My dad is 92 and lives with my mom at an independent senior facility. My sister and I are very involved to allow them to have their apartment they enjoy there. My dad has always been very active always working a couple of jobs and his own businesses. When the newsletter came out and said they were looking for volunteers to run the very small store in the building he jumped at the opportunity. For a week he made trips to the front desk looking for Stella to sign up when he finally found her she told him she did not need any help. Unknown to him I called the director and asked why they ask for volunteers and then turn them down. The store is an activity to let residents ..”have a job”. Never got a call back but left my message and the next day he got a call that they could use his help after all.
Dad wears hearing aids, has very limited vision, needs a walker for mobility. And does a lot of cat napping. The store is actually a very small room with a few things like toothpaste, etc . There are only a couple of volunteers so if no one is in there the door stays open and the woman next door to it leaves her door open to keep an eye on it if anyone should come up. Yesterday Stella came to him and said we really need to watch out for shoplifters and I think sometimes you fall asleep so I don’t think I need your help.
Am I too oversensitive? I watch him lay out his clothes one day a week for his “ job day “ (1 hour) brought home their price list so he could enlarge it so he could see it . Now at 92 he has been “fired” for the first time in his life after working since he was 12 yo. at a volunteer position. He said don’t worry about it but I am so angry! I did not expect this at a facility that he pays to live that is supposed to be about providing the seniors with experiences and opportunities to keep them active.
should I say something or am I being too sensitive?
Instead of litigating that battle, why not work with the facility so your dad has a job he can do and still catnap? Like finding and posting a joke or a tip or picture once or twice a week. You and your sister can print out a bunch of them and he can pick and post once or twice a week. Good for everyday, special for the holidays
If you only have volunteers, supervisors should be trained to be able to change the duties to keep up with the abilities of a senior not to discard them.
One hour, what he can he do: possible dust the shelves, arrange the items on the shelves, do some inventory, maybe even stock the shelves if needed.
My Dad was an owner of a small grocery store. The individuals at the day center gave him "busy" work to keep him occupied and give him a reason to get up in the morning. He loved it. He was also around your dad's age.
Maybe you could offer the problem with a solution. GOD BLESS!
It's a room in an AL facility. The residents who live there are paying thousands of dollars a month to be residents there. If a roll of toilet paper or a tube of toothpaste goes missing, I hardly think it will bankrupt the AL. It's not a real job it's an activity to give the residents something to do.
I would most definitely say something to this "Stella" person and tell her that she was pretty harsh to your father and that was totally uncalled for.
It sounds as if your dad is better off without this particular job and since dad told you to stay out of it, I'd stay out of it. Maybe there are other things dad is suited to volunteer for at his community.
Good luck.
Maybe this is why they are having a hard time finding volunteers to work??
She hopefully met with your dad after he moved in, to see what activities he was interested in and what his health and physical limitations might be. I think it's likely the volunteer position running the store is physically not a good fit for your dad. Receipts likely need to be handwritten and note each purchase, resident name, room #, and dollar total. If your dad's vision is compromised this task might not be possible. If he's a catnapper and no one comes in to shop during his assigned time, he might doze off...then Ed from room 201 tippy-toes in and raids the candy shelf!
As others have suggested, hopefully there is another area that your dad your offer his time and energy? I sure feel for you and your concerns and hope your dad settles in and there is a way for him to contribute!
I think you ought to pen a kind letter to the Director so that he/she can remind the staff of why they are there in the first place. Maybe you can save another resident from this kind of treatment.