On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 8:28:56 AM UTC-5, Uncle Monster wrote:

I worked in a nursing home for 14 yrs...don't forget to interact with the residents. Have meals in the dining area and not in your room. You can do a world of good being positive to those people...and you may be looking at yourself in a few yrs? You have many options...

I would prefer to eat in the dining room but I'd have to get someone to push me to the other side of the complex in another wing. When I want to leave the dining room, there's not always a CNA available to push me back. It's very hard on me to roll myself around in my wheelchair because of my messed up shoulders and the slightly sloping hallway past the nurses station is like Mt.Everest to me. The physical terrorism department is at the end of the hall from my room and I volunteer to be tortured there depending on my level of pain. If I get my knee brace back, I can get up in my walker and get around that way. I am a lot stronger than I was when I got here at the end of February. 8-)

[8~{} Uncle Hopeful Monster

I've seen many well intentioned temporary residents that will not mix with the permanent residents...even one who said she would come back as a volunteer. It never happened. As for aides being available...they are usually happy to assist, and knowing you...I'm sure you have your favorites. It is hard to look at them and see yourself in a few years...but it is very fulfilling.