Do you know how sometimes the energy of someplace familiar seems a little off? That was my therapy cat visit to the assisted living facilities near us this week. Because humans are unpredictable, sometimes it’s just that way.
First the nice parts. You don’t think of assisted living houses as romantic places, but there are two couples at one of the houses we visit. One pair was new to us, a Spanish speaking couple who happily welcomed me when I walked into the community room. My human didn’t even realize they were a couple until she saw them together a little while later. The other couple we’ve seen before. They were sitting on the couch holding hands, and when I stopped by to visit, I laid down right between them. It was cozy.
The other nice part was seeing some familiar friends, like the lady who always asks for high fives, and the one who loves cats and cries sometimes when she sees me. The cat-loving woman looked like she was sleeping, but my human guessed correctly that she was just sort of dozing. She roused herself the moment I sat on the couch, and she was so happy to see me. The man next to her was sitting with his arms folded, but his face lit up when he saw me.
There were also sad moments. A new resident walked around, looking lost and a bit confused. She told my human about her former job as a mental health professional, and it was clear that (like a lot of new residents) she wasn’t exactly overjoyed to be there. Moving into an assisted living house is rarely a happy time and it can be hard.
Then, there was the chaotic part. One man who is usually glad to see me was out of control. He kept screaming incoherently and banging his hand on the couch. Staff told him to quiet down, and he would for a moment, and then start yelling again. He actually almost had to leave the community room. I was probably the only being in the room who wasn’t that disturbed by him. Fortunately, my human took it in stride, so I knew it didn’t concern me.
We visited the second house for a little while too. A couple of women who were sitting in comfy chairs were so thrilled to see me. One woman had almost no jaw, so she was kind of hard for my human to understand. Luckily, her dementia wasn’t severe, so it was possible to have a conversation without too much difficulty. One of the women we often see at this house remembered me by name (she always does), but it was obvious that she is starting to fade. That is always sad. As we were leaving, some EMTs came through the hallways, so something was up with one of the residents. Their ambulance was parked out front.
While I was calm through most of the visit, it was draining for both me and my human. Usually I bounce right back after my therapy visits, but it took me a couple of hours to feel as energized as I normally do.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- One of My Best Assisted Living Visits
- Sometimes the Quiet Therapy Cat Visits are the Best
- Therapy Cat Senior Sunday
Summer you an Miss J are amazin an so kind! Yore werk iss so impawtent. Yore both so calm an brave an that helpss alot!
BellaSita Mum meowed to mee how shee watched her Dementia payshuntss fade an shee told Nursin Sirvice shee werked fore NO MORE Dementia Peepss! It was too hard on her…..
Wee can understand that you both were so drained.
THE Lady who was inn Nursin an iss now inn Assisted Livin touched BellaSita as shee two was inn Nursin an shee nose one day shee will need major help….
It iss a BIG deel to go from Care Gvier to bee Taken Care Of.
Thanx fore all youss’ due!
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{{huggiess}}} BellaSita Mum
Summer, you and your human are so kind and caring to think about and visit others. You two bring love and joy to those that you visit. Last Fall I was in an accident and in the hospital for 5 weeks. It would have made me so happy to have had a visit from a Therapy Cat I love kitties and have three of my own. I missed them so much while there. There needs to be more Therapy Cats like you to bring Love, Joy and Happiness to others. Keep up your good work. Bless you and your Mom! I enjoy your Daily Posts and Blogs so much. Summer, you are a very Special Girl…and a beautiful one too!
We have crazy/chaotic days where I work too…its almost strange to have a totally calm day, LOL!
Its good you can get your stay calm cues from your Human, Summer. Good job!
That sounds like it was quite an eventful visit, Summer. You and your human are bringing so much light into the lives of the people you visit.
Wow ! You and your human being so calm was a big help to the other patients and the staff. Glad things seemed to end ok.
Oh Summer, you are both so brave and kind to do this for these people. I’m watching my sister slowly fading away. She’s very ill. It breaks my heart. I also took care of my mom when she was sick. My siblings wanted her in a facility. I said NO. I had nursing background and was the “baby”. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I understand how difficult it can be to deal with these sad circumstances. You and your human are doing a wonderful thing for these people. Hugs and purrs
I am glad some residents have found love in their old age. XO
They are extremely hard places to visit. You two are angels for what you do!
You were a little beautiful soldier, Summer. Thank you (and your Human) for what you do.
Sorry that it was a stressful visit. Your being there is such a gift of happiness for them.
That had to be a really stressful visit.
As always, you do an amazing job, Summer, whatever the circumstances.
Purrs,
The Chans
Even when things don’t go according to plan, you are needed there. The residents so enjoy your visits and I’m glad you can go. My parents were in assisted living before they passed and I know they would have loved a visit from a therapy cat. It means more to these residents than you know.
Although you didn’t show it, it must have been stressful with that man keep banging the sofa.
Not as easy as many of your visits. At least you went, and added
to the day for many of the people there. You obviously found this
visit more stressful than usual. Thanks for the good works.
Summer, it is so good that you are able to bring joy to people in senior or assisted living places.
I imagine it can be hard too as often the people are not quite at their best as they get older.
You deserve lots of snuggles, pets and treats for the work you do. Your human too.
Purrs, Julie
I know it is rough to go to the assisted living homes – but I can tell from your story how much joy it brings the residents. Bless you for doing this