I spent a lot of time with the over 60 population when I was working elder abuse cases, and I have to agree with the social worker that you went WAY far above and beyond what is typical. And not only that, but your ideas are SO CREATIVE and interesting. I don't know that I'd have thought to do half the things you came up with. There are some other types of work you can do that don't involve caretaking and can likely be done in a way that keeps your performing work as your primary career, if you're interested. There's usually a significant demand for investigators with Adult Protective Services. They mostly just check out complaints as they come in and do home visits and write reports. Another option is activities direction for nursing home facilities. I used to see a lot of folks doing that part time - just organizing outings, games, or classes at all levels of care for residential facilities. With your history with transcription and ability to be pragmatic though, I think the investigation job could be a good fit.
I am also here for all the glow in the dark petunia content. SO COOL. Please do not chill out about it.
Wow, good on ya for working elder abuse cases. That can't have been easy :(
If what I did is above and beyond, that is sad :( Of course I wouldn't expect people to buy stuff for residents/patients, but at least bringing some playing cards or coloring books or reading to people, I mean reading out loud imo is a huge nostalgia factor (who wasn't read to at least once when they were a child?) AND keeps people entertained so that's always going to be an option I'll bring.
If I did anything at all I'd want to do companionship. From what I understand APS investigators need training, I've already got massive student debt from two degrees and would be hesitant to get another in something that I'm not really interested in doing. I don't want to study all of the horrible stuff that people do to the elderly. Neither do I want to change their diapers or wash their bedsores. Or coordinate a gaggle of them to do an activity that only half would actually engage in, meanwhile barely getting to say "Good morning" to any of them because I'm supposed to be engaging a room of 20 people.
Basically if I did anything I'd want to do what I did at TSOLife, except in-person: Listen to people who want to talk about their life and the things that had meaning to them; engage in conversation or walks outside; play games or go on outings with them; and ultimately give residents face-to-face time ONE-ON-ONE or maybe at largest in a group of five.
I guess what I'd both look for myself and also want to provide, is meaningful connection and friendship, something that I think a lot of elderly people do not get to enjoy when they have a rotating selection of visitors who only stay for an hour or two and are replaced by someone else the next week. What makes someone's life experiences meaningful, and gives them weight and value, is when someone will listen attentively and really care. From what I can tell, activities coordinators and abuse investigators and RNs don't have time to provide that, nor is it really their job.
Anyway, I haven't seen a job that exists to cover this emotional void, which is why it seems to get covered by volunteers and by an app like Papa Pals. That said, I am working with Steve the social services guy at the place I went to in Orlando, who is putting me in touch with the local case manager, who is the one who schedules Papa Pal visits. I want to ask her if I could just work part time for the facility, solely doing visits on a rotating schedule so that residents would see me consistently and get that personal connection and attention that they deserve. I don't think it'll happen but I do have an "in" right now to at least ask.
Anyway thank you for the suggestions and encouragement, and know that I did consider those roles, but they don't seem to line up with the need I'm looking to cover in that industry.
I am also here for all the glow in the dark petunia content. SO COOL. Please do not chill out about it.
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If what I did is above and beyond, that is sad :( Of course I wouldn't expect people to buy stuff for residents/patients, but at least bringing some playing cards or coloring books or reading to people, I mean reading out loud imo is a huge nostalgia factor (who wasn't read to at least once when they were a child?) AND keeps people entertained so that's always going to be an option I'll bring.
If I did anything at all I'd want to do companionship.
From what I understand APS investigators need training, I've already got massive student debt from two degrees and would be hesitant to get another in something that I'm not really interested in doing. I don't want to study all of the horrible stuff that people do to the elderly. Neither do I want to change their diapers or wash their bedsores. Or coordinate a gaggle of them to do an activity that only half would actually engage in, meanwhile barely getting to say "Good morning" to any of them because I'm supposed to be engaging a room of 20 people.
Basically if I did anything I'd want to do what I did at TSOLife, except in-person: Listen to people who want to talk about their life and the things that had meaning to them; engage in conversation or walks outside; play games or go on outings with them; and ultimately give residents face-to-face time ONE-ON-ONE or maybe at largest in a group of five.
I guess what I'd both look for myself and also want to provide, is meaningful connection and friendship, something that I think a lot of elderly people do not get to enjoy when they have a rotating selection of visitors who only stay for an hour or two and are replaced by someone else the next week. What makes someone's life experiences meaningful, and gives them weight and value, is when someone will listen attentively and really care. From what I can tell, activities coordinators and abuse investigators and RNs don't have time to provide that, nor is it really their job.
Anyway, I haven't seen a job that exists to cover this emotional void, which is why it seems to get covered by volunteers and by an app like Papa Pals. That said, I am working with Steve the social services guy at the place I went to in Orlando, who is putting me in touch with the local case manager, who is the one who schedules Papa Pal visits. I want to ask her if I could just work part time for the facility, solely doing visits on a rotating schedule so that residents would see me consistently and get that personal connection and attention that they deserve. I don't think it'll happen but I do have an "in" right now to at least ask.
Anyway thank you for the suggestions and encouragement, and know that I did consider those roles, but they don't seem to line up with the need I'm looking to cover in that industry.
Reply
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