What a beautiful and compassionate piece of writing Dan. I really loved it.
The advice you had of treating someone like your mother resonated with me. When I started my training in health my mum advised me to care for people like they were my nana, best piece of advice ever!
Well done Dan. I've known a number of people who have transitioned from creative or corporate careers into caring professions. Often at a substantial reduction in salary but they report it's been a boon to the fullness of their lives.
My 19 year old son is working his way through tertiary education as a kitchen hand in a nearby rest home. It's been a great job - predictable, relatively well organised. He'd probably be on minimum wage in conventional hospitality anyway but that can be quite demanding and irregular. He's come to appreciate two things. One is the lives of his co-workers. Nearly all of them are from the Phillipines or South Asia. They are often making the same per hour, or only a little more than he is but they are supporting whole families on that.
The second is a deeper understanding of aging. One of his jobs is to deliver supper to the rooms of those elderly who request it (this is often about 7pm). He's realised that some elderly have communication difficulties but can be quite mentally sharp otherwise. This rest home doesn't have specialist dementia care but there are still some residents a little confused. With those people he's found you can often build some sort of worthwhile relationship, even if he has to introduce himself each evening. Having some common ground of interest helps. Fortunately his own 90 year old grandmother (living independently in a different community) has introduced him to "The Chase" and so he has a sure-fire topic of conversation. Hey, - I bought it back to TV after all!
Thank you so much Quentin. That is a lovely story and it mirrors my own experience. Congratulations to your son, he sounds like a decent intelligent boy with a big heart. There is hope for the world after all.
I worked in this area. I reckon I can spot a goodie and Dan, you're one of them. People in this position ( you - caring for people who need care and who do care) give the greatest love of all IMHO
What a beautiful and compassionate piece of writing Dan. I really loved it.
The advice you had of treating someone like your mother resonated with me. When I started my training in health my mum advised me to care for people like they were my nana, best piece of advice ever!
Cheers Terri,
Really appreciate your comments.
Well done Dan. I've known a number of people who have transitioned from creative or corporate careers into caring professions. Often at a substantial reduction in salary but they report it's been a boon to the fullness of their lives.
My 19 year old son is working his way through tertiary education as a kitchen hand in a nearby rest home. It's been a great job - predictable, relatively well organised. He'd probably be on minimum wage in conventional hospitality anyway but that can be quite demanding and irregular. He's come to appreciate two things. One is the lives of his co-workers. Nearly all of them are from the Phillipines or South Asia. They are often making the same per hour, or only a little more than he is but they are supporting whole families on that.
The second is a deeper understanding of aging. One of his jobs is to deliver supper to the rooms of those elderly who request it (this is often about 7pm). He's realised that some elderly have communication difficulties but can be quite mentally sharp otherwise. This rest home doesn't have specialist dementia care but there are still some residents a little confused. With those people he's found you can often build some sort of worthwhile relationship, even if he has to introduce himself each evening. Having some common ground of interest helps. Fortunately his own 90 year old grandmother (living independently in a different community) has introduced him to "The Chase" and so he has a sure-fire topic of conversation. Hey, - I bought it back to TV after all!
Thank you so much Quentin. That is a lovely story and it mirrors my own experience. Congratulations to your son, he sounds like a decent intelligent boy with a big heart. There is hope for the world after all.
That's a beautiful story and well done you! I'm so glad those elderly people had you for that time in their lives.
Thanks Clare. You are kind. I definitely received much more than I could give.
I worked in this area. I reckon I can spot a goodie and Dan, you're one of them. People in this position ( you - caring for people who need care and who do care) give the greatest love of all IMHO