Stoned old Lady

So, Grant's wife is very independent. She takes care of him quite well; she gives him his medications, dresses him, tends his bumps and bruises from his falls, cleans his poos up (which I REALLY wish she'd let us do, because she usually makes a bigger mess). The only thing Us Girls do for her is that I help her in the shower in case she falls.

Tonight, however, was a different story. She had accidently swallowed one of Grants sleeping pills, and when I went in to give her the shower, she was freaking stoned out of her mind. She was slurring her words, could barely stand up, could hardly walk, and was having great difficulty using her limbs. Her fine motor control was gone. It was freaking hilarious, to see this reserved, quiet, proper lady absolutely trashed out of her mind. She was acting like she was really, really drunk.

I had to undress her, help her walk into the shower, put her shower cap on her, scrub her completely, get her dressed, get her in her nighttime absorbent undergarment, walk her into her room, and pick her up and put her in bed. She was slurring so badly I couldnt understand her. We did laugh quite a bit, especially when she nearly fell off the shower chair.

I did promise her I wouldnt tell anyone though. Oops. Dont tell her I told you how funny she was.

Death in Threes

There is a saying, that death comes in threes. After working in this retirement home for a while, I am now a believer.

I am on my third set of three, since I started working here. We recently lost two, and now a third is sick. This will be my first time losing someone that I actually know, that I actually have regular contact with. All of the other old folks who passed on, I haven't known that well.

This situation is difficult as well, because of her family situation. Apparantly, our resident's son hasn't had a lot of contact with his mother, and now that she's ready to leave this world, he is feeling guilty. This is a normal reaction to the loss of any loved one. But he just doesn't seem to be ready to let go. The resident is suffering, and she's going to hang on as long as she can. Her son isn't ready, and it's making her afraid, which just means in the long run she's going to suffer more before her time is up. It is frustrating for Us Girls, because there is nothing we can do to help. I just wish that her death is quiet, quick, and she doesnt have to suffer. But, I have a feeling that wont be the case. She will suffer needlessly because her son refuses to acknowledge it's time to say goodbye.

It is very difficult to remain professional, to remain positive and supportive, and remain objective. My emotions are torn in different directions. But, you just have to stuff your personal feelings away in the back of your mind, and go on with business. Only in the privacy of my home, can I let everything out.
My hobbies are my therapy, including this blog.

Thanks for listening.