It was a little old lady in a nursing home. Crazy, huh? No one wanted to get near her; the staff, it seemed, had no choice.
I think that when she was admitted to the care center, her family must have celebrated their freedom. I think they possibly even gleefully snickered behind our backs. I had agreed to temporarily be the interim activity director while the administrator searched for a new hire.
I had volunteered at this nursing home for close to five years at the time, and thought I knew all of the residents. I was being encouraged (begged) to accept the position permanently; I was considering the offer.
There was one resident room that I had been told to stay away from. As a volunteer, I had done so. As a staffer, I had to do assessments on all residents quarterly. I noticed this resident was way overdue.
Her interaction with other residents was zero, Her participation in group activities was zero. One-on-one planned activities were charted as refused. Outside socializing and visits from family and friends never occurred.
This individual needed socialization. She didn't even come out of her room for meals. She had never participated in her care plan meetings, and not one trip to the in-house beauty shop!
With the determination of a newbie, I prepared for her assessment. Armed with exciting and new ideas, I went to her room. I lightly knocked on the door, no response.
It was just before lunch and I knew they would have her up and ready for her meal, I knocked louder. Still no answer so I barely cracked the door and was preparing to say, “knock knock, can I please come in?”
I got the “kno” out of my mouth and heard her shriek “What the fuck do you want?!” I almost peed down my leg. I hadn't known what to expect, but it hadn't been that!
I boldly entered the room and firmly began telling her my name and my intent. No was not an answer I would accept.
But, “Who in the fucking hell do you think you are, coming into my room without my permission and thinking your soft ass can tell me....,”well, you have the picture. I may be writing “refused” in her chart after all.
Her shrill and spit-loaded yelling had me almost out the door. I persisted; I tried the polite, friendly but firm approach. I tried the “it is state law that I do this assessment approach.” She screamed,“help me, help me, the fucking devil is in here trying to kill me.” at the top of her lungs.
I was getting offended and starting to get ticked. I am not the devil! I tried to convince her of that, she started screaming rape! Strangely, no one came in the door to see what was happening.
I informed her that I would give her a chance to calm down and then I would return at 1pm for her assessment. In truth, I was the only one needing to calm down, I was shaking so hard my knees knocked together as I left the room.
Behind me, the shrieking contiued, accusing me of doing terribly gross things to her. Ahead of me, the dining room was filled with calm residents and the staff seemed unphased as they went about their meal time duties.
Not one person looked up as I walked by red faced, sweat pouring off my brow, and tears in my eyes. I guess they had heard it all before.
The evil thing in that forbidden room and I had achieved only 2 things during our meeting: She had successfully refused my assessment. My decision was made, I would not be accepting the offer of this job.
Username: ofansleaks