I had been having a hard time dealing with a death we had here at our facility. One lady who moved in suddenly took a turn for the worse and passed away about one week after she arrived. No one saw it coming; it completely blindsided us all.
I had found myself very fond of this resident. Her family life had never been easy. Although a very tough, witty, and sometimes extremely funny lady, her life had been full of heartbreaks and struggle. Caring for her family had been her top priority. Each time one of them struggled, she never let them struggle alone.
That same caretaking nature could be seen in the way she helped those around the facility. Constantly asking if folks needed help getting up from their seats, directing traffic to the next activity or just sitting and asking someone how he felt, she never gave up that caretaker role.
And suddenly she was gone.
I struggled with this because I was very fond of her, but it was also difficult because I felt as though this nice lady had never gotten enough of “her” time. She was always giving it, every ounce of energy she had, to her friends and family. Then, when she moved to a place where she could relax, she was gone within a week.
I ran into her granddaughter in the hallway last week. She gave me a hug and told me how happy she was that her grandmother could spend some time not worrying about her family. She could relax in a safe, fun place and do what she loved doing the most – spending time with folks who needed help.
And even though it was only a week, it was a week she had never had.
It’s times like this that give me pause as I walk the halls of our beautiful building. I see that one woman I can always count on to throw a joke my way or that nice man who always greets me with a “Hey, buddy!” each morning. I watch them as they sing their favorite hymns together or laugh about something that happened 20 years ago.
And I see how they spend time with each other. Patiently listening to the dementia resident as she tells them a story they’ve heard one thousand times before, only to laugh like it was the first time they have heard it. I see how residents invite new folks to join them in their room for a chat. I sit in amazement at their ability to care and comfort all of those within their own community.
I caught myself standing in front of the door of the lady who passed away. I was deep in thought when a wonderful, long-time resident of our facility walked up to me, patted me on the back, and said, “It was very nice that we got to know her. She sure helped a lot of people.”
This building has many caregivers. Some of them are the very people who reside in these halls. When I talk with potential residents about assisted living, I know that the “assistance” doesn’t just come from the staff. And I marvel in the fact that the lives that are assisted are not just those of the residents.
Columbia/ Forest Acres South Carolina – Agape Senior Kathwood
Agape Senior Assisted Livingof Kathwood provides senior-focused solutions. In working with seniors andtheir families, the dedicated staff works diligently to optimize quality oflife by embracing individuality and preserving dignity. Columbia, Forest Acres,Blythewood, Elgin, lugoff, Camden – Call us 803-787-1234
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