A week ago, College Daughter found out that she had gotten the nurse's aide job that she had interviewed for in early May. We were all thrilled, although somehow, HER new job ended up costing ME money as she needed a couple of sets of scrubs. I'm learning to be generous.The job is at an assisted living facility, although she is working in the area that is more like a nursing home. The patients need a lot of physical help, and apparently, some could also use a little psychiatric help as well. Her first day, she was helping a 93 year old lady (let's call her Marie) get back into her wheelchair after using the toilet. Marie was angry at the other aide, who had taken her sheets to get washed after she had had an "accident." (College Daughter later found out that Marie does this on purpose, among other things). As she was helping Marie in a very tight space, Marie suddenly turned on her and said, "I'm going to trap you!" College Daughter was a bit confused, but that old lady had a tight grip on her wheelchair and did manage to trap her between the handlebars of the wheelchair and a closet. Now, of course College Daughter could have just pushed the wheelchair out Marie's grasp, but being the caring person that she is, was concerned about causing Marie to fall and break a hip. The other aide returned to hear Marie yelling, "I trapped the new girl, I trapped the new girl!" Eventually, they managed to get her turned around and in her seat.
Later on that day, College Daughter was taking other seniors to the lounge area to watch TV and play cards. That's when she witnessed Marie up to her old tricks once again. Marie "fell" out of her wheelchair and then pulled the wheelchair over top of herself to make it look like she'd really taken a tumble. Then she started yelling for help. This must be a frequent occurrence, because College Daughter said the other residents ignored the entire episode!
We are looking forward to more anecdotes as the summer progresses.
Senile dementia. . . it's a wonderful thing to behold. . .
ReplyDeleteSounds like yer daughter is getting a good summer's worth of life lessons. . .
So is this paid work, or you get "paid" with you education work?
ReplyDeleteCripes...I wish I was as semi-spry and limber at 41 as it sounds like Marie is at 93!
ReplyDeleteDesmond - I think she's just reverting back to her attention grabbing toddler years. What a trip!
ReplyDeleteRuss - Yes! Finally a paying job for her. She spent the last three summers doing hospital volunteer work.
FADKOG - I know! I don't think I could pull a wheelchair onto myself without pulling a muscle or something.
Too bad there's not a screenwriter in the family... I sense the makings of an irreverent comedy.
ReplyDelete:D
My mother worked in nursing homes for decades and she had many stories like this. Don't be surprised if college daughter finds out later that Marie doesn't even need the wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteMom ran into many who had never grown up and many who were life-long grouches. She seemed to think that only the responsible, serious, level headed folks died young.
Ahh well, glad she found work.
Flutter - Oh, there was more fodder yesterday. I will have to write an addendum to this post.
ReplyDeleteXavier - I've known plenty of swift 90 year olds. I think those that wind up in nursing homes are there because they've exasperated enough family members that there is no other option.
I suspect at 93 in a nursing home you've got to do SOMETHING for entertainment!
ReplyDeleteI trapped the new girl!
Classic.
Zip - Yes, it does seem like a boring existence. Hilarious to me too about the trapping.
ReplyDelete