Blog Feed: The Older Man

What It Is Like Working For Hospice?

Published on 2011-11-20 22:26:04

I worked eight years for hospice, as a home social worker visiting dying patients and families in their homes. Interesting would not be a word to describe what I did, but life changing would fit the bill. Hospice has a mission statement, organizational chart, department heads, a budget, and a board of directors. They receive [...] > read more

Americans And Japanese Prepare For Mother Nature Differently

Published on 2011-03-19 20:27:11

The earthquake and tsunami, which destroyed Japan is over, but the threat from the nuclear power plants is on going. Radiation is leaking, putting thousands in danger, and causing massive evacuations. The Japanese government and other countries are d > read more

Terminal Disease – All Fight Some Surrender

Published on 2011-03-09 21:18:30

When a person is diagnosis with a terminal disease, the first thing they tell their loved ones and friends is they are going to fight, and beat the disease. Nobody wants to die and this approach is helpful as it instills a positive attitude, which he > read more

The Backyard Mechanic Will Soon Be Gone

Published on 2011-02-25 21:06:20

When I saw the oil, appear on my garage floor it was time to visit my mechanic, Jerry. He is the only person for the past fifteen years who has worked on my car – because he is honest, guarantees his work, and has become my friend. Growing up, mech > read more

Will Killing Trees Make Up For A Football Lose?

Published on 2011-02-20 21:42:43

  A 62-year-old University of Alabama (UA) football fan, Harvey Updyke Jr., contacted a radio talk show and confessed on air that he poisoned two-century-old trees in Auburn, Alabama. He committed this alleged act in retaliation for the lose UA suff > read more

Passion The Weapon Violence Cannot Conquer

Published on 2011-02-16 20:44:05

The youth of Egypt with assistance from the social networks Twitter and Facebook drove a thirty-year dictator out of office with minimal violence. Their goal was freedom from tyranny and the ability to set up a new democratic government. The world wa > read more

Fear Of Addiction Leads To Uncontrolled Pain

Published on 2011-02-13 21:40:18

A major issue for hospice patients is pain control. Society’s addiction fear, physicians, and fear of losing control exacerbate this. However, pain is the emperor of mind and body control and the longer it reigns the harder it is to control. Addict > read more

A Coach Steps Up While A Bank Steps Down

Published on 2011-02-09 22:10:49

The University of Wake Forest baseball coach, Tom Walter gave one of his kidneys to freshman Kevin Jordan who is suffering from an autoimmune disease. This was possible because of the rare blood type they share. Tom’s generosity taught us ̷ > read more

What Did Non-Football Watchers Do During The Super Bowl?

Published on 2011-02-07 22:07:46

Contrary to popular belief, millions do not watch football, and for them it was a normal Sunday night. As I was watching the Super Bowl, I wondered what they were doing. It was a quiet week for them, as they … Continue reading → > read more

Some Moments Require No Words

Published on 2011-02-04 22:24:41

  A few days ago, I experienced this moment in the grocery store. Coming down the aisle toward me was a lady pushing a cart, we stopped in unison grabbing an item from the shelf, turning back, and looking into … Continue reading → > read more

Is There A Time Limit On Grief?

Published on 2011-02-02 22:43:33

I would visit with significant others a month after a loved one’s death to determine if they would benefit from our bereavement programs. The one question that I was constantly asked was, “How long should I grieve?” The reason grieving people a > read more

What Death Taught Me About Acceptance

Published on 2011-01-31 22:12:40

  I had the unique opportunity to work eight years, as a hospice social worker, caring for patients who were dying in their homes. I met people from all walks of life – the wealthy, and poorest of the poor, all ages, religions, and education leve > read more

Mandatory Meetings – Divide Management And Staff

Published on 2011-01-28 09:40:40

Stop, and think for a moment about the times you get to work and find fliers pinned up in the workstations stating; mandatory meeting for all staff at eight am. Remember when meetings were informal get together with friends, co-workers, or families t > read more

‘For The Cure’ Becomes A Foundation Of Self-Perpetuation

Published on 2011-01-26 21:06:07

  It started with an idea during a life-changing event when Susan B. Komen contracted breast cancer. She was a selfless individual who believed one person had the power to change the world and a cure for breast cancer was her number one priority. He > read more

Would You Give Someone The Shirt Off Your Back?

Published on 2011-01-24 22:41:03

  Would you literally give someone the shirt off your back? When a wealthy individual donates money, they are altruistic, and see themselves as benevolent. When a person of modest means gives money away, they are generous, and see themselves as char > read more

I Am Sick Of This Shit – Literally and Figuratively

Published on 2011-01-21 22:46:16

How many times have you heard other people say; I am sick of this shit? Figuratively Shit is a metaphor for everything that drives us batty, adds pizzazz, grabs people’s attention, and that is why we use it. As soon as you hear this term, you know > read more

What Would You Do If Time Out Failed?

Published on 2011-01-19 21:04:11

Growing up, my father was the disciplinarian, his punishments were quick and painful, but he felt it was the way to teach his lessons. The one type of discipline that never entered his mind was a time out, which today is in vogue. All my daughters u > read more

Do You Have A Nickname?

Published on 2011-01-16 23:04:05

Giving someone a nickname is an exact science, which has strict rules to follow. For the amateurs among you the best resource book is Nicknames, The How, Why, And When Is the Best Time to Use Them, The Worst Time to Use Them, The Sometimes to Use The > read more

We Should Presume Before We Assume

Published on 2011-01-14 22:51:28

You and a few friends are standing in front of the mall waiting for a friend, when one says I assumed he would be here. You and your friend are talking about Lady Gaga’s new video and assume because it is on u tube she has seen it. You work for > read more

The 5 W’s Of Mamby Pamby Land

Published on 2011-01-12 21:50:08

I was curious about Mamby Pamby Land after watching the Geico commercial with the sergeant. Its purpose is to sell insurance with him acting like a psychiatrist treating someone with no self-confidence. After an exhaustive internet search, I have fou > read more

5 Reasons People Can Not Give Loved Ones Permission To Die

Published on 2011-01-10 22:28:28

The hardest thing for loved ones is to tell their dying family member; it is all right to die. Patients often need sanction to die as they continue to live for their families, and must know they will be okay when they are gone. Working for hospice, t > read more

Politically Correct Words Are Intellectually Impaired

Published on 2011-01-07 22:14:28

Perusing the list of politically correct words has thrown me into a quandary on when to use them. I want to be correct writing my posts, as I do not want to offend any race, color, creed, and religious belief, criminal, crazy person, handicapped indi > read more

Dying – The Perception Of Time

Published on 2011-01-05 22:36:43

Lack of time is the one common denominator all hospice patients must deal with. Death is coming, the exact time is unknown, and each minute becomes precious. Time slows down but seems to pass quicker, as traditional time no longer interests them. Vis > read more

Overstepping Your Bounds

Published on 2011-01-03 20:59:40

In the late 70′s, I was a hospital social worker, and worked with the local priest who visited patients. Father Joe would come into my office and we would discuss how he could help the patients after discharge. He stopped by one morning and tol > read more

New Year’s Resolution

Published on 2010-12-31 22:10:38

  As the older man stood in line at the grocery checkout, he overheard two women discussing their New Year’s resolutions. It was the usual weight loss for the woman in the red hat and the lady in the blue hat wanted to improve her job performa > read more