I am soooo excited!

[lmperez]

Originally Posted by Patti

I am not a man, lol but having taken care of my Dad for 4 years in a Senior building. From my and observation it was interesting to see how different the men and women interacted.
The women were more inclined to go to the activities. I know with my Dad he liked to talk about the good ld days. He always loved animals so I think your idea of getting them involved in working with shelter animals would be great. Also, depending on the level of assistance they need, could they maybe talk to school children about their time served in the armed forces? If not, maybe have them form small discussion groups with different topics and activities. Just from my limited exposure it seems the men did better one on one or small groups. JMO

Thanks. That is a good observation. I was thinking of some type of mentoring program. I have worked in physical rehab for a long time and things are so different in that setting. I currently work with children who have autsim so I really need to switch gears if they are to have me.

[lmperez]

Thanks again for all the good thoughts. My interview went well. He said he was very impressed with me. We talked for over an hour and he asked many questions. He said he will call back tomorrow. He wanted me to have time to think about everything we discussed to be sure it is what I want. It will be a great place to work. I love the philosophy of the place. I am just sad to think about quiting my job with the kids. It is always hard to make changes good or bad. It is not like I am unhappy where I am at, but is is only 3.5 hrs per day and my expenses are going up and my income well not so much. I have one in college another to start in Fall and my youngest has a few years but he too will be going. I am rambling now sorry! So many things to think about

[boopster]

George's mom was at a really nice place for several years. They had a weekly movie night, bingo night, card groups, ice cream socials... whatever it took to get them out of their rooms and be around other people. At least twice a year they invited all the families of the residents to a nice party - they really welcomed family visits and residents got free "tickets" to invite their families to eat with them in the dining room periodically.

They had ministers from nearby churches take turns giving brief services every Sunday. They had a resident dog - she was a beautiful golden retriever and a retired police dog and the residents doted on her. After she died, one of the residents' daughters who trained service dogs brought two of her best behaved dogs to visit every week or two. They got in touch with local entertainers and got them to volunteer - so there was live entertainment nearly every Sunday evening. And they invited choral groups and bands from all of the local schools to come and entertain.

At Christmas they had a door decorating contest (which was my all-time favorite activity) and had Santa pay a visit. In summertime, a local Packard collectors' club used to have a car show and barbecue for the residents. It was always a thrill for the residents to be able to see many of the cars they remembered from their youths.

They had a small pool and had water therapy daily. And they had exercises the residents could do while seated in a straight chair. But I don't think the physical therapy/exercise was under the activity director -- I think they had a part-time physical therapist manage that.

I hope you get the job. It takes a special type of person to do a job like this.

[lmperez]

Thank you Boopster! Lots of wonderful ideas. Where in So Cal do you live? I am in Orange County.

[boopster]

You're kidding! I'm in Ontario - but George's mom lived in a place in Orange. I don't remember the name right now. They were not originally an assisted living facility but they were headed that direction when Mom left -- she moved to be closer to George's sister.

One of the things I forgot last night - they had monthly newsletter and each one featured an interview with one of the residents about their life story. Although we spent a lot of time with Mom talking about her family history, she shared things in the interview that she never told us and it's now part of George's family history book.

I always thought I would love to do an oral history project at one of these places. People in that age group lived through such dramatic times and they all have such different, interesting stories to share. Who knows... you might be able to get a high school American history class to take something like that on as a project.

I just read a fiction book about woman who thought she became figuratively invisible when she slipped from middle age to old age -- because younger people tend to write off the older ones. What a waste of a valuable resource!

Where are you interviewing?

[lmperez]

Wow that is intersting, that she felt she was invisible but I can see why. People don't see the value in our seniors, It is really sad. I was thinking about doing some kind of "history: type book. Thanks for reminding me of the value. I am interviewing at Sunnycrest in Fullerton.

[boopster]

Darn! I was hoping it was the place where Mom lived. But I still hope you get the job You will encounter some cranky seniors but many of them are so grateful to have anyone pay them attention. You just have to remember that they are not children and unless they have Alzheimers or some other dementia, they need to be treated as adults.

That was another complaint I heard frequently -- "just because I'm
a) unable to walk
b) deaf
c) blind
d) suffering any other physical infirmity
doesn't mean that I'm an idiot!"

Keep us posted on how it goes!

[lmperez]

And he said he was a man of his word! hmmmm. He said he was going to call this afternoon and he did not. I hope that is not a bad sign.

[boopster]

Any news?

[lmperez]

No I haven't heard anything. I have tried calling him as well but he has not returned any of my calls. I am feeling pretty bummed about it. He really built me up while I was there that I thought he was for sure going to offer me the job. I am not sure what to think now.

[lmperez]

I have a question. On Monday I had a job interview. It went really well. He said he was very impressed. Upon leaving he said he wanted ME to think about everything to make sure I felt it was a good fit. Again he said he was very impressed with me and he would definitely call me on Tues afternoon. Tues came a went so I called him on Wed late afternoon. He was busy staff took a message. Called again Thurs late afternoon. busy again said they would leave a message. Called today at 11:30 again busy took message. Should I call again or just wait? Should I go back there and try to talk to him or would that just be rude? Or should I e mail him? I am so confused because he talked me up on the interview that I honestly thought he was going to offer the position right then. UGH! Any thoughts?

[Patti]

That stinks. In my previous life I did a lot of hiring. We always got back to the candidate within the time frame we told them. If I had a real good feel for a candidate I would have HR make the offer the same or next day. I personally wouldn't call again. I'm not sure about emailing him. He may answer that easier than a phone call or he may just have been really busy. I hope that is the case and you hear soon. It is rude of him not to return your call.

[lmperez]

Thank you Patti for the advise. I really need this job. I hope he is just really busy. He is the Executive Director.