after I ended up in my present condition, I was placed in Long-term Care,
probably largely because there was no other place for me to go. I was in my
late 30s when I was first placed in this Long-term Care facility. I am now
in my 60s so I have had plenty of time to get a "feel" for the place, so to
speak.
One thing that I have learned is that the elderly are just people with their
own little quirks, just like we all have. Before I came into Long-term Care,
I was never around seniors very often, being as all my grandparents passed
away when I was quite young. When I first came into Long-term Care, I wasn't
even 40 yet and I remember thinking, "What on earth am doing with all these
"old people"? God impressed on me that, though they are often forgotten,
they are still His people. Over the years, many seniors have come into this
place, eventually passed away and others taken their place. But I try to
remember that they are as important to God as anybody else.
If I had to sum up life in Long-term Care in one word it would be
"lonely". At least, I assume that other cognitive people are as lonely as I
am at times. However, being as I spend most of the time in my room, either
using my computer or resting in bed, I really don't know that for sure. What
I do know is this. There is not enough staff on to take time to visit with
these people. I guess this is where friends and family should step in. From
what I see at mealtimes, some family members are really good at spending
time here. Others, I really can't say.
Along with other things, Long-term Care is teaching me patience. With
minimal staff and 30 or 31 people to be taken care, somebody will be waiting
most of the time. Because I am cognitive and understand the situation, I
often think that I may as well be the one to wait. Except in the mornings when
I like to get right away so I can get on my computer and read the Bible
until breakfast. That usually puts me in a better mood for the rest of the
day.
I have learned that living in Long-term care is not cheap. I find the rent
here quite steep. Mind you, I so out of touch with the world that I find the
prices now for most things rather high. But, when that rent includes both
food and utilities, neither of which are cheap, I guess the rent has to be
that high. I am just thankful that my finances are in such a state that
paying the rent is no problem for me.
I have learned to appreciate people who work in facilities like this. I
couldn't do it. I was a teacher so I dealt with the opposite end of the
spectrum. I really do think that it takes special people to work in a place
like this. Like most jobs, there are probably some in it just for the money
but, for the most part, the staff seems to really care about these people.
For people who don't always have a lot of people to care for them, I think
that is important. For me, it means a lot to me to know the staff cares,
even when I am not at my best.
I will conclude by saying this. Even though I would never have chosen to
reside in Long-term Care, it has been quite an eye-opener. A valuable one, I
think.
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