Hanging with the Oldsters!

This week I am in Pennsylvania in a town with population of little to none. Honestly, this town is probably the smallest town I have ever set foot in. We are working in two long term care facilities in neighboring towns. Now, I am an ER nurse by trade. I enjoy the adrenaline rush of being in the ER and not knowing what will come in the door next. I thrive on that. I enjoy being busy and I welcome an organized chaotic environment. Let me tell you I have experience none of that this past week. It's been down right boring.

The only redeeming factor in working with the folks employed at the long term care facilities is that I also get to interact with the residents who are between 100 years old and dead. However, they are so cute. While in the facility I smile and greet each resident I make eye contact with. Some are entertaining and others are confused and combative. What a mix! I have always been attracted to the elderly folks and I have always been older in spirit than what I am in years. I like hearing their stories and listening to them speak of their kids and grandkids. Some are more interactive than others.

Today their big activity was Bingo! As we were there the activities coordinator was helping the nursing staff round up the residents to bring them to Bingo. There is no better sight than 5 eager and excited elderly residents in wheelchairs packed in a elevator waiting to go to Bingo. The place was a buzz because it was Bingo today. As I peeked into the Bingo room to see all the people at tables the activities coordinator asked if I wanted to help call out the numbers. I said I would have loved to but I was really there to work and I didn't think it would look too good for me to be calling Bingo Numbers while I was on company time. Seeing their faces just made my day.

I'm sure Bill and I will eventually occupy beds at some assisted living facility in the distant...distant future. All I can hope is that we have our health, sense of humor, and each other.

Here's to the oldsters!!!