Does anyone recognize this "sign" for a hospital room?
 

When my mom was in the hospital a few years back and not doing well, I ran across a sign/poster/saying that I printed up and hung on her door. It was directed at the professional staff (medical, cleaning, dietary) and somehow reminded them that this "old woman" they saw now was a real person and had been a beautiful young strong woman at one time who had her own dreams, career, etc., etc.

I don't recall exactly how it went, but the sentiment kindly asked them to please see the woman inside this old body and treat her with the respect that was given throughout her younger life. I know that caregivers become immune and sometimes jaded in their daily jobs, and it was a very respectful reminder to them to remember why they have chosen to work where they do.

Does anyone recognize this? My mom is out of the hospital but in transitional care in a nursing home (hopefully to return home) and a good friend's mom is in the hospital in very bad unresponsive shape. I thought it would be great for both of us to hang up. But I can't remember where I found it and can't seem to search for it on line using the right search string. Thought someone else might have used it before.

Thanks if you can help!

I received the story you're talking about awhile back from a friend via email. I'll see if I can't find it and get it to you.

That sounds wonderful. What a great idea. I haven't seen one, but you have me interested now. Let us know when you find one.

I can't help you Diane but I think the idea is wonderful.
I wish I knew about such a sign a couple of months ago when my
Aunt was very sick in a nursing home (having since passed) when my other
aunt heard an aid reagard her as an old lady down the hall.
Of course my aunt went after her and told her pretty much what
seems to be in the sign your looking for. The aid then showed the
respect that should have been shown in the first place.
Good luck in your search and prayer's coming for your Mom to return
home real soon.

Oh, you are an angel - no pressure or anything ;) Actually, I'm just glad someone knows what I'm talking about, because that means that even if you can't find it, perhaps someone else does have it.

You know, YT is great for yorkie talk, but more and more I remember that you people are the greatest resources for all that is important to us (as well as a bit of entertainment).

Thanks so much. I try to remember how hard their jobs are. How doing it day after day would be so hard for all who are less than angels. Please accept my condolences on the passing of your Aunt. But I'm also glad that she is free of the nursing home now, as I'm sure you are too.

However, we find it, it'll get posted here so we can all use it.

Wherever we find it, it'll get posted here as a resource for all of us to remind those hard-working (mostly) caregivers.

Is this it?

When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was wrongly assumed that she had nothing left of any value.
But later, when the nurses were going through her meagre possessions, they found this poem.
Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do, and
Forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten ....with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again, my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; look closer ...see ME!!

Good to hear your mom is fine.But I am sending warm wishes and prayers to your friends mom for a speedy recovery.




If thats not it its still very nice.Although I am not a caregiver to strangers I do care for my family and sometimes you do become worn down with all the things to do and not enough thank yous.I really like it and thanks I am proud to say I am a member of YT!!:) I am very sentimental and I make no apologies for it:cool:

When my grandfather was in a nursing home, my mother made these two posters and put them up by his bed so people could get to know him. It caught on and more families started putting up things about their loved ones in the home. I'm gonna cry right now just thinking about it, but it was a great thing that they did for him because he was such an awesome man and we wanted everyone to know it.

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Rosey07 that was really moving.

Yes it is very moving...I use to work in a Nursing Home back in the 70's it was my first job. I could not believe there were people there that only came to vist a few times a year...I guess that cared cause at least they did come.

Wow what a great idea!!

I can't help you finding the sign you are looking for, but I completely sympathize with the meaning it holds that you have described. My family recently had to deal with this situation...a loved one being treated like an 'object' instead of a person, so the message really hits home.

As someone who has worked in the medical profession, I have to say, that is a very hard job to have. On one level, you have to be able to shut out any emotion for the patients--you cannot let yourself become attached to them, but at the same time, you have to leave enough of your heart open that you can provide the care they need and deserve and treat them like the people they are and not just a 'job.' It is SUCH a fine line and so hard to find a healthy balance there.:(

Oh Rosey, that's it!!
 

Oh Rosey, that's it!! But I think it's even longer than the one that I had, so it's even better. It still makes me cry. And Labrown, I absolutely adore the posters you made. Your picture made me feel like I almost knew your grandfather! I think that's a wonderful idea and will suggest that for both me and my friend!!

I worked in an emergency room (not as a nurse but we did triage and cared for the patients for the nurses) for 5 years. That was a hard but rewarding job. HOWEVER, it's nothing like the care given by long-term caregivers. I am not typically bitter when we have bad nurses; I know that their job is hard and that they have their own family troubles to deal with. I remember one kind nurse who ran back and forth between my mom's floor and the floor on which her mother was dying. But I did want to find this way to gently remind them to look at my mom as the person she is, not as a shell of what she was. For all of you that have done or do that, you are blessings. There is a special corner in Heaven for animal lovers and caregivers. And those of you that are both get the best seat in the House!

I'm sorry if my plea brought reminders of a hard time for any of you, but I also hope that you were able to remember some special moments as well.

Thank you all so much. You are all in my prayers. I sometimes think that God has to giggle with all the YT prayers delivered to Him. I, myself, often feel blessed to be a part of this place.

I wanted to send this to my friend today as she is having a hard day. And I'm going to suggest the picture poster too. So I took what Rosey sent and just dressed it up a little into something hangable. I am limited because I'm here at work without many resources. I'll make another at home. I wanted to share in case anyone else needed one - but TRULY TRULY hoping you don't. But I never realized we couldn't post anything besides pictures. If anyone unfortunately find they need one, let me know and I'll be happy to email it.

Thanks again all!!
Diane

That's so nice of you!

Maybe someone can scan it for you and save it as an image/photo? Just a thought.

Oh, that's a good idea. I could do that at home tonight when I make a better looking one. Then I could attach it.

hmmmmm, Through out my 11 years in the medical field I have had mixed emotions about people. I have had to deal with parents who worried about the cost over their child's life, children who would beg for us to admit their parents, just so they didn't have to feed or bathe them and people who would yell at, completly forgetting I had to go $10,000 dollars or more in debt just to learn how to take care of them properly. but never have I forgot that the person below me is or was someones family but thanks for pointing this out....i know others who need to read it

Which is exactly why I try so hard to keep my emotions in check. It's so easy to, in your own pain, not see the other side, but I live my life trying to see both (or more) sides of everything. There are even times when our "beloved" patients are being horrible to their caregivers. Maybe we need a sign for them to remember their caregivers too.

Bless those of you caregivers who have the strength to do it well, and bless those who need some help with it. And patience and understanding to all the rest of us.

Thank you so much for sharing that!! I wish I had seen it several years ago before my Mother died in 2006 at 90! We were so afraid of her not being treated well, for the last several years that she lived, we never, ever left her alone when she had to be in the hospital. She was such a sweet, gentle spirit but you would be surprised at how hateful some are even to someone so sweet!

I'm going to share that with my friend who lives in Chicago who is going through a terrible time right now. She is an only child and her Mom is in her late 80's and is in the early stages of alzheimers. She called me a couple of days ago and she asked me to tell her honestly how I coped with my Mother's illness. I told her that when Mother's dimentia got to the point that it was hard for me to handle, I would say to myself, "that's not my Mother, my Mother is beautiful, kind, sweet and gentle"! It got me through it because I loved her enough to see her and not the illness.

God bless all of you who have been through this and those of you who someday will.