Just a quick update from the Fabulous Life of a Nursing Home Physical Therapist *Editor's Note: traveling physical therapist*
We had a "band" of sorts come play for the residents today. It was a hodgepodge group made up of musicians and vocalists that were just slightly younger and more agile than the current nursing home residents. *Note the emphasis on slightly* Why is it that the people who come and sing at old folks homes are pretty old themselves? Any ideas?
I was a little concerned about their song choices though. Some of them were fine: Yankee Doodle (who doesn't love that), "You're a Grand 'Ole Flag" (Taught a patient or two the hand motions for that classic); But there were some others that I thought should be discarded: "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" and "When We All Get to Heaven".... REally? "When we all get to heaven"? Some of these people are knock-knock-knocking on death's door, I don't think they need an inspirational gospel song to push them through that final barrier into eternal rest! I was concerned that with all the suggestions of getting to the Promised Land that there may not be any patients left to treat! Fortunately, I underestimated the power of a non-working hearing aid.
I've begun categorizing my days at the 'ole home based on the number of dry heaves I have in a day. For example, today was not a good day. I had 4 dry heaves. They all had the same cause, but I had four of them. Well, it was also a stinky day *PUN intended* because a co-worker who shall remain nameless (because I can't remember her name, so I'll call her "Ugly Lipstick Woman") unabashedly stole my Sonic drink, left her nasty lip stick prints on the edge, and left me with nothing to wet my whistle! Ugly Lipstick Woman arrived in the rehab room in the afternoon with a medium Sonic drink; I had a large. For those of my readership familiar with the various drink sizes at Sonic, there should be NO confusion between a large and a medium. Adding insult to injury, her lip stick color really was ugly.
Wondering which of my patients I'll see in Heaven,
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2 comments:
Just thought I'd break the mold and let you know my mom used to work at a nursing home. And I play piano. She put those two together and got one crabby high schooler, dragging herself to the nursing home to play songs on an out-of-tune piano. I didn't exactly appreciate what was going on back then.
Fast forward to college and Phi Lamb, where a group of us went to play at the Garrison Center. I was picked to bring the guitar and the tunes. I wasn't sure what the older folk would like. Amongst other songs, I printed out "I'll Fly Away" even though I thought it was too suggestive (much like "When We All Get to Heaven!") Turns out, old folks love it when you play "I'll Fly Away" five times and if you're in Lubbock -- they love it when you sing Tech's fight song five times as well. Make sure to request those songs next time!
Ha ha! this is funny. what's the point of lipstick anyway? it only incriminates you when it comes to drinks.
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