Of course, I started a new job, which has challenges of its own. The nursing population has changed in the last 5 years. I can remember going to a nursing home as a child with my preacher-daddy. It was scary then. I remember residents trying to grab me and yelling for help. As I grew up, I saw all of that change and I don't think it was only through my adult eyes. The government really began to find ways to fund and help long-term residential homes. Now, federal funding is helping families keep their loved ones home as long as they can with assistance provided. While I totally agree, it changes the nursing home population, and it really is end-of-life care in many places. I am just reevaluating my life and what I feel that I can realistically do. I spent two hours sitting with 2 residents on Friday while I had a roomful waiting for the next activity. There's so much to do, documentation, meetings, MDS, new admissions (we had 5 on Friday) and discharges (we had 3), room checks everyday which is basically doing what the aides don't do, picking up dirty diapers off the floor, changing out trash bags because housekeeping doesn't have time, filling up water pitchers with ice and water, checking call lights and this is only to name a few. I have 5 rooms and a check list of about 50 items. I can't do it all. The aides are frustrated. They bring them to me to take care of. The nurses don't have time. They bring them to me so they can pass meds. Administration is looking at the money and state regs and documentation, crossing all the I's and dotting the T's, it's gotta all look right on paper. Admissions is trying to keep census up. I haven't figured out what Social Services does because it seems I'm handling grievances, lost and stolen items, grief care. I guess I'm gonna seem to everyone to be the person who can't be satisfied.
May was busy. At the facility, we had Senior Citizens Day, Mother's Day Reception (it was huge), Nursing Home week with daily activities, Community Bingo, Memorial Day Cook-out. As a family, we went home to GA to celebrate my Y2K nephew's high school graduation. We enjoyed a great weekend with family and friends. There was Chad's birthday, Cora's pre-school graduation, Connor's Kindergarten program.
These are some of the photos from our Mother's Day Reception. I'm not allowed to share photos of our residents.
A volunteer group called "Tea with Someone Special" made all the paper tea cups for the cupcakes. We both put our decorations together. I was afraid of tacky, but it was beautiful!
They made hats for all the ladies.
A local florist made floral ice cream sundaes for our tables.
There are only a few photos of the kids that would download.
Yesterday enjoyed Connor and Cora. We happened to run into Belle, Elsa and Mauna at Chili's.
I think this must have been the real Belle. She was beautiful and so sweet to our Cora bug.
Everyday is filled with wonder in the eyes of this child.
Okay, the secret is almost out. At least, I think I can share with Blog Buddies. This little one is going to be a big sister. We will have two new babies before the end of this year. Christina and Chad are having a girl, Claire Grace. Christy and Troy are 12 weeks and we'll know in a few weeks what they are having.
God is Good all the time.
