Mentally and Physically Challenged.

Life is picking up, as I start to begin my new job. I got to do orientation (my hiring start date) this past Wednesday on 9/20/23. First day training for my HCA certification was on Thursday. I thought I was only going to do some online Relias Training, but was asked to do a shift in Memory Care. Saturday I was asked to come in to do a shift, which I ended up in the assistive living. I will dive in why my title says mentally and physically challenging. In the memory care it is mentally challenging as I relate to the resident who are living in a group home, not the memory part but the confusing why they can not leave and some wanting to escape the building. The environment was quite and as I get to know each resident it was mentally sad inside. I can tell the frustration of confusion they were going through, not understanding why they were there, where certain things are, and why is certain love ones are not there. I was able to keep it together, also the environment seemsed slow, making my shift feel like it is dragging. It was hard to get to know residents as they were in their own world and did not know what was going on. Now for the assistive living that was different it was physically challenging. I end up walking down long halls, up and down stairs, and helping all different needed residents. From learning how to change briefs, moving residents (most bigger or taller than me). Very challenging on my body, I now understand the importance to use my legs to lift up residents. Even it was physically challenging I really like working with the residents as I able to get to know them a bit and had mostly positive interaction. The training is lacking though. Memory Care was okay because I caregiver who has been there for 3 months was helping me learn the ropes. But in the assistive living I followed a brand new co-worker she only had 2 shifts under her belt with little training as well. So it was blind leading the blind. I guess that has been the case at my work place. They are struggling with keeping staff on the schedule. But thankfully my first night at assistive living was not crazy, just pager buzzing and literaly moving between residents. We did have moments when our pager wasn't going off, meaning we were able to keep up with residents needs. I think I really like working in the assistive living more, I think my mental state is already being challenged in my daily life. I mean there will be times I will be asked to work in the memory care and that is fine. So sorry for a delayed posting. I got to figure out my schedule, so I will post when I can. 

                             Taken with Pixel 6 Pro on 9/23/23

Yesterday evening as I left a 7.25 hour shift. The moon was pretty, surrounded by little clouds, in a perfect temperature. This picture does not capture the moon very well.