It's been a busy couple of weeks, mainly because of the new job plus a couple of orientations I needed to attend on my days "off". But now I'm all orientated and established with a true day off. So, aahhhh.
I don't want to blog too much about the nursing home, it's just been at the forefront lately. As I've gotten to know both residents and coworkers, a few fun things are emerging
- Three of us worker bees in the department are full on adults - I mean we have kids of our own, have completed college (and actually we all have grad degrees), have paid or are paying mortgages, and have various other adulthood characteristics, like the fact that we read the news...
- The majority of coworkers are in their late teens and twenties - college kids and even some high schoolers. I'm starting to see some truth in the idea that I was hired to be among the other two "den mothers", which is fine by me.
- There are typically around 80 residents at any time, of which the majority are women. Our oldest is one of the many Betty's. She's 98, and we're thinking she's going to outlive everyone currently in house.
- Most of the residents are actually quite cognitive, but deal with various physical limitations. Only a few are obviously in the throes of dementia or memory loss.
A couple of young girl coworkers told me how they've received unsolicited advice regarding sex and birth control.
"Back when I was young, we'd just pull out. But you girls have lots more options!"
OMG, Vivian??
"I got a diaphragm, hoo boy, thank goodness for those!"
Adelaide!!
By the way, this prompted me to research out of curiosity:
"... the diaphragm had become the most frequently prescribed form of birth control in America by the 1930s"
ANYWAY, to be sure, no one has given me advice on birth control or sex. I usually get tips on how to stave off various effects of aging, as learned in hindsight I suppose. They see me as a near peer!
One of the orientations I attended included a short presentation on dementia and resident rights. The speaker told of a study where each resident was asked if they would like to remain where they were - in a long term care facility - or go back to being 16 again and have a do-over.
An overwhelming majority wanted to stay where they were.
I too would not want to go back to being 16. Would you? Have another age/timeframe to which you would like to return?
In other news, Wolfgang has reminded me that Inktober is once again upon us.
I plan to participate again, but I'm not going to stress out about getting all 31 prompts completed. I haven't done much art play at all since... last Inktober? I think the process of moving to another city, house selling and buying, and then dealing with the pandemic short circuited me a bit, and I veered away from my art hobby. Maybe Inktober 2020 will get me back on that track.
In other other news, I expect my partial tooth any day to replace that mean bum tooth I got rid of last year.
I refuse to call it a denture.
6 comments:
No,to calling it that because if you call it a denture you are a near-peer of theirs!! How funny, "we'd just pull out" like that works effectively. oh my goodness that is a damn hoot. I wouldn't really wish to be 16 again but boy I could do it better this time around. But then again compared to today, I may take it. But in all honesty 40s, the entire decade was the last great decade. It is all downhill now. I would give a lot for us both being 40. :-) Hmmm....happy, happy, happy thoughts.
Peggy, I see or hear about people freaking out over turning 40. Ah, to be 40! In the meantime, at least most of my teeth are still good to go.
I’m just entering my 50s, and if 2020 has set the stage for how my 50s are going to be then I wanna go back! (Or maybe fast forward??)
I, too, loved my 40s. I would NOT want to go back to 16, 20, or even 30.
I’m impressed you continue to blog, even with all the changes going on in your life. I read them all, but am usually too tired or overwhelmed to comment. Visiting here is still a great part of my day... so I’m glad you continue to share your stories. :)
SR300, aw shucks. I guess blogging is one thing I can (so far!) control in this weird year. I appreciate your visits!
And I agree, I enjoyed my 40s. If I HAD to go back, stop there. Welcome to the 50s table!
If it makes you feel any better I have about 6 crowns in my mouth, or maybe more. Actually I don't know how many. I went to the dentist last year and pointed to the tooth that was hurting. He said "The crown?" I didn't realise it was, I thought it was my own tooth. Geez I'm getting old.
LLC Joe, I recently replaced an old tooth with a gold crown - as it should be.
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