??? Never get old ???

How do you want to spend your "golden years"? Do you strive for "freedom 55"? Do you see yourself retiring financially independent? Are you waiting for retirement to "finally live"? Where do you see yourself after the age of 65? I know most don't want to think about it until the time comes. But where do you see yourself?

Why am I asking or writing this blog? Well because I work with the elderly & adults at a LTC facilty....from the age of 20 to 105 years of age. DID YOU KNOW....THAT ABOUT THE LAST 10yrs OF A PERSONS LIFE IS SPENT IN SICKNESS?? Scary, eh?

Keep in mind that this can happen at ANY age. That's why we should do the best we can while we're able to. Life is unpredictable. Some of the people I've seen come & go are there for various reasons....some at no fault of their own. We must take care of ourselves, especially our body....we've only got one.

I've learned a lot while working there for 8.5yrs. I've always assumed only the elderly stay at LTC facilities. I assumed wrong. I've seen a lot. I've cried many times. I've comforted & tried me best to make them comfortable. I've given & received many hugs. And shared a few laughs. It can be an emotionally & physically draining job. Its not always easy. But it can be rewarding in different ways.

Seeing how the mind & body deteriorate as we age, kinda scares me. Who knows how we'll end up. All I know is that I want to be healthy & enjoy a long life. I don't want to be living at a LTC facility to the end...especially when the mind goes. Its really hard to see, especially withe dementia & alzheimers....they are living in the past, sometimes the not so good time of their life

Its opened my eyes to many things & made me realize that you can't plan for sickness. We assume, or we don't want it to "happen to us". Life doesn't work that way! We must appreciate what we can do for ourselves. I'm not saying that we all will end up at aLTC facilty. But some of us will. Never take your health for granted!

Never get old?.....that's what I hear a lot from the residents. Its kinda funny when they say that. When I look at them I see lots of things....fro. the...make the best of it, to giving up. When you lose your freedom & independence...it also eats up their spirit of life. I should know I've seen different "faces of death".

Its heartbreaking to see certain things. Its heartwarming to see certain things. I've seen the good, the bad, & the ugly. I've learned that all I can do is, is do the best I can do. Its not always easy especially when there's certain things you can't control. Which it can sometimes make it harder. You want to do more but you can't. Sometimes there's not enough time, or enough staff.

Sometimes I wish I had/have more time to spend doing their care. To talk to them. To make them comfortable & feel at home. I may not be able to spend the same amount with each & every resident all the time, but I do my best. To me they are someones loved one. This may be their last home. I look into their eyes & see so much. It sometimes makes me sad, when I can't do more.