How far would you go for people in your care?

What every you feel good doing for other is great. I too do a lot for the Nursing Home that my step father is in and have no regrets by doing as much as the patients ask of me. I too know that one day I too might need others help. It takes a special person to do more than just expected by you. Tell your co-employees that maybe they are in the WRONG line of work. You have to love the people that you take care of and love the type of work you are doing.
YOU ARE EXTRA SPECIAL AND DO NOT CHANGE

Thank you, i do feel that i want to treat them as i want to be treated when i am in that possition. No task is too great for the comfort of our elderly, that could be our parent someone is caring for. Your comment does make me feel better,i was afraid no one felt the same way anymore.Again thank you tigerandjabber

I think that treating the elders you care for as you would want your loved ones to be treated (or yourself) is wonderful. It means that this is not just a job to you. Believe me, family members notice this type of person. It's what we all want when we have to place our loved ones in a nursing facility.
Carol

Paleena, you are a treasure. Carol is right, I notice those in the assisted living facility who go above and beyond the call of "duty". That is a gift and something planted within from our Creator. You bring comfort and peace to an elderly person, and you are right. What you dish out will be given back to you. You are never unseen and the love and compassion you provide never goes unnoticed. You are not alone in this, and as I thank you.... I'm sure the family thanks you as well.

When I worked as a nurse I loves to do extra things for my pts. I use to find out some very interesting things about-I remember reading an obit about one of our pts. and he had had a very interesting life and after that while giving pts. their bath I would start by asking what kind of work they did-once my manager said how do you find out all this information about people-I said I talk to them-one time I got in TROUBLE because I made a cup of tea for a pt. after my shift was over. You do not see many employees in a nursing home these days going beond what they need to do now that my husband will be staying in the nursing home I plan to stop and at least talk to the pts. actually a few weeks ago an old lady asked me to roll her down to the desk and I did and after I heard a nurse say WHO BROUGHT HER DOWN HERE-i did not fess up, Paleena I wish you worked at the nursing home the husband is in I would give you a big hug.

Austin, that is so awesome to hear! Unfortunately too many people in this industry look for the check, and want to go no further. I always treasure those who are not agitated by my asking questions or go out of their way to love on my loved one. Because of those special workers a crew would be blessed as a thank you. Sometimes my appreciate gift would make others think twice about how they work. Thank you for doing the extras. Maybe you need to go out of your way to find the specific staff caring for your husband, give him/her a hug and laugh and say "I'm so sorry." with a little wink.

LOL, on the bringing her down to the desk!! Silence truly is golden!

Dear Paleena, I agree with mitzi, that you are a treasure. My Dad has to be in a Nursing Home, due to his condition, and some of the Caregivers there treat him very well. So we are grateful for what you do. As well, the ladies on this thread make the world a nicer place. What a blessing you are!

Thank you secretsister...........

I was thinking about a time my Dad was in a home and his roomate was very ill last stages of life and his caretaker came in and she layed sort of over him and said his name quietly and hugged him. It was so sweet and comforting to see I don't think I'll ever forget that. He passed away not long after. Some people are so special.

Paleena, God bless you for your sense of compassion and living by the Golden Rule for those entrusted to your care in long-term care settings. It sure would be reassuring to family members like me if more long-term care staff were as compassionate as you appear to be as evidenced by the considerable thought and sincerity of your posted question.

In our work lives, regardless of the industry in which we may work, there are always a few of our co-workers who want us to "dummy- down" to the level of average, or, sub-standard performance that they have chosen to deliver to their customers and to their employer. In my opinion, that is all about peer pressure, and some root of bitterness being allowed to grow in those who seek to curtail superior resident care by their colleagues.

I do not work in long-term care, but you better believe that I am caring for my Mom in my home with the little touches that mean a lot to her. Rubbing her feet each night with lotion, just as I do when I assist her with her daily shower is a little detail that I know she used to do for herself when she could bend, stretch, and reach that far without being physically uncomfortable or in pain.

Keep caring and I do love your sharing, Paleena. If only the long-term care industry had Paleena clones as far as the eye could see, I would be one happy family member! As far as I am concerned even one uncaring staff person is one uncaring staff person too many in an industry entrusted with the care and well-being of those who are most vulnerable and dependent in our society. Your sharing made my Sunday! Hugs to you.

Reading this, I'm remembering when my uncle was dying in the nursing home. He'd been difficult to care for, I know. But as I sat with him early that morning, holding his hand and stroking his arm and talking to him, his main CNA came on duty. She was crying as she came in, and when my uncle died, I was the one comforting her! What a blessing to know there are people like that caring for our loved ones when we can't be there all the time. I've never forgotten that moment.
Carol

So true, there are many whom keep it to themselves to, we should call them our silent angels. We are fortunate and blessed to have them, they know who they are, thank you. As i do the same. God knows who we are.

Thank you and to you for caring for your mother, and i still and always care for anyone with love and dignity as they all deserve.
I absolutly love my job and wouldn't do anything else.

Thank you, and whatever we do for them keep doing, we will be rewarded in the end, i am a firm beleiver in that.

Reminds me of the beloved poem of looking at the little old lady in a nursing home, "...what do you see, when you look at me?" There are those, unlike you, 195Austin, and Paleena, and so many other caring long-term care staff, who fail to see the person, the Spirit, and who fail to afford diginity and respect to those who are entrusted to their care. You are blessed now, and, as Paleena's most recent comment suggests, there is such a thing as karma. God bless you both for caring. I don't have to have someone in a nursing home to be touched by your sharing and caring. It is sufficient for me to know that one day I may need to place a loved one in a nursing home to know just how valuable you are to someone like me.

! WOW!

Well I want to let those know who may be feeling guilty from all these posts, don't. My parent's are in assisted living. Love takes on many forms and not everyone is meant to do the 24/7 care giving thing. For those of you who are nurses... thank you for helping those of us who cannot do it. Thank you for extending our love.

I was fortunate enough to be able to put my parent's in a great community. Also thanks to my father for providing the finances to do so. I still cannot be in the same room with my mother for more than 10 minutes. But I never fail to check on her health, get reports from the aides, talk with staff and observe interactions with staff and clients.

I thank God for the staff that loves on my parents. That the staff is able to lovingly distract them from the things I find very stressful. I do show I care by laughing with the staff. Asking how their day is and listen to their frustrations. Why? Because I can relate to them. My love for my parents is very different from many of you, but what I do is never forget my parents regardless of how difficult they are.

Thank you to those who do it 24/7 and for those whose job it is to provide the 24/7 for others who cannot. My gratitude is definitely endless and my prayers abound. Thank you!

Wasn't there a time when nurses gave backrubs as a matter of course? When my mom fell resulting in 3 trips to the ER (2 for nausea), I'd rub her feet, and my niece did Reiki on her. My mom was attended to, but not as a person. She was a check list. There was almost no concern for reducing pain or discomfort, but a lot of concern for getting to the next item on checklist and for entering data on computer. When she was well enough, I bought her a half hour massage for $60. Sure in a nursing home, the staff is getting through their to do list for the day. Maybe they do things FOR the patient, on behalf of the patient, but there is a big difference when you REALLY include the person. Sure a little back kneading can be snuck in here and there, and it will make some smiles happen. Keep it up!