Blogs are hard to write lately. Reason? Overload of upcoming holidays, working as a rep for OPSWA! (the best thing I ever did in my life) and part-time caregiver to the most darling girl in the world.
Its December. Hard to believe another year has flown by.
I have hope, I have vision and I will continue fighting as an advocate for elderly and vulnerable clients across the province of Ontario and across Canada as a member of OPSWA. I heard the other day that the difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline! I dont have a timeline…it is not visible to me yet. But I will continue to dream & work toward that goal of PSWs united across the province in education, support, professionalism and quality.
Today I am inspired to write about Old Folks!
I have experienced a lot in my life – and thankfully almost everything I have done has been a lesson to me. The very biggest lesson in my life was taking on the job of a caregiver.
I did it blindly as a teenager – not prepared for it as courses were not available back in the Stone Age ( I am talking the mid 1960s)
Hard to believe isnt it? One of the most important jobs in health care – no preparation. Mind you things have improved and now we have a new title in Ontario – Personal Support Workers
and we do have a course that trains PSWs in many skills and strengths. My Christmas wish is to get education standardized across the province.
But I digress. I want to comment on Old Folks. They are the ones PSWs care for. Not always – but mostly. Other important groups we serve are individuals with early onset dementia, brain injury, special needs, cognitively delayed – so many fascinating people I have met in my life.
Old Folks!
I am one – or almost. I am over 60 and on the slippery slope toward end of life..ooops..did I say that? Yep…as a senior on Twitter I am learning all kinds of things and EOL – is one of them. Each of us is heading there. We don’t think about it much when we are in our teens and early adult years. But when you are a PSW – its something you see every day. When you are an Old Folk its more than seeing..its believing. To Old Folk, every day is precious. No matter if you are facing cancer, or dementia or if you are in fairly good health..each day is important.
I don’t believe that Old Folk purposely wake up grouchy in the mornings..but if you do find one of us in a bad mood…perhaps you could think about why?
– not happy to have the overhead lights turned on at 6 am sharp and forced to be dressed or bathed or both – and then have to wait til 8 or later for cold oatmeal and soggy toast?
– didn’t sleep well despite pain meds and has achy joints and Just got to sleep an hour ago!
– nothing to get up for – no one will visit me today.
– breakfast? can live without it – but they wont give me tea and toast in my room because I MUST attend the dining room in order to be socially involved and participating. Bah Humbug!
Does this give you some perspective on your grouchy clients? I hope so. Cause one day I am going to be in that bed when you come in and flip that light switch.
Be kind to me…speak softly, put a small light on..give me a chance to open my eyes and feel human. Treat me with respect and kindness becauseI need that. I don.t get hugs, cuddles, or kind words very often. Perhaps my husband died, or I am alone far away from children and family. Perhaps I am scared. Perhaps I am tired, depressed and in pain.
You may have a special event planned tonight – you may have a party to go to or a concert with your partner or family. I have very little to look forward to. My family is scattered across the province or country. They won’t see me over the holidays. I may be able to read a book or not. I may be able to enjoy a TV show or not. I may lay there sleepless til 3 am – listening to call bells, listening to staff talk in the halls…wishing I could find a snack but I can’t get out of bed and the staff are too busy and can’t find anything great in the fridge anyway…
When you look at things through others’ eyes – you may understand why Old Folks are grouchy.
Especially Old Folk in care.
Give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember that Christmas time is not that happy for someone who is in retirement or LTC. They get few visitors. They have few cards or gifts. They maybe can’t enjoy the turkey dinner because they can no longer eat certain foods. They need us more than ever, even just to get out of bed – or maybe to turn over or reposition. They need PSWs to enrich their life, bring sunshine and energy into their room.
I hope you will report back and tell me how many smiles, hugs, words of kindness you get back for being an inspiration in their day.
Thank you to all PSWs who give up their Christmas with their kids to care for others. Thank you for sharing your energy and time with those who have little to look forward to. I will be “on duty” over Christmas. I would not be anywhere else. PSWs bring Hope and Love. PSWs make the difference.
Merry Christmas one and all.
from an Old Folk who understands the point of view of a resident in LTC.
Natrice Rese PSW
NRese@opswa.com http://www.opswa.com
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