Today, my personal challenge was to bring some joy into at least one person's life.
My job is a Personal Support Worker. This is to go into people's homes, help them bathe, and get ready for the day: dress, grooming, breakfast, etc. Most of my clients are over 80 years old, usually very physically challenged. Sometimes, depending on what is going on in my client's life, this can be a challenge with people who find it hard to even get out of the house. Arthritis is acting up, depression sets in, family disappointments. Sometimes it is hard to say the right thing, and sometimes you can only be quiet and listen.
Today was a good day. I was able to encourage my clients, and even made one laugh, and one other smile! One lady is going through a deep depression, and wants to sleep all the time. I was able to cajole her into wanting her bath, and even dressing afterward! Many times she likes to just put on a clean nightdress and go back to bed! With another lady, I was able to tell her a humorous story, that made her laugh, that made me feel good when I know she is in pain most of the time.
Some days, it is hard to help people see humour; the pain is too bad, they might be just too depressed with their own physical situation to even want to hear. My personal feeling is that through humour, people can feel hope for the future, and lets face it. When you have lost hope, you have lost all.
Have a GREAT day!
Phoebe
1 comment:
Sometimes it's good just to be quiet and listen to what's being said. Many people, especially the elderly need to talk, but more importantly, to be listened to.
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