Life is amazing when shared

One of the greatest joys of doing physical therapy in a nursing home is getting to know the person you are working with. In the craziness of daily life in a skilled nursing facility we sometimes don’t get the chance to have a good conversation with the person next to us. Luckily as a therapist I get the privilege of having a conversation with someone 5 days a week as we spend around 30 mins together every day.

Where is home?

Sometimes all it takes is one simple question……..”Where is home?” That always seems to allow the door to open and begin the conversation that will last you for days. It is amazing how someone will gain confidence in sharing their life with you over the span of time we get the privilege to spend while helping them recover from what could be the worst part of their life.

It is amazing to see the transition from being upset and mad at the situation to sharing life experiences and getting to know about the resident’s life experiences and family. Let me tell you…….everyone has amazing stories to tell. I get to learn about spouses and children, extended families, horror stories of loss and disappointment as well as happy times and life adventures.

Life experiences

I have heard stories about amazing vacations with family such as sailing to the Carribean on the family sailboat to traveling across the country in an RV. I have also heard sad stories of children lost to car accidents and even murder. You really have no idea what will be in store for you as you begin to truly spend time getting to know people. Lives are special and everyone’s different.

I have never developed such close relationships when I worked in outpatient. These residents want to share with you, and it is so easy to be a listing ear when helping them get better at walking and getting up from their wheelchair. It seems the more the improve the more they share!

Two-way Street

Once you establish that relationship, it quickly becomes a two-way street. They want to get to know about you and your life and family. I can’t even keep count how many residents I have worked with over the years actually know about my life and family. They even remember and check on you years down the road!