Leave it to me to write something sappy . . . lol.
I really hate it when I get frustrated with long term care. If I go home frustrated and dreading the next day, I just feel so cold hearted and sad, especially around the holidays.
We get punched, called names, spit on, we lift we roll, we clean up some terrible messes, we're answering one call light after another just to have it ring again five minutes later, we're on our feet all day, we're tired, and it DOES get frustrating.
This really has been one of "Those" weeks for me . . . and I realized that I need to do a little reflecting, and I did that.
As frustrating as it gets . . . although it is difficult . . . put yourselves in their shoes.
Everyone was born equal. They were someones son/daughter, brother/sister, and friend. They have experienced life as we have. Though things were different in their generation, they were all innocent children once.
They've all been through the "awkward" Stages of life, where they've had to make decisions and learn to grow.
As time goes on many have started a family, so not only are they someones son/daughter/brother/sister/friend. They are also some ones husband/wife/Boyfriend/girlfriend/mother/father etc.
As time travels even further they are grandma's and grandpa's with grandchildren who think that they are the greatest in the world.
For some, the day comes where they cannot care for themselves. Sometimes it is just too much, and they are placed in long term care to be cared for by absolute strangers.
The most bitter of residents have some one who loves them more than anything in the world or had some one who loved them more than anything in the world who had since passed away.
Sometimes they are left behind, to never see their family again, or to rarely see them. Sometimes distance plays a factor, other times the family wishes to remember them the way they were, when they were more full of life. Sadly sometimes they are pretty much forgotten about.
Imagine still knowing in your head who you are, where you are, and knowing that you probably won't see your family anytime soon, but you are unable to do a thing about it!!! That has got to be rough around the holidays. Imagine not even getting one Christmas card. How unloved would that make you feel?
Long term care is often the last stop of life. Many of them know that the end of their lives are not so far away.
It is important for all of us to remember, that our residents need compassion, no matter what. Any of us can be put in their shoes someday.
No matter how compassionate you are, in a long term care facility there may be that ONE or that FEW who are difficult to deal with, and may not get much compassion sent in their direction, or even simply a very lonely person.
I must say, when the compassion lacks from me, I do feel bad.
I am a firm believer in paying it forward.
I have a project for all of you who work in long term care who wish to do something good for some one over the holidays, and I will be doing this too:
Choose three (or more) people, in your facility, who ; is very difficult, who is very lonely, or one who just needs to know that someone cares.
Next, think of something for each of these residents that would make a world of difference to them, make them feel like they are on the top of the world, if only for a moment.
It does not have to be a gift. I am thinking more in the lines of doing something extra for them that they would not expect.
*Sit down and talk to some one that rarely gets visitors. Choose a time where you are not hurried, even if you choose to spend your lunch break with them, or stay after work.
*Cancel their tray and bring them a home cooked meal
*Decorate their room for Christmas
*Let them go out for that extra cigarette if they are on scheduled smoke times.
*Take a walk outside with them (weather permitting)
*Bring some Christmas cookies!
*Take the time to do their hair with a curling iron, do their nails etc.
*Give them a Christmas card
I am sure there are other things you all can think of . . . any other ideas, please post.
The smallest things can make all the difference in the world to them . . . and remember, what goes around comes around.
Thank you,
Amanda
