Joys of working with the elderly. Anyone with a job working with kids almost always come home with funny stories they want to share. I know parents and teachers who love retelling a funny or endearing incident. Well, I’ve realized as a caregiver to the elderly, that I have the same desire… the share stories! Here are some of my experiences with my job as a caregiver:
One lady in our home reminds me of the old woman from the movie The Notebook.” She doesn’t know where she is or why she is here. Every night she gets concerned about going home and it turns to anxiousness if we try to remind her she lives here. So instead, we assure her that we have an extra bed here and she is welcome to stay in our own home for the night. If you put her in front of a piano with music, she will play beautifully and without fault. She loves music and used to play professionally. On her bad nights she is crying and confused and I have found that singing to her or telling her my corny puns/jokes will help calm her. On her good nights, she is laughing and giggling and so happy. She is a dear.
Ok, I know I shouldn’t have favorites, but there is a sweet old man who has won my heart. He cannot do anything for himself. I get to change him, feed him meals, put him to bed at night and just generally take care of him. He doesn’t speak, except he says “yeah” to pretty much anything you ask him. He smiles a lot and loves holding people’s hands. Sometimes when he’s upset, he’ll try to formulate words, but it comes out as grunts. From the very first day I worked here, I was drawn to him. I know he can’t respond or understand me, but I have felt compelled to pray for him. When I put him to bed at night I often speak to him and tell him he’s special and Jesus loves him. I pray over him and hold his hand. I don’t know why I feel this special connection, but I feel led by the Spirit. I have this crazy hope that someday I will meet him in heaven and he will come find me and give me a great big warm hug, something he can’t do now. Sounds crazy, right? The other night, I had a special moment with him. I tucked him in for the night and held his hand and told him goodnight. He looked at me and very clearly said ‘goodnight’ back to me!!! I was so surprised and delighted. He is my joy and I am blessed that God has called me to take care of him.
|
