Things looked pretty bleak after I left my job with Aging, and I dreaded the thought of going back on unemployment or disability until I found something else. Then I caught a break.
I had worked at the Manor for long that the staff, especially Mrs. Alfgren, the Administrator, knew me very well. I was like family there for a long time.
I was still out work when I attended the annual Volunteer Luncheon in the apring of 1990. Mrs Alfgren, a petite lady with short curly gray hair and a friendly smile, came over to me before the luncheon began, asking how I was doing. She was always kind to me, and we actually started working at the Manor together in 1977.
She squinted her eyes and crinkled her nose in that funny way she did when she was thinking. She asked to see me after the luncheon.
The current Social Worker, Andrea, was going to have a baby. They needed someone to fill in for six months until she came back. It wouldn't be a permanent position, as they could only afford to pay one full-time Social Worker, but it would be great experience and a job for half-a year. I would never forget Mrs. Alfgren because she gave me a chance, when I started working part-time and volunteering.
She trusted me like no one had before. Here she was, offering me yet another chance.She knew whatever I lacked in experience I made up fpr in life experience.
I accepted the job on the spot. I would start immediately, orienting with Andrea until she left for maternity leave on July 1.
I was thrilled. Returning to where it all started. Only a block form home. No transportation issues. No worries of sending out resumes or going to job interviews. I didn't think about what would happen six months down the road. I was just thankful that God led me back home where I belonged.
The weeks of orientation went quickly. Andrea was so easy to work with, young ( maybe a little older than I was), pretty, smart. She had been in the field a while and knew her stuff. I learned something new everyday. Down the road, as a seasoned social worker, I would continue to learn something new every single day.
The job was interesting and fun We never knew who we would meet or what kind of case we would encounter next. In that way it was lot like my Aging gig, but this was focused on the nursing home, its residents and families.
Our office was small and we shared it with Medical Records, but we made do. The residents were glad I was on board and filling in for Andrea soon. Of course they would miss her, and I suspected some families eyed me with concern. Andrea was top-notch and families trusted her. If they went to her with a problem it would be quickly resolved . She was honest with families and residents, yet friendly and reassuring. I had my work cut out for me to win their trust as well.
I think my O.I. both helped and hindered me. It helped because the residents knew I could to relate to dependendence on others, the loneliness, the pain. I knew what it was like to be bed-bound and not able to even get a drink of water on my own. It was frustrating when your independence isn't yours anymore.
My disability hurt because families had to think can this guy do the job? Is he physically up to it? Is he mentally up to it? That old fallacy of you must be intellectually disabled because you can't walk. still existed. They went hand-in-hand, didn't they?
Andrea did a fantastic job extolling my virtues to the families. It was up to me to prove that she was right.
After July 1st I was on my own. The staff threw Andrea a little party. She was really loved at the Manor. Everyone would miss her. I would miss her too, knowing I was alone now. My caseload was 144 residents, if all the beds were filled.
I was a bit apprehensive, but like my college days, I didn't think about the massive caseload. I just did it. There were meetings to attend every day, care plans and notes to write, documentation and forms to complete on a timely basis. If you don't write it down you didn't do it, and I soon learned that documenting everything was key.
There were residents to talk to and families to counsel, which was always my favorite part of the job, The paperwork was a necessity. It had to be done timely and neatly. I was always conscious of falling behind and the daunting task of catching up. But I was always on time with my notes, which impressed Mrs. Alfgren and the state when they came around to do their inspections.
I especially loved the residents, and even though I was tremendously busy from 8:15 to 4;00, Monday to Friday, I always tried to find time for them.
Two things were important to me: No matter how busy I was, unless it was impossible to do and I couldn't get away from meetings or new admissions, I always tried to see each resident daily. Even if it was a quick hello and a smile it was important to build trust and let them know someone cared and that I had not forgotten them. Every single day, without fail, I would touch base with all 144 residents.
The second important item to me was continuing to feed those residents in need of assistance when I could. Even on those days when I was so swamped I didn't have time to have lunch myself. It was important because it brought me closer to the residents. We weren't talking about their mood or family things or problems they were having. I fed them and we would talk about fun things or the weather or" how about those Phillies?" I never thought of feeding as demeaning or not as important as my regular duties. I pitched in and helped the nurses and aides when I could, and it was always a great experience.
"Ok, Mrs. Gray, here we go," I announced as the aides brought her lunch tray bedside. After bibs were in place and secured we would go over the menu for today; "Chicken at 6 o'clock, mashed potatoes at 3 o'clock, broccoli at nine o'clock and dessert..it looks like chocolate pudding, is way up at 11 o'clock on your tray. Ready?"
Nine times out of ten she would ask to start with dessert. I suppose I would to.
My time went fast and I did the best I could do. I dressed nicely every day, was on time, and often was there on Saturdays to get paperwork ready for Monday morning. The State surveyors did make their annual inspection while I held down the fort. They knew I was a fill-in, so but I couldn't count on them to cut me any slack. I'm sure Mrs. Alfgren had faith in me but she had to worry about the inspection. Would I drop the ball? She would soon find out.
We had zero deficiencies . at least in the Social Service department. I let out a big sigh of relief during the exit interview at the end of the week. We all could relax, all the department heads, all the staff. I had faith in my own abilities but I didn't want to be the lone eye-sore on a state inspection . I wasn't.
The staff, though always kind and helpful, seemed even more encouraging after they knew that I was doing a decent job decent enough to pass the rigorous state inspection. I could never be Andrea, but I was holding my own , and the inspection verified that.
Andrea had a boy in late August. She called me from time to time to find out "how are things?" I suppose she was worried too, what would she come back to find? It was only natural. I knew Mrs. AAlfgren , with Andrea's blessing, hired me because of the circumstances, but now I was proving I could handle the work.
Andrea stopped by with the baby in the fall. She went around to see all the staff and residents, and they were so happy to see her and meet the baby. Animals and babies were always popular with the residents. Afterwards, she stopped by the office and seemed pleased, and maybe pleasantly surprised, that things were in good shape. She met briefly with Mrs. Alfgren and apparently got the same good word form her.
I didn't want to let anyone down so I was gratified that everything was good .
At the end of 1990,it was planned that Andrea would return to work after the new year. I hated to leave but reality said to start sending out those dreaded resumes again. After more than six months alone I had become even more of a fixture at the Manor. I felt more respected by the staff and more confident in myself. I worked well with the residents and families and soon I was actually hearing nice comments like "It's a shame.Do you think they will keep you?"Even though Andrea was well-liked so was I. I could see that residents, families and staff were torn.
Andrea said she would talk to Mrs. Alfgren about "needing an assistant," but she couldn't promise anything. She asked for help before and the corporation always said no. The workload could be handled by one but two could share and have more one-on-one time with the residents. There was justification for adding an assistant to the Social Service department but it always came down to money, like usual with big corporations.
I know that several families put in a good word with Mrs. lfgren. Even a few residents who could make it down to her office on the first floor, either by wheelchair, walker or cane, took the time and effort to see her and put in a good word for me. For that I was eternally grateful.
Mrs. Alfgren put in the request but it was out of her hands. Even if they all agreed that Andrea needed an assistant how would I know I was the guy they would hire full-time?
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