Not Just A Job

It is with profound gratitude flowing from my heart that I honour those people who work in health care for the love of caring for others. Specifically, men and women engaging in caring for the aging population.

One day last Spring I met a guy named Andy who owns his own office janitorial company and normally works at night.  He explained to me that he likes to visit with seniors and so he has kept an on-call position at a nursing home so that he can still work with people who remind him of his grandparents.

The seniors facilities in my city are full of people with similar stories, the only difference is that they work full time and not just once in a while like Andy.  The common link between janitor and care aid is the love for the residents. This was obvious last week when I brought my father back to the care home where he lives.  Dad had been away for several weeks in hospital and when I returned him to the same room they had held for him since his emergency departure, he received a hero's welcome!  From the lady who works in the laundry, to the cleaning staff, the care aids, the RNs, the activity workers, right up to the top brass, Dad was greeted with such love and genuine care that my heart sang.  My father was a bit overwhelmed --but in a good way--and quickly felt at ease even though he could barely remember staying there prior to the hospital stay.

As one of my former clients stated "Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey knows no one". A very apt description when you think of a zoo with everyone peering in the primate house and getting super excited by what they see.  That's kind of how Dad must have felt, but the good thing is, he's not in a cage and it doesn't matter that he couldn't remember the names of the employees. The main thing is that they remembered him and were happy to see him come "home".

My family and I are so fortunate to have our patriarch in a place where he is respected and encouraged  to participate or not participate in the daily programs. If he wants to take a nap, they leave him to it.  If he wants to join in and sing with the music therapist or ring the bells in the bell ringer group, he is welcomed. Bar none though, his favorite activity which he doesn't bow out of is the afternoon ice cream social which happens one afternoon a week.

I can sleep at night knowing my father is in good hands with people who really love their jobs. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices.  I bought a dozen roses and asked that they be placed in the staff room today and included a card that said how much they all are appreciated. Not really enough considering what they do, but a small gesture on my part will let them know that their spirit of service to others is what makes this world a better place.