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Monday, October 22, 2012

More fun at the Nursing Home


We have a lady at the nursing home who is in her 80's.  She's quite something, get's around pretty well with her walker and is alert but forgetful.  When at home, she was doing things like leaving pans on a lit burner and forgetting them.  She also isn't too aware of safety issues and trips over things at home so she's come to stay with us.  She doesn't think she should be there and it's a constant refrain with her, that she needs to get home.  The house is a pigsty because she's not cleaning it!
Another thing about her is that she's very conservative.  She doesn't believe that women should wear pants and tells us we shouldn't wear "overhauls".  She gets after the young aides for wearing dark nail polish or too much make-up, and if she hears about someone having a tattoo, she really has something to say.
She has a good sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye, in spite of her sharp comments.
A few weeks ago she went out for the day with her family.  When she came back around 5, I was still there and saw her come in.  She walked in pushing her walker, with what looked like a cigarette, hanging out of her mouth.  What a funny sight!
When she got closer, I saw it was a candy cigarette, something I didn't know was made anymore.
She and her sister had visited an old time candy store and came back with a bunch of boxes.  She took great joy in giving me one, and telling me to give one to our Dr.  She handed them out to some of the other nurses as well, with a big grin on her face.
The next morning, I was doing the am med pass and she threw another box at me, telling me to "have a smoke".  I took one and got a few looks from some of the other residents who aren't used to seeing the nurses walk around with a cigarette!
I've said it before, I'll say it again - life is never boring at the nursing home.

15 comments:

Connie said...

That is to funny for words!

Pat said...

Great story! I didn't know they still sold those either!

Terra said...

That lady still knows how to have fun and it's nice you joined in on the cigarette "smoking".

Betsy Brock said...

haha...oh, that is just hilarious!!

My mom was so conservative that we weren't allowed to have the candy ones, either! lol.

Anna Bailee (Chelsea) said...

I wished that my nursing home was "not-so-boring" in the way that yours is. I do love the laughs that the residents always give us though. It truly is never a bore working at a place like this.

Beth Cotell said...

The kids and I were just talking about candy cigarettes. We have an old time candy store close to here. Maybe I should stop in and get some!

Sharon said...

How funny and I love the cig in the mouth. I did not know they still made them either.
It is nice to get back with you.
I love your stories.

EG CameraGirl said...

It's good there's some humor there! :))

Life and Breath and Everything Else said...

This story really made me laugh!

Unknown said...

She is a hoot for sure!!!

Brooke said...

i don't know how you do it, but i think nursing home workers deserve a special blessing from God!!

Karin said...

Oh my, what a hoot! Our folks didn't even want us to give the 'appearance' of evil by smoking candy cigarettes! We did though - but truthfully, they were never my favorite candy - didn't like the taste! Cute little conservative with a bend to being naughty!!

Unknown said...

That is a great story, she sounds like a wonderful person to know. I am writing a paper on nursing home billing and nursing home patients, I would love to add a little of this story in my paper. Is that ok? Thanks so much for sharing Mari.

Mari said...

Lauren - you are welcome to share the story.

Rebecca said...

What a hoot!