92 ~ Making Friends & Shopping

By Kay Heitsch

I was blessed to work in this Memory Care Center, where I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people.

I was in a unique position since I was not employed by the facility. Many of the residents' family members came in to visit. I was able to become friends with many of them.

"L"'s family came over to visit often. "L"'s daughter came almost every day. She would bring "L" cookies and whatever she thought she needed. "L" 's son would usually come over on Sunday.

The staff in a memory care facility changes often. I read that the "average turnover rate is 85% to 100% annually." This is not an easy job. However, I met many wonderful and caring staff members and became friends with several of them as well.

I could tell that "L" enjoyed looking her best. She had nice clothes and shoes. Her family brought up a beautiful variety with a large mirror.

Every day, I would wheel "L" up to the vanity, and she would apply her cream and lipstick. I'd put some blush on her cheeks and curl her hair with the curling iron. When needed, I even trimmed her hair and polished her nails. In my opinion, it's essential to try to look your best.

Some residents in memory care facilities are confused about their location. Some believe they are at the mall, and other people's rooms are stores.

At times, I would see someone with an outfit of "L"s over their arm. When questioned, they would say they got it at the mall. I'd wait until they eventually laid it down, and I would put it back in "L"'s closet.

One woman attempted to exit through the side door, by "L" room, triggering the alarm. I peeked out the door and could see she had been "shopping" in someone's room. When I walked up to her, she said, "I thought everything was paid for in here, I guess not."

I kept "L's" clothes on colored hangers to match her outfits. That way, when something was missing, I knew which outfit it was.

I'm sure people who have a loved one in a memory care or nursing home facility wonder why their loved one's clothes come up missing. This may be one reason why.

Working at the memory care center was an interesting experience. I met many people, and several have become lifelong friends.