always looking at the downside of life would work their he/she would not see much humor in a place like that. I'm sure you are a real blessing to them as well.

Betsy Brock said...

Oh those were priceless. I'm sure there is never a dull moment!

Penny said...

LOL!!! Oh, I can't wait to retell this to my husband! Ha!

Mari said...

I love old people. :o)

Pat said...

I love to read these stories, not only to hear the humor from your residents, but to feel the love you have for your job and taking care of these precious people. They are a blessed people to be in your care!

Sharon said...

It does sound like a place of some really neat seniors.
I love them all.
Hugs

Sylvia said...

not quite there yet (!) but I laugh more with my friends aged 70 and over than the young ones. Their sense of humour is so sharp. It certainly must make your day pass quickly

Kim said...

hahaha
Thanks for sharing your stories, they certainly put a smile on my face :)

Betty W said...

Hahaha, that last one was good. I bet that makes the day go by faster, if there is something to laugh about.

ancient one said...

Cute little stories. I'm sure you have your favorite patients. My daughter works in a nursing home and she speaks of them so often, I feel as if I know some of them. Of course her favorites are my favorites too, and I've never been in her nursing home. I do go to see my husband's sister in the nursing home. For the most part, she seems happy and well looked after. Last time we visited she had taken a fall and had a bruise on her arm. Accidents happen sometimes. She was in a good mood
and we had a pleasant visit.

Nancy said...

Bless your heart -- finding laughter in the day is so important. Thanks so much for sharing these stories. :)

Andews said...

Some seniors do get a lot of mood swings. It’s probably because they are in physical pain, like backaches, or maybe they are just missing their loved ones. I think it’s great that you have so much patience and compassion for the elders. They really need more people like you. Great job!

Andews Hayes

Marianne (Mare) Baker Ball said...

Oh my gosh, so funny! I'm linking in from the comment you made on my post that was featured on A Great Place. I can see these patients making these remarks! You really do have to laugh with the elderly. There is an honesty and an innocence that is so authentic. They just tell you the truth. Like kids. Great post. I so admire your work. I'm very involved at my folks' ALF, but I could not work there if my folks were not there. It is a calling, I think. There can be so much sadness and frustration. God bless you Mari! So nice to find you. I'm going to follow because you are helping the greatest generation!

Cara Larose said...

Awww.. What sweet little tales you have in that nursing home, though the last one is hilarious. Now, I’m missing my grandma. Sigh. Anyway, it sounds a cool place, almost the perfect nursing home where there are no moments of those granny tantrums, or are there? Hehe