Gomerville

I used to think that Age Care would be depressing: demented, delirious and depressed oldies who can't answer questions about themselves. Which turned out to be true.

Introductions begin with "this young man was transferred to us...". "This young man" is in his 60's. Not surprising considering that the average age of patients on the ward approaches 83. General #3+ reckons he's considered a teenager by these standards.

This being the 3rd week, i've begun to feel the gaiety in the ward. The consultant is happy, the registrar is happy, the resident is happy.

The patients smile back at you whenever you smile at them. They may not know who you are or what is your purpose but they smile at you nevertheless.

Last week i got to hear for the 1st time, a characteristic shriek from a so called gomer. Stuff of nightmares. It goes, "WaaAAAAaaaAAAA... MAAA... MAAA... MAAA.... NOo... NOo.." She was lying in a single room bed, shaking her fists at the ward staff, poking her tongue out at the consultant.

Today, we met her again, happily sitting in her wheelchair next to a television, looking out of the window on a pleasant day, showing off a skin lesion to her neighbour. This time, she was able to say "Hello, Good Morning!" before going back to her characteristic shriek.

Age Care is really an optimistic place. People get better all the time. At least temporarily, before the LOL go back to their homes and have another fall to fracture another hip and get readmitted.

Well, stuff happens when one's reflexes slow, balance becomes bad, gait borders on waddling, vision is impaired, bones osteoporotic and the house littered with 8 decades worth of junk.

That's where the occupational therapists and physiotherapists come into play.