THIS Is Why I Love Geriatrics

Specialties Geriatric

Published

  • Long Term Care Columnist / Guide
    Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

You are reading page 2 of THIS Is Why I Love Geriatrics

rnmi2004

534 Posts

Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

What a beautiful way for the staff to show honor & respect to this couple that has gone through so much together.

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Oh Marla - I wanna come live in your assisted living facility! How very special you and the staff are. The genuine warmth in your post is palpable. Thanks so much for sharing.

Specializes in School Nursing.

:blushkiss this is sooooo wonderful !

you are a real credit to the profession ! bless you "big time" !!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Here's a little follow-up: Paul and Sylvia were still on Cloud Nine today, so thrilled were they by yesterday's events. Sylvia said Paul ate more than she's seen him eat at one sitting in months.......of course the food was inviting, but she said he was totally relaxed (which evidently isn't the case with him normally) and he ate hugely of the fish and salad and bread we served. They both were smiling all day, which alone was worth the price of admission so to speak, and when their daughters came in this afternoon to visit, they gave us a card and some VERY big hugs to say thanks.

These are the things that make working with the elderly so very rewarding.......it doesn't cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to do a little extra special something, yet the good feelings last a lifetime. Paul and Sylvia aren't the only ones who got something wonderful out of that impromptu party........it's something we too will always remember and be able to smile about.:nurse:

I know caring for the elderly is not for everyone, but when someone who's seen so much of life places his or her trust in me, I think of it as an honor. And when one of these dear souls reaches out a hand and holds onto my own as though it were a lifeline.......well........they end up with a pretty good-sized chunk of my heart as well.

There. I've said it. I am a steel MARSHMALLOW.:wink2:

jnette, ASN, EMT-I

4,388 Posts

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
I love working with the geriatric population as well. Your story gave me goose bumps on my arms. They must have been absolutely thrilled. You sound like a gem and the ppl you work with as well for arranging this special dinner for them. Bless your hearts!

Oh wow ~

THANK YOU for sharing this ! This just made my night !!! That was just toooooooo good ! Bless all of you for going above and beyond... I know this couple was deeply moved !

AWESOME!

KUDOS !!!!!! :kiss

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Oh wow ~

THANK YOU for sharing this ! This just made my night !!! That was just toooooooo good ! Bless all of you for going above and beyond... I know this couple was deeply moved !

AWESOME!

KUDOS !!!!!! :kiss

I'm glad to hear that. :nurse:

I forgot...........one of the staff members got some pictures, and there's this perfect one of the couple sitting by the table with all the decorations in view and big grins on their faces. We're going to get it printed and enlarged, then put it in a frame and give it to them. They do not yet know this.:wink2:

Specializes in Acute, subacute and Geriatric.

Great experiencing the joy that it gave all of you. To make anyone feel special, no matter what the age blesses the giver and the receiver.

I accidentally fell into Geriatric care giving at a young age. The residents have helped me become who I am today, by the exchange of caring and acceptance.

Many more great things as well but I will end with that. God Bless.

Specializes in Hospice.
I know caring for the elderly is not for everyone, but when someone who's seen so much of life places his or her trust in me, I think of it as an honor. And when one of these dear souls reaches out a hand and holds onto my own as though it were a lifeline.......well........they end up with a pretty good-sized chunk of my heart as well.

Beautifully said... and so true.

MuddaMia

246 Posts

:scrying: (I am bawling--I think I have PMS) Wonderful story

vamedic4, EMT-P

1,060 Posts

Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Thank you so much for sharing that with us...now my coworkers are giggling because they see the tears in my eyes.

vamedic4

Just had to share this great story from work today.

Paul and Sylvia are a married couple living at my assisted-living facility. They've been there several years, and Paul's health has taken a huge nosedive in the past couple of months.........he's severely anemic, requiring blood transfusions every few weeks, and he's just gotten over his fourth bout of pneumonia since the first of the year. Sylvia, of course, knows that his time may be short, and she's not in the best of health herself; in fact, she and I have had some private conversations (not to mention hugs and a couple of good cries) about "later", and how we as a facility will support her and help her get through it.

Well, this morning a rumor got started that today was their 56th wedding anniversary, a story that was promptly confirmed by the couple, although they "didn't want any fuss made" and appeared to be almost embarrassed when the administrator announced it at lunch. Their sons and daughters had sent them a huge flower arrangement, so at least there was some acknowledgement of the day...........and then a couple of us staff members got to thinking about what we could do to help them celebrate for real. After all, we thought, how many anniversaries do Paul and Sylvia have left?

So I asked them if they had any plans; they said No, so I asked them where they'd go to eat if they DID have plans. Sylvia promptly mentioned a local place they both enjoyed, and off I went to see what we could do about it. Soon everybody was in on it: the administrator, the lead med aide, the office manager, the other staff.........everybody, that is, but Paul and Sylvia. A dinner was ordered for delivery by the chosen restaurant; somebody dug out some white Christmas lights to decorate with; I sent my hubby and the lead med aide to my house to dig out some of the decorations we used at our silver anniversary party last year.

Between the lot of us, the anniversary couple ended up with a dinner fit for kings, and a fancy table on the second floor balcony to sit at and be waited on by the administrative staff. There were fresh flowers picked right out of the garden out back; silver candles; roses and confetti arranged on the table; white twinkle lights festooning the balcony; even a festive dessert specially prepared for the celebrants.

To see the smiles on the faces of those two precious people made every bit of effort worthwhile. Sylvia was crying; Paul was doing everything he could NOT to cry, and they were both so happy and so surprised that they could hardly speak! We told them we wanted to have an anniversary to remember, and that's exactly what they got............they both said even if they lived another 20 years and forgot their own names, they would never forget this night.

And THAT'S why I love what I do.:p

vamedic4, EMT-P

1,060 Posts

Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Dang it Marla...now I just read the followup...it's like Niagra Falls back here. Thank you for everything you do to make their lives better.

vamedic4

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

That's very sweet. Thank you.:nurse:

Sorry if you got embarrassed by sniffling in front of your co-workers!

You know, the two of them haven't stopped smiling yet..........I went in to help out for a couple of hours today because we were short-staffed (always happens on a holiday weekend!!:madface: ) and there was a fall, a c/o chest pain, and a sudden illness, all within three hours of one another. My poor med aide was just beside himself........well anyway, Paul and Sylvia greeted me when I got there with HUGE hugs and said "Oh, everything's going to be OK now, Marla's here!" They've always liked me, but ever since the party, it's like we've formed this extra-strong bond that has completely cemented our relationship.

After what I went through at my last job, I've got to say that it's nice to know people have such confidence in me. It's a lot of pressure too, because I'm NOT God, and I'm NOT a miracle worker, and I'm certainly NOT perfect. But I must say that having this job, at this time, working with this group, is one of the highest honors my life has ever brought me...........even though I haven't had a single uninterrupted holiday weekend since I started!!:chuckle

+ Add a Comment