A Thorn in My Side!!!

[snowie44]

As anyone knows I work the night shift taking care of elderly people. I work in a rather large building but am only responsible for a handful..well make that a few handfuls of people who reside in the building. Some actually rent the apartment they live in while others stay in our company's 'transitional' apartments. Those who stay in the

Comments

[aalia7]

Aaaarrrrgghhh is right. If talking to your team leader isn't working, can you go straight to the nurse? SOMEbody must have some sympathy for your situation. Alternatively, you could bring a Maglite to work and blast it full force in this lady's room. Maybe then she'd agree to a night-light. ;)

One of my friends in college was dead-set on gerontology. She volunteered at lots of nursing homes and always had stories like this. Most of them she could just laugh off, but some situations were really intolerable. She's in real estate now.

I'm definitely not suggesting you should switch careers, but I understand - as much as can be understood through second-hand accounts - how difficult your job can be.

Hang in there and enjoy your holiday weekend!

[jewells68]

There are some people, regardless of age or illness, that just prefer to be disagreeable, and it appears you are "lucky" enough to have to take care of one. You're right tht a misstep in that environment could be hazardous to yourself or another worker or patient. I hardly got any sleep when I was hospitalized a couple of years ago because I need it pretty much pitch black to sleep, and of course there are always at least some lights on there. I didn't complain about it though, because I understood that the light was necessary. Hopefully she'll transition somewhere else soon.

[ofenjen]

Sheesh, how frustrating. She sounds like someone that will not be pleased even if you did as she wanted. Hold to your standards and don't let her get you down. Even if she complains, it sounds like you're in the right.