(no subject)

[correctiveshoes621]

Work Stuff..

Still recovering from last night..Lawd!-- and another one on the menu tonight..I have to work with Teh Bitch, too..but, PFFT! -- I am sure I can keep her busy on A Wing, as they have been really needy, lately. I did Mizz Jackie's shower for her this morning, so she will not have to do that..

Mizz J inspires the hellll out of me -- I *LOVE* doing her care; as, she renews my purpose, as corny as that sounds. A tiny, spidery snip of a woman; she is so contracted on her right side, that it is impossible for her to straighten out her leg and arm. She can no longer see, really..is legally blind, and her hearing is just about nil. BUT SHE REFUSES TO LAY DOWN AND TAKE IT..and insists on tranferring and toileting herself. Painstakingly, slowly..but, she does it. We have a kind of wordless communication -- a lot of miming..and when I 'get it' -- whatever she is trying to tell me -- she lights up like a Christmas tree, delighted. I love her, and she lets me know it is reciprocated. NO MATTER WHAT -- EACH MORNING (no matter which wing I work on), I GOT TO GET 'MY JACKIE-LOVE' ON THE WAY OUT THE DOOR -- A BIG HUG. We make a smooth team, and get her done in no time flat. This girl has a gorgeous, thick head of hair, and I loved being able to take the time to wash/blowdry/style it..making sure she has her thick glasses on to 'approve my handiwork', heheh. She just had a pacemaker put in..and was in the hospital for TWO WEEKS, scaring the hell out of me. SO GLAD to see her back.

Her 'thing' is COFFEE -- mine, too -- and she will park her chair RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BREAK ROOM, and ambush anyone coming out -- waving her cup at them. It was coooool as shit to be able to do her last thing this morning, so I could get her her coffee (I would pull the moon from the sky for her, and she knows it) -- and grab a sitdown and have a cup right along with her.

We clinked our paper cups, like it was champagne. And let me tell ya, it tasted better than any champagne could.

The downside...My man is getting worse, and just lay in his bed, making these horrible groans and whimpers. He was out in his chair in the hallway (wearing his jaunty hat, a gown, sweatpants, and one shoe --!) when I came on the floor -- and was so damned confused. I got him to bed with a promise of coffee and cookies, but he didn't even want them. He was nodding off in his chair, and I was afraid he would fall forward. He would not let me wash him up. I am *determined* to do it tonight, so that day shift doesn't think I don't care, you know? I can try to just do a bedbath, although he would not let me do one last night. He needs a transfusion badly..but the family has to give the go-ahead..I doubt they will.

Mrs. R passed away..and I understand now how it can be a blessing..she was in so much pain -- I would try to rub her neck to get her to sleep, but it did little good. Even morphine didn't work in the end. Mrs. M did, too..and it was coming, and the family was prepared for it. Bless them both, as they are in a better place now.

Comments

[bratqueen8.livejournal.com]

I used to work in Long-Term Care too. I did Physical Therapy, well, until I was permanently injured in the job. But I loved work with old folks: most appreciate the smallest kind gesture, alot will tell you stories that really give you pause, and then there's the one that are a bit ornery, but you can win them over.

I worked six years in acute care then was hired by Sundance before the big medicare changes took place. Then Genesis (Genesucks) outbid Sundance for the contract of Victoria Manor and I had to be hired by Genesucks or get laid off. I didn't like G even before I worked for them - heard bad things. Sundance (rehab division of Sunhealth) was people-oriented. Good company to work for, but they ended up getting screwed financially. Genesucks treats employees like machinery, you're a number not a name. Due to this attidude, I ended up injured. And yep, I'm sueing thier miserable asses!

I can relate to your stories, though. I always got along with CNAs I worked with cause I never held a holier than thou attitude like most Physical Therapists. I've always felt CNAs work the hardest out of everybody in health care. I used to hang with CNAs and go to thier parties and stuff. I've been out of tough with them since I was injured and now working for the USPS.

[indiwise.livejournal.com]

>>>But I loved work with old folks: most appreciate the smallest kind gesture, alot will tell you stories that really give you pause, and then there's the one that are a bit ornery, but you can win them over.

Amen. And I *know* what you mean re: Teh Attitude. Pfft. I hang out with mostly Housekeeping/Kitchen/Laundry..but there are a few nurses who are cool as can be. Hehehehhe, I never fit in *anywhere*, so who cares?

I hope you WIN, btw...that is terrible. I HATE that it is run like that...allllll about money. That is why they just installed the new RITA system computers...twice the work...just so they can have instantly sent records of levels of care.....IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY, AND THEY TOLD US THAT, FLAT-OUT. We were actually told to 'enter the worst' of the residents' behavior/moods..Now, I can see if it is to get care/psych meds, etc...but no. This is about money. I hate it, 'cos I feel like I am ratting them out, you know?

IE: If resident A is pissed off because she did not receive her nightly snack of peanut butter crackers, 'cos second shift was too busy/forgot...that has to be entered as 'angry'? Hell, no...won't do it.

I would be angry, too...especially considering what they pay to freakin' live there....

[bratqueen8.livejournal.com]

Yup. What I really hated was the HMO's kicking residents out if they didn't "show improvement" after a week of therapy! A res. can get any where from 15 min to 2 hours of therapy a day. 15 if they are doing poorly - not achieving goals as fast to make insurance comps. happy. 2 hours if they do well. Does that make sense? Not to me. The people that really need the therapy get shafted while those who do well get more and more. Sometimes we had to fudge our documentation as well: if Mrs A ambulated 50 ft instead of 20 ft, I had to say she did the 20 cause the HMO's might stop paying cause she's doing too well. I hated that. Lying on a legal record!

*shakes head*

And those they've stopped paying for don't have anybody to take care of them at home. The elderly should NOT be on HMO's, unless they're independently wealthy.