Sometimes caring less about stuff means you care more about others

 Today was a good day. I spent most of my energy focusing on what mattered to me: giving people a chance to feel strong and supported and satisfied in their day.

I encouraged one resident to play bingo with limited vision. All she needed was someone to point in the direction of the number to cover, and she was happy.

I took our sourpuss resident out for a walk and she remembered my name, and asked me about myself, for the first time ever. Then she thanked me afterwords in a gentle voice and I felt very very lucky.

Ok. That was all. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our upcoming art gallery

Image
 I'm still at the same home, but something I'm super pleased and proud of is our art gallery we'll be hosting at the home in a couple weeks. Here're some artists works: I have only posted photos of art without names of residents to protect their privacy. 
Read more

Do miracles happen?

 Today was overall a good day. Nothing special on our horizon. Another person passed away, but it was a slow path downwards after the last hospital visit for them.  I think we pulled off a miracle that truly made my boss's day. We've got person A. This person has been MONUMENTALLY challenging for our team and especially our boss. But as we are attempting to encourage this person's activation, we bring them to more group programs. Today they did bingo. Then in the afternoon, they spent time with a person they liked. And in the afternoon, my team mate recommended I try this person for a recorded announcement that we play in the home thrice weekly for residents and staff to know what upcoming activities and events are going on. (residents read off a pre-written announcement written by me, which I then record on our cellphone) I did not expect this person to say yes to doing an announcement, but they did, and concisely! I was impressed. I was floored. I was thrilled. I ran back
Read more

Dementiability works!

 I don't know how many days I've been working with person A on doing some simple dementiability interventions, but it has been monumentally successful.  There are some things to consider however.  First of all, this model doesn't guarantee success with every person. They say that in their workshops. There is no 100% success model for all human beings. We all know that. Secondarily, I think the person I work with and I have a lot of characteristics in common. We both like consistency and familiarity, and we get nervous easily when things change that are out of our control. This has accounted for quite a lot of my success with her. I can't guess how it might have failed or needed something different on my part with anyone else.  Having said that, I have found success using the following: -Folding her own apron after every meal I assist her with. -Utilizing her background that I know about (in her medical profile) to bring activities that provide meaning and utility, encou
Read more