Since my Dad got Alzheimer's (or should I say that it got him?), and him moving into a Home, I have noticed an aspect of me changing.
At the beginning I was very wary of the other residents, frightened of what they might do and not knowing how I should react. After nearly a year I find I'm not only more relaxed but seem to be able to do things I didn't think I ever could.
For instance, a woman (call her 'Mary') was being asked by a carer to go into the lounge and, for whatever reason, she didn't want to go. I was just passing, holding Dad's arm, so I put out my other hand and said, "Come with me, Mary?" And she did! She even thanked me when we got into the lounge, while the carer looked on!
Such a little thing, I know, but the point about it is that, ever since I can remember I've been slightly nervous of people with any kind of mental disorder. Now, here I am getting stuck in and starting to enjoy it!
Actually, the same could be said of my Mum too, when the music is played she often gets some of the residents dancing now, whereas, when she first visited Dad she was also nervous of them.
I'm not saying hey, I'm great or anything like that, because I still certainly could not do some of the less pleasant jobs (no pun intended) and have much admiration for those that do. I just think that it goes to show that fear is often present because of a lack of familiarity. Anyone else found that caring has changed them in ways they never would have imagined?
At the beginning I was very wary of the other residents, frightened of what they might do and not knowing how I should react. After nearly a year I find I'm not only more relaxed but seem to be able to do things I didn't think I ever could.
For instance, a woman (call her 'Mary') was being asked by a carer to go into the lounge and, for whatever reason, she didn't want to go. I was just passing, holding Dad's arm, so I put out my other hand and said, "Come with me, Mary?" And she did! She even thanked me when we got into the lounge, while the carer looked on!
Such a little thing, I know, but the point about it is that, ever since I can remember I've been slightly nervous of people with any kind of mental disorder. Now, here I am getting stuck in and starting to enjoy it!
Actually, the same could be said of my Mum too, when the music is played she often gets some of the residents dancing now, whereas, when she first visited Dad she was also nervous of them.
I'm not saying hey, I'm great or anything like that, because I still certainly could not do some of the less pleasant jobs (no pun intended) and have much admiration for those that do. I just think that it goes to show that fear is often present because of a lack of familiarity. Anyone else found that caring has changed them in ways they never would have imagined?