For now it isn't raining. But it sure has been. The worst of the storms went to either side of where I live. I am greatful.
At my work when a tornado warning is issued for the area all of the residents and staff must go to the hall ways. It doesn't matter what time it is. Even if a meal is being served. I understand the need but it does make for some very stressful times. It also makes for some very cranky residents when there are multiple tornado warnings in one night or string of nights.
Spending much time in a closed hallway with so many people is not an enjoyable experience. These incidents bring back a lot of memories for many people. Some are a little too familiar with air raid shelters, think WW2 veterans. Others get nervous in closed spaces or in crowds.
My mom and birth father had always commented that they knew a storm was coming by the behavior of the students. I find the same to be true of the residents. I'm sure scars and arthritis are reacting to the changes in the weather. But, there is a different energy level as well as people being more irritable when a storm is building.
All of these things make storm season harder. I am sure these things are factors through out the country. After all, safety of the residents comes first in a "nursing home". I know that isn't the politically correct term. But, it does convey the type of place very well. After all a "health and rehab center" is a place where people live who need medical care. Or need more help than average with daily living.
There is something else I've been thinking about these last few days.
Those who work in these types of places are sacrifice so much. Laundry, housekeeping, and kitchen often are over looked. The nurses and cna's are more noticable and so are more likely to be remembered. But those that fill the support staff roles are rarely seen.
What do I mean by sacrifices?
We often don't get true weekends off even though most of our families still live in a weekends off world. In families that don't plan ahead very well that means a lot of missed family events. For example, my cousins have planned wedding showers, weddings, and later baby showers for Saturdays or Sundays. I also only get a couple weeks notice that these things will be happening. That usually means I don't have time to request the time off so that I can be involved too. I only get my schedule for a month at a time so that makes it really hard for me to plan anything myself. As a general rule I only get one weekend out of 6 off. And even that can't be counted on because of others needing time off or calling in.
So we sacrifice our weekends, most of our holidays and a lot of our time during any given week. On top of that the "support staff" rarely earns much more than minimum wage. And a lot of times not even so much as a thank-you. In some states the minimum wage is more that my hourly rate, and I've been working in the same place for over 10 years. As to the holidays. I haven't actually had Christmas off is over 5 years. That's okay, I'd rather have Thanksgiving anyway (and I request that day off when the schedule goes up in early October). Since I do not have children I work almost every other holiday in the year.
It is amazing how many people don't realize that at a "nursing home" when some event happens there is a lot of work on top of the usual work load. Meals still have to be fixed and cleaned up after and cleaning still has to be done. While the prep work happens. After the guests go home and the residents are in bed there is still the extra clean up that must be done. Think of the times you have had guests in your home and the work of putting everything back to rights. Then multiply that by 50 or 100.
I would ask this. Those of you who have family or friends that you visit.... a "please" or "thank-you" goes a long way in making a request easier to accept. Yes, filling these requests is our job. But please, or thank-you acknowledges that what is being asked is in addition to the daily work.
Please be tolerant when the person waiting on you isn't as fast as you would like. After all, we are trying to balance the needs of the many and the wants of the few. Getting every thing done can be really, really, hard sometimes. Keeping that gravy from burning or being lumpy must be balanced with fetching that ice cream from the freezer for someone who wants a snack right now. Or making that sandwich. Sure, it only takes a moment or two. But, those minutes add up.
No, my work day wasn't a bad one. It was just very busy. If I actually got 5 minutes of my allowed break time I would be surprised. Some days are like that.
I know this is the time many are starting to wake up for the day. But, I am going to take a nap for a couple of hours. Then get up to take care of my animals. My plans for the day depend a great deal on the weather.
Sometimes I find myself remembering that stitched pillow I saw "Rainy days are when gardeners get their housework done". Sometimes I sure can relate to that.
Until next time....
