As many of you know, I recently applied for a job at the nursing home where Anthony has now lived for nearly three years. The job is that of ‘lifestyle assistant’ in the dementia wing/house, a role I have been learning over the recent weeks of volunteering. It is a three-hour shift, between 3 and 6pm, often a time of restless agitation for people with dementia as the sun goes down (Sundowner’s syndrome).
It was such a strange experience to be interviewed on Tuesday by two women who I already know so well – the Manager and the Events coordinator – but I still said “lovely to meet you”, which made us all laugh my nervousness away – well, sort of! But then I answered some of the questions clumsily, ignorant of the fastidious rules that have come into play since I last worked in a nursing capacity over 20 years ago.
So I was pretty sure I muffed my interview up and almost felt a sense of relief, but I couldn’t help hoping. Anthony knew about my application and interview but was a bit unsure about what was going on (he is not in the dementia wing) so when the Events Coordinator came into his room today and asked if she and I could have a chat, I thought she was just going to tell me I didn’t get the job.
And that’s how she started:
Ev: Julie, about that interview the other day (pulling a looooong face)
Me: Yes? (trying to look nonchalant)
But this is how she ended:
Ev: You got the job.
Me: What?
After that I twirled around Anthony’s room in a state of glee and, because I know so many of the staff and residents anyway, it’s been a joy to whisper, ‘I got the job!’ and Ants said at one point, “You are wonderful, Jules”.
Note: This is first post since my computer died and my computer whiz guy has salvaged everything onto a usb thingy. In meantime I have bought myself a Macbook – brilliant!
jmgoyder 
What good news Julie… I’m so happy for you
Thank you so much, Bulldog!
Congratulations…..isn’t that the way though with job interviews. Sometimes when you think it’s gone so well, it didn’t but in your case the opposite. They likely had a good idea about how you interacted with the residents… so anything else they think you need to know is jus a given… Personally I would have wondered why you ‘wouldn’t’ have got the job….Diane
Thanks Diane – I am elated!
Congratulations Julie. You are just….so perfect for the job that I know the whole nursing home will be delighted, as well as Anthony.
And…..as to the Macbook…..you won’t regret that purchase. I love my Mac Pro. Would never go back to a Windows desktop. Mind you, I only use the basics, but I just love the way you can ‘drag’ everything around. Somehow or other, I never ever got around to exploring all it can do. Just ensure you’ve got some anti-virus software and install it asap (I use Norton).
Gradually getting used to the Mac – thrilled!
Congratulations Julie 🙂
Thank you Arlene!
Congratulations. This will be great for you Julie.
It feels very meant-to-be!
yay for you but I am not surprised–you are a woman of credentials!
Haha – I was a bit worried that my PhD study of storytelling abilities of people with dementia might might overkill my chances so it is a great relief to have gotten this job!
I know, sometimes credentials boggle the mind of employers–glad it did not happen in this case!
Congratulations to you and well done. I am sure they have seen in you the caring person that you are. The new rules in place can easily be learned.
Thanks Colline – I start in a week quite nervous!
Good luck,
Ants is right – you are wonderful
Ha – debatable and we shall see!
Congratulations Jules! I knew that you had it in the bag,how could they let someone like you get away? How fantastic! 😀
Thanks so much Laurie!
😀
Congrats! Perhaps a forgone conclusion? Great news on the Macbook front too.
Yes, this computer rocks!
Wonderful news, Julie! Congrats. I know they are lucky to have you. 🙂
Jennifer x
I am still feeling so weirded out with gratitude for this opportunity. Thanks, Jennifer x
Congratulations dear Jules. They are lucky to have you. It’s an all-around gift for everyone. ❤
I start in a week, Paulette, so nervous but so happy about this!
Congrats, Julie. That’s perfect for you.
Yes and thank you!
You are going to love that MacBook!! Such wonderful news and I’m very happy for you, Julie. You deserve it, for sure. Keep smiling. ps. I knew you’d get the job. Only you didn’t.
You, Judy, are a legend!
Hearty congratulations.
Thank you so much, Susan.
A big congratulations on the new job, which by the way, I knew you already had it. Who wouldn’t want to hire someone who knows about the facility and proves over and over compassion for the residents………..
Terry, thank you from bottom of my heart and, too, for not minding when can’t keep up with ur posts. Love Julie xxx
I understand you are very busy, never worry about reading my posts. You will when you can
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES AND THANKS!
