Most of us probably have little experience with nursing homes. They may even be places we would rather avoid -- until, that is, we have parents, a spouse or other loved ones there. And a walk through the halls might make us uncomfortable or even fearful of the day when we ourselves might become residents of such a facility.
Our society often treats old people as, well, surplus baggage, no longer useful to society and sometimes even as a burden upon those who must provide care for those who can no longer care for themselves. What we so often fail to consider is that old people are people too. They are living, breathing human beings with beliefs, passions, likes, dislikes, opinions, views and feelings.
As a pastor, I often visit nursing homes and church members who live there. I'll admit that visiting church members in nursing homes and hospitals is not always easy for me. Such places make me uncomfortable. They remind me of what happens to people's bodies as we grow older or become ill. But, I will also admit that my visits there have been a blessing to me in that I go to offer comfort and encouragement from the Scriptures and often am the one who receives comfort and encouragement.
And, getting closer to the point of this column, it takes a special kind of person to work in a nursing home and care for the elderly in their declining years. I don't know that I could do it, though my wife has been involved in caring for the elderly for more years than I have known her. In fact, when possible, I like to take her with me when I make calls on church members in nursing homes because of how she cares for those who are there, often holding a hand or adjusting a pillow or blankets to give comfort while I share the comfort of the Scriptures and pray for and with them.
In addition to working as a nurse, my wife teaches and trains students to become certified nurse aides and personal care assistants. She teaches the medical knowledge and skills necessary to become licensed to care for the elderly and sick, but she also teaches her students to respect the elderly as real people -- persons to be treated with dignity.
This brings me to the point of this column: one of her students and an assignment in the CNA class. In a handwritten paper summarizing what she had learned in the fall semester CNA class, Lydia Pye, one of my wife's students who gave her permission to let me read and include a part of her paper here, not only summarized all the things she learned in regard to the medical field and skills related to working as a CNA, she included the following in regard to what she learned about people -- old people, especially.
"The experience I have gained in this class has allowed me to absolutely fall in love with people ... At the beginning of this class, my thoughts on old people were just that they are old people. I now realize that they are so much more -- real people, with real memories, stories, families, likes and dislikes -- just like you and me. I have loved the time I have spent working at our clinicals.
"If there is anything else I have gained from taking this class, it's the old saying, 'Never judge a book by its cover.' The wrinkles, the gray hair everywhere, the faded looks ... that is not the person on the inside. These residents still have so much to offer this world, and I have to admit that a goofy smile from a resident, with or without teeth in, is very contagious and certainly touches my heart every single time.
"Being a CNA is hard work, but knowing that you get to be there with the residents for the last of their time, making them happy, is so worth it. I certainly plan on continuing my education, but this class has been a wonderful stepping stone. I will take everything I have learned from this class -- including not only the knowledge and skills, but also the important life lessons -- and carry it with me through my journey as a health-care professional...."
I trust that there are many more like Lydia in my wife's classes -- young people who understand that old people are real people and worthy of respect, honor and loving care. I have no doubt that many of these young students who will go into the medical field as CNAs, PCAs, nurses, doctors and specialists will enter the field not just for monetary gain but because they love people and truly desire to help people. I commend them for choosing to work in a field which requires people of special qualities and unique love for people.
As for Lydia, I certainly wish her the best in her medical studies and hope she follows through in her educational pursuits. I don't know her but it sounds like she will make a great CNA, nurse or doctor -- we need more students like Lydia. In fact, I hope that when and if the day comes that I am in a nursing home, wrinkled and gray-headed, with or without my teeth, the CNAs and nurses who care for me are a lot like Lydia and treat me as a real person even though my body might be worn out and old.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 12/28/2016