Got a job helping an elderly couple. Survived the first week!
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
July 5, 2009 8:56am CST
I didn't know if I was going to survive the first day. They kept changing their minds and arguing with each other. Actually, he can't make up his mind and she starts arguements with him. So I stand around and wait for them to quit arguing. Actually, I stopped standing around and started dusting.
Examples: On the phone: Come to work at 7. No 8. How about 9? 7 is early, but you can get more done. 8, 9 (etc. extolling the virtues of each one). Over and over again until I picked one. I said 8. Later on in the conversation, repeated all this. Told him, "8, will be there at 8." Later on, called me back and asked when I was coming. "8, definitely 8"
At the house, "I'll pay you today. No, I'll pay you Friday. Today maybe, Friday definitely." I didn't even get into that.
She spoke for 15 minutes about things that had nothing to do with the job. He tried to tell me what he wanted done. She growled at him, "You always interrupt me. Let me finish!" Then proceded for another 5 minutes to finish a story about neighbors that I don't know of hers and really I don't care to know. I don't even live in the same town. During that time, I could have been working. A little later, this happened again, but war broke out because he decided he would be heard!
By the end of the week, I knew some things to do, so when they did this stuff, I would dust, water plants, mop a floor, anything. Eventually, they call me back and tell me what they wanted me to do. If there is a multiple choice question, I generally pick something and stick to it so the decision is made. If they argue, I go to a different part of the place and work, then come back when they're done.
So I survived. At the end of the week, they said, "Well, you survived both of us, not many people can for some reason." Gee I wonder what that would be.
Actually, when they aren't driving me crazy, they have a wonderful sense of humor and can be quite interesting. But if I'm not careful, we could all be telling stories and the home would never get clean. We're all storytellers.
Have you ever had someone you worked for who couldn't make up his or her mind? Someone who often argued? Often didn't let anyone get a word in edgewise? Have to wait for orders while people argued (I had that in a factory once. Two supervisors called me over and then argued about what they wanted me to do in front of me and told me not to leave, just stand there while they argued, at least in this situation, I can do something else)?
2 people like this
6 responses
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
5 Jul 09
I find couples are harder to deal with than an individual. When I sold pet food, one would want it and the other wouldn't want it. Fortunatly it's against the rules to argue with customers so I just would tell them that I had someone else to talk to or I had to go to the bathroom or something. Individuals want something or they don't. Couples, all the time, one wants something and the other one doesn't or in this case the other one wants something different.
Yes, there is always dusting. Most of the time, I dislike that, but in this case, it comes in handy.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
5 Jul 09
ppy[/em]I hadn't thought of it that way, but true, so true!
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
6 Jul 09
You deserve a gold medal. Don't know how you could stand it. Is this a permanent, full time job? I have had a job where there was some disagreement with my job orders. Finally I simply did what I thought was right and nobody disputed my decision. Makes it hard to work under those conditions and not be stressed.
1 person likes this

@carolbee (16230)
• United States
8 Jul 09
The job sounds very stressful. Bless you for helping people who are lower income that need help. I also see much older couples and think one day that we will be in the same condition. We have children but don't want them to have to help us to the point it's hard on them. Hate the thought of being a burden on anyone. I had to do that for both my parents. Wasn't easy but I survived.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 09
This is a piece of cake compared to watching my Mom die of cancer. Besides, now that I'm settling in and we've got the details straight, they are fun, nice, religious, but open-minded, adorable when not arguing with each other and most of all, appreciative. Every day, they tell me how terrific I am. I don't think I've ever had people who appreciated me sooo much. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. Like right now. Thanks, take care.
1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
6 Jul 09
I do not think I have been in quite that situation, but I am celebrating that you have a job, and that you survived a week.
It seems like you have some excellent skills for dealing with the situation.
I hope you have a great time doing this work, and that being employed lasts for quite awhile for you.
I hope you have a great time doing this work, and that being employed lasts for quite awhile for you.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Thanks for the well-wishes and the encouragement! I need all the help I can get. If this is where I'm meant to be, then I agree with you.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jul 09
No, but as I read this, it sounds like my husband and I fighting..
How embarressing...
How embarressing...
1 person likes this

@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Jul 09
I seriously don't think that is something I should think on..

@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Jul 09
Just think when you're in your late 70s and early 80s, deeply entrenched in your fighting styles.
2 people like this

@ladym33 (10978)
• United States
11 Jul 09
I have never had anyone I worked for act like that. I can see why that would be pretty irritating though. I am glad you survived working for them for a week. Hopefully it will calm down between them for you. At least you will probably have some funny stories about them to tell people. They probably really love each other they have obviously been together a really long time, they probably enjoy arguing.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Yes, many years and I think they like to argue, too. They take turns allowing the other one to win, too.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Jul 09
Yes indeed! I don't know that I have that kind of patience these days. I get enough of old folk drama at home!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Jul 09
The kids I used to work with years ago, one had a t-shirt that said, "Save the Drama for your Mama!"
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Jul 09
That's a good question. I always interpreted it as, "Save it the production for someone who cares." Just a different generation version of that.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Jul 09
What exactly does that mean? Behave appropriately with me but disrespect your mother?