Congratulations Julie!!!!! What a benefit you have been, and will be, to all!!!
So excited!
I don’t blame you. It’s an incredible feeling, knowing you will make a difference. 🙂
Wow, congrats, Julie! You are an inspiration to me.
Thanks Luanne!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Elaine!
Well done Jules!!! Ants can see you even more. xoxo
You have been labelled ‘Anonymous’ so who are you?
Well done about the job. I am glad you are saved on a USB thingy too. A few good days are always welcome.
You are always such a tonic and I apologise if I have said this before but you are!
Congratulations Jules – I’m so happy for you! 😀
Diana xo
Thx Diana – me too!
Well done, you must have had your heart in your mouth for a couple of seconds!
Yes!
I must be psychic, because I KNEW the ending of this story. I am very happy for you (and for all those you’ll be working with).
You are psychic!
Thankfully not, but I’m glad you think so, Julie!
so pleased for you Julie.
Me too!
Wonderful news, Julie!
I am elated and have started working – it’s a wonderful job!
That is great news Julie
Yes!
That was brilliant Julie! Congratulations! A happy dance is indeed in place.
Definitely! Thank you so much.
Hooray! You’re perfect for the job 🙂
I am loving it so far!
What a great opportunity for you, Jules, to be doing something you love doing anyway!
It has been wonderful so far!
Congratulations!!!
Thanks Judith!
Congrats, Julie! How perfectly wonderful–not only for you and Anthony, but for all the other residents who will benefit from your sweet personality and that dazzling smile. 🙂 May each day bring you joy.
So far so good!
i am not just happy for you but for all the patients who will benefit from your wonderful entertaining nature:)
It has been so much fun so far!
Congratulations, Julie! I’m sure you’ll be a great help there every day.
Thank you!
Yay, now you can get paid for what you have been giving away!
Yes, it is a win/win situation!
This is the most wonderful news, Julie! Merry Christmas and I await your return.
Thanks Lynda – I started work this week and I love it!
Well done Julie – congratulations adn all the best
Thx Ingrid – started already!
Belated congratulations, Julie. Merry Christmas! And welcome to the Mac world (I converted last year). 🙂
Thanks Lisa!
I also work 3 hour shifts from time to time….as a companion for people in this same situation (my father died of Alzheimer’s disease).
All of my life, I have had what I call a “high drift factor”–so I completely understand what it feels like to be lost, turned around, frightened, and confused.
I think it is the creative side of me that causes me to get lost from time to time. A strangely shaped cloud, the sound of leaves rattling in a breeze, birds talking to each other in the trees—my attention is easily captured by little things that are happening around me. The next thing I know my mind has wandered off into a story again, and I have completely lost track of my physical place in time and space. Yep. I graduated in the top 10% of my class at UMW—but I tend to lose my glasses on top of my head, and my sense of direction in the mall. Go figure.
One time, in frustration, I told my daughter–“WHY do I keep losing everything! Now I can’t find my coat. I just had it a minute ago. I wonder if I have dementia or something.”
She laughed and said: “Mom, I don’t think so! You’ve been this way for as long as I have known you, and I have known you all of my life. When I was little, I often had to help you find the car in the store parking lots.”
I replied, “Well then…auuugh….I must have a very slow moving case of Alzheimer’s that I have had since the day I was born.” 🙂
Anyway, because of the way that I am, I seem to have a natural understanding for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. I don’t expect them to come into my reality when they are frightened; I find out where their reality is and I go there to help calm them down. I have locked many doors that I could not see, to make others feel safe again. I have even walked into the middle of a war (I think it was WWII), where I was told to cover my head and kneel to the ground for a moment because of intense gunfire I could not hear. And then, I was reprimanded for not having a helmet on. I quickly said, “Sorry, sir! I forgot it! 😉
My greatest talent is voice and music, as you can tell by some of the post that I have written. Music is definitely a universal language–thought vibration knows no boundaries. It is a great joy when others begin to sing along with me.
I did write a short tribute to my father when I first started my blog–which I named “Before I Forget” for reasons known to me. Here is the link to the post:
http://storieswithnobooks.com/2012/07/31/love-is-stronger-than-alzheimers-disease/
Thank you for being a special angel and caring so much about the people in the nursing home.
It is hard work, but definitely worth the effort.
Thank you for this wonderful comment and story. It sounds like you and I are a lot alike and I totally agree with your approach to dementia. Your father is/was special as is my Anthony. Love to you.