MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 - SENIOR WORK

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 - SENIOR WORK

(The image is NOT the facility where I am working - just a random image on the Internet)

Tomorrow marks one year that I have worked at the Senior Independent Living Center.  It actually comes as a bit of a surprise that I have lasted a year - and enjoyed it!!!

First - if you don’t read this blog regularly, you know I don’t have a television (okay, not true - I do HAVE a television - a friend gave me one - and I have never gotten it connected to stations!!!).  So I need something to fill my time.  I try to walk five miles every day.  I write every day.  I am on my computer (and phone) every day.  But, my nights were sometimes depressing.  

Second - while I volunteer and do other activities (bridge, driving seniors who no longer drive, granny basketball, music), the idea of doing something for a little money appeals to me.  Yes, inflation has hit; yes, my electric bill is high from running my air conditioner; yes, I’d like to give more to my charities; yes, there are some things I’d like; so yes, I’d like some money.

Third - I don’t want to work full time, I tried and couldn’t find a teaching job with one class in math or information systems, so I wanted a part-time job.

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I’m actually not quite sure how this company found me.  I didn’t apply, but I did fill out an online application - and applied for a similar job (and was told I didn’t meet their expectations).  I got an email asking if I was interested and if could I come for an interview - I emailed back - ‘sure’.

I interviewed - and got the job.

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I am a “Personal Care Assistant”. I mostly remind residents to take their medications.  I am not a nurse (although I have told some people that I am a doctor).  

I started with three evenings a week - Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday - generally from 3:30 to 8:00.  I have been as much as five evenings a week (throwing in Monday and Friday nights) - keeping Tuesday night free for symphony rehearsals and Saturdays free for concerts and Oktoberfest.  

In February, an ice storm threatened to close Georgetown and the surrounding area down, so two of us volunteered to stay overnight and work both the evening and morning shifts. That was interesting.  They had an empty room and I got a cot and my co-worker got the bed.  (I later said it was a leftover World War II cot, and she said the bed was not at all comfortable).  

 I have done mornings only a few times. 

I think I am a (small) revenue-generating aspect of the business.  Although this is a non-profit group, it does need income to cover expenses.  I don’t know the data, but I’m guessing that I probably make the company maybe $20 to$40 for an evening of service.  (I could be way off on that!!!)

The revenue (I think) comes from the families of the residents - who know that Mom (or Dad) is a little forgetful and having somebody stop by their room and remind them to take their medications (and stay there until they do take their meds) keeps them on track for medications plus gives Mom (or Dad) a daily visit from a human being.  (Note - probably 80% or more of our residents are female)

Being honest (and I try to be honest).  This wasn’t my training, this wasn’t my background.  I was a professor - my environment was college students - not 90-year-old people.  So, the surprise that they hired me was real.  

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I shadowed an existing caregiver for a week then I took over.  There was one person I didn’t want to serve.  Not that she was scary - no, she is loving and very nice, but because of what I needed to do.  She needed to use a nebulizer and I would have to clean and disinfect that device.  What if I got it wrong?  She was one of the original residents and has the walking trail around the campus named after her.  I have helped her a few times over the year, but she does have a regular care assistant.

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When I interviewed, I told the hiring manager I was a transgender woman (at times it is very obvious - not many 6 foot 2 inch ladies running around in the senior living facility.  Most accepted me.  One lady called me over to her table after dinner and asked me point blank why I was becoming a woman.  (I already was a woman).  

I also asked for the week before Thanksgiving off when I interviewed so I could go to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving.  That was approved before I started and that was good as I think many people have to cover my shifts for me!!!

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In the next few days, I’ll write about my experiences and observations of working in a senior facility.  I will also write of working in the memory care unit (aka - dementia/Alzheimer's unit).

Yes, it has been a good year - at times a great year and at times I was on the verge of quitting.  

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I am also “paying back” (or is it “paying forward”).  My parents were in assisted living for the last years of their life and my sister regularly visited them and helped them.  I now understand the great things she did for my wonderful parents.  (I was too busy with my own life - and my own ego)!!

And, it gave me insights into what might be ahead of me - now at age 75 - will I end up in senior housing?  Will I end up in assisted living or in the memory care unit?  

And, even more, I learned that LOVE WINS!!

Karen White, September 26, 2022, ©