Current mood:

awake

Peace of Mind Piece of Cake
Wednesday I started work at The Autumn, Rachel's senior care facility. In the days coming up to it I felt like it was a mistake to say I'd take the job, and part of me still feels like I'm in over my head, but I think I can handle 6-12 months there if my back holds out. I feel really white because all the nurses (at least the ones I've met) are Philipino and talk amongst themselves in Tagalog. I need Billy to come and interpret for me. They're really nice though, and absolutely know what they're doing.

Today was my first weekend shift and full day, and jeebus I'm tired. Every other day I've shown up while the other caregiver on duty was finishing up the sandwiches and soup the seven residents have for dinner, leaving me to set them all properly along with their juice and milk, and sometimes coffee. Then there's helping the one who had a stroke eat dinner because he can't use his body well and bringing dinner to the two that like to eat in their rooms. Then turning down the beds for four of them, doing dishes and loading the dishwasher, making sure everybody is medicated, then helping stroke guy to the bathroom to change his diaper and get him ready for bed and then actually getting him into bed, then doing the same for crotchety hospice guy who's twisted around like Steven Hawking. Then cleaning the kitchen, emptying the dishwasher, and giving grampa (who is 98 and despite missing a leg, is still remarkably aware and strong in the arms) a snack.

That's all in two and a half hours.

On this delightful weekend shift, I got there at 7:30 and had to make pancakes, with different residents having different preferences for number. Also had to fry and scramble a few eggs, get coffee for everybody, and basically do everything I just listed but times three. Also waking a couple of the residents and helping grampa out of bed and into his clothes (did I mention that he can actually help when we move him to his wheelchair?), and doing a few loads of laundry. Luckily I had a two-hour break which gave me time to pick up Nigel and take him to Randall's, where I caught a quick nap before going back for the afternoon grind.

Really it isn't so bad. I've yet to bathe anybody in the shower and the other caregivers do the heavy lifting when we transfer, so it's mostly a lot of housekeeping and reminding. As dad puts it, it beats working in a Starbucks and it's training for medical interpreting.

I'll be happy when I give my two weeks' notice though, whenever that may be.