One of the most powerful and influential personality traits that is seen occasionally in a Nursing home resident is a true positive attitude.
Surrounded by frustration and disappointment
Most frequently we see frustration and disappointment emanating from our residents when they first admit to the Nursing home for short term rehab. They have had their entire world flipped upside down. Suddenly they are not home, unable to go home, and separated from their loved ones.
This is further exacerbated when an illness or injury significantly effects their freedoms and mobility. Suddenly they need help with every aspect of their life. This can be a very traumatic moment of their lives when simply getting to the bathroom is like jumping over the grand canyon.
But.. Occasionally there is that one resident
Some people just have a natural light to them. No matter what life hands them they can take it in stride and actually naturally inspire everyone around them. These residents not only help to brighten the lives of the residents around them but also for the staff.
It amazes me when we are lucky enough to have one of these shining starts admit, how quickly they change the whole dynamics of the room. They seem to breathe life and energy into the room. They seem to inspire the people around them, even when their disability is more pronounced than those around them.
This phenomenon gets even more pronounced when you actually hear comments from other residents you are working with. When they actually verbally express how much they admire or are inspired by the person.
Not just for the residents
These wonderful human beings not only affect the residents. As a therapist they seem to reinvigorate us. They help us through a rough patch or a rough day when working with them. The positivity just seems to flow into you. It not only makes you feel it, but it seemes to amplify and carries over to your other treatments.
Their positivity gives the whole room a boost that lasts for much longer than the short time they are actively working in the therapy room. It seems to linger on through multiple treatments and makes a further positive impact on a resident that might not have even known them yet.
I can only hope to be like that person
I myself can get frustrated and beaten down by some of the negative emotions and situations we have to deal with on a daily basis. I truely hope that throughout my career, each shining star that touches my life, makes enough of a change in me to become like them. I know that I have become more positive over the years from my experiences. I just hope that I am lucky enough to continue to be changed and become just like one of those shining lights.
So go ahead and let yourself be vulnerable and changed by these angels. Allow them to make you better therapists, a better spouse, a better friend, a true shining light for this world. Thank you to all the shining lights that have touched my life and changed me. Hopefully I will be a positive change for someone myself.
