Tuesday woes | Arthritis Information

 

Morning all. I started my new job yesterday and found out I'm not as great for this job as I thought. I started work for a company that caters to the elderly who live at home mostly and need some help or just to be there while other family is working or not in the home. Anyway, my assignment was pretty clear cut, fix food, help pick up a little and take him to visit his wife at the nursing home, take him to his chiropractor app. First off, I see a note from his daughter that she would like the front bathtub cleaned with comet. Really? Not a maid service I work for. I was standing in for his regular attendant. Sounds like she does more than this job requires.  And that tub isn't even used by the client. Deep breaths. So we did breakfast and visited a little and off to the doctors and onto the nursing home. His wife has parkinsons and I don't know what else, but she can no longer walk or talk. Sad, very sad. The thing was, I had a flashback or something.  A close girlfriend of mine ended up in a nursing home after jumping off a freeway overpass and became a quadrapaligic in an instant. I was there from day one and became her aide. That was 20 years ago. I used to stop in the restrooms and splash my face with water and compose myself everytime I went over, because I felt faint, every single time. So yesterday w/ in minutes of arriving at the nursing home, I had to excuse myself and go splash water on my face and put my head between my knees for a bit.  I'm so upset with myself. I thought this was going to be the perfect job for me. Turns out, I was bored silly and then literally faint. I don't want to be a quitter, but this isn't for me. I had even thought of applying at a nursing home before I got this job. Sad when you don't even know yourself! Empathy is one thing but holy moly I was a mental midget yesterday. I went home and did a nose dive into bed, I couldn't even eat. Just had to share and maybe I'll gets some words of wisdom from my buddies here. Thanks.

Give it a few days and see how you feel then.  I worked at a home for developmentally disabled adults for several years when I was in college.  After the first day, I didn't think I could handle it.  By the end of the week, I was hooked. I'm sorry to hear things didn't go as well as you expected MOnk; but I agree with Jas. Give it a little more time before you decide to let it go. I agree with eveybody - give it a little longer, confirm the duties, especially cleaning.  I've never liked any job the first week!!!  Ever!!!  Take care and I hope today is better.I am sorry to hear it didn't go as well as you hoped.  Maybe it will get better.  If not I do hope you can find something you enjoy.It sounds like mentally tough work but should be rewarding if you are able to deal with it.  I am not sure that I could.  I agree though, give it a week or two and see. Will this guy be your only client or will each day bring someone new? Hi Monk, the housekeeping issue is the easy part.  There should be a service plan in place and that you use as guidance.  In fact whoever did the evaluation for this particular client should have given a copy of the service plan to the family so that they would know what to expect from the caregiver.  Just because the previous caregiver did it, doesn't mean that you have to if it's not checked off on the service plan.   Talk to your boss.  Also, like everyone else said give it a few more days.  If you're still anxious by the end of the week, quit.  It's not worth the struggle that you have to go through and it can't be good for the client if you're anxious.  I managed a health caregiver organization at one time.  I could go into the home and do the evaluation but I could never do the caregiving.  It's a tough job, physically and mentally.  LindyThank you, everyone. I needed the input. I will give it some time. I'm not a quitter that's for sure. And it was my first client. I just thought this was my kind of work and I'd be great. I failed myself and that's what's hard to take. Yes Lin, there is a specific outline on caregivers duties and it's all about the client. You can do laundry and help the client but not the other family members stuff. I don't want to throw the other caregiver under the bus, but she's sounds like she's doing everything for everyone. And that makes it hard on her temporary replacements. Again, thanks everyone for your encouragement. I'll keep you posted. MonkMonk, I agree with everyone else, give a bit longer. You're not a quitter if you finished the day. You did everything you should have and made a difference to the gentleman you were caring for.... so in my book that's not failing either. Dont be too hard on yourself, all new jobs have a work in time. I thought I was going to be a mother earth, turns out I wasnt, son says that doesnt stop me being a great mum... if you get the analogy.Monk, you really have my admiration for doing this and being the type of person who cares so much.  If you didn't care so much and feel so deeply about others, the nursing home wouldn't bother you at all.  I'm glad you are going to give it longer before you make a decision. And you didn't fail! It was just an upsetting day. So many go through that their first days on a new job. Try not to be so hard on yourself; k?Well, not that you need another person saying the smae thing, but I agree with the others.  Give it at least a week before you decide to quit.  Lot's of things seem too much or too hard at first.  But something drew you to this kind of work so you owe it to yourself to give it a bit more time.Awwww, thank you guys. I do feel better. And I did talk to my boss and told her about my day. She let me know that I was perfect for this work even if I didn't see it at that moment. And the feedback from the client was excellent. She offered me a new client where I go in at 6 am and work til 1 pm. No nursing homes on this one. And I can be home when my husband gets home. But I think I will start going to our nursing home on a regular basis and maybe teach an art class or something. It just floored me how something from so long ago can sneak up on you and rattle your cage just like that. And here I thought I had dealt with those feelings. Again, everyone you've touched my heart with your support. I think everyone's right - that was a lot to take in on day one. What you're in for *is* an emotionally and mentally demanding job at times. But you really seem like someone who's prefect for it. You have the "I DO care" attitude and that's really what it takes. Once you get to know a few of your clients, I think you'll find it hard to leave. :)

Hang in there! And you know, if after a week it still doesn't sit right with you don't be upset if you have to say goodbye. We have to be able to take care of ourselves FIRST before we can take care of anyone else. It's not your fault if you end up leaving, don't look at it that way. But do give it a chance. :)
That's wonderful Monk!