For the last 4 months, I worked as an activity coordinator for the Alzheimer's unit of an assisted living facility. I absolutely LOVED the residents and the work. It wasn't easy at first, but I found my stride and soon I looked forward everyday to making the residents laugh, to connecting with them, to helping put meaning in their lives, not just looking at them as a way for me to take home a paycheck.

Then, I got fired. In a nutshell, it was because I cared too much. And because my immediate boss was a psychotic, pathological liar who only cared about new shoes and power suits and had the bigger boss fooled (or perhaps was sleeping with him). I was onto the fact that she did very, very little work at all and a number of other "issues" she had that made her basically unfit to be in the job she held. And though I tried hard to keep my mouth shut, I finally caved in. That's when I was handed a "performance evaluation" that was completely falsified. When I wouldn't sign it, I was asked for my badge.

It is SO sad because it's the residents who will suffer. One day I was there, making progress with even the most difficult residents, and then I am gone. Though I do know most will forget me. I know there's no one there who will make the effort I did to connect with them, at least for the moment.

Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit. But I was good with them. I could communicate without missing a beat whenever what they said made mostly no sense at all. I could change their moods from anger to calm in split seconds. I made them laugh.

Anyone, just wanted to tell this story, because I really did find a niche' that I want to return to...it was a job where my ADD was actually a benefit. I could be creative, and I could digress from subject to subject and no one minded. Most of my day was spent talking, encouraging, finding ways to boost their self-esteem.

The folks there gave me ALOT in return. I couldn't have found more loving, kind, appreciative people. I hope I find some more...

For the last 4 months, I worked as an activity coordinator for the Alzheimer's unit of an assisted living facility. I absolutely LOVED the residents and the work. It wasn't easy at first, but I found my stride and soon I looked forward everyday to making the residents laugh, to connecting with them, to helping put meaning in their lives, not just looking at them as a way for me to take home a paycheck.

Then, I got fired. In a nutshell, it was because I cared too much. And because my immediate boss was a psychotic, pathological liar who only cared about new shoes and power suits and had the bigger boss fooled (or perhaps was sleeping with him). I was onto the fact that she did very, very little work at all and a number of other "issues" she had that made her basically unfit to be in the job she held. And though I tried hard to keep my mouth shut, I finally caved in. That's when I was handed a "performance evaluation" that was completely falsified. When I wouldn't sign it, I was asked for my badge.

It is SO sad because it's the residents who will suffer. One day I was there, making progress with even the most difficult residents, and then I am gone. Though I do know most will forget me. I know there's no one there who will make the effort I did to connect with them, at least for the moment.

Maybe I'm giving myself too much credit. But I was good with them. I could communicate without missing a beat whenever what they said made mostly no sense at all. I could change their moods from anger to calm in split seconds. I made them laugh.

Anyone, just wanted to tell this story, because I really did find a niche' that I want to return to...it was a job where my ADD was actually a benefit. I could be creative, and I could digress from subject to subject and no one minded. Most of my day was spent talking, encouraging, finding ways to boost their self-esteem.

The folks there gave me ALOT in return. I couldn't have found more loving, kind, appreciative people. I hope I find some more...You and I need to get together and talk. Yesterday I got fired from my job also, and yes I was an activity coordinator too. the reasons i was given was lack of job knowlage and safty issues. But to put it in a nut shell my boss was intimidated by me. there were activity groups that I did that if any one else tried to do them, well the residents would not come. I cared too and not to raise my own flag, I was good with them and they liked me. I feel like a hole has been made in my heart right now, like i lost a dear friend. I really hope you can find another job like the one you just had because it is very good and good for the soul.

Wow Lunas, that is some coincidence!

Sounds like you had a nutty boss, too! Mine had severe control issues and most likely Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I felt somewhat doomed from the beginning, but kept working on ways to get around things. I didn't even have to do much organizing and minimum paperwork. My strength was engaging the residents--something I could do and she could not. It was pure jealousy.

The key to success with ADD, I've read and believe, is finding the right spouse and right job--that's all, ha!

I read an interesting article that in today's workplace employers know that getting fired is very often not related to competence but to personality clashes. So I plan on telling the truth when and if asked by future employers.

I really wish I could find a way (and develop a plan and follow through) to "freelance" activities to assisted living residences. Unfortunately, most owners of these places are just doing the bare minimum to get by state requirements or are only interested in activities with a "marketing angle".

I'm in Florida and we're crammed with these places, although I don't relish the idea of trying to find the "right fit". It's just a trial and error and it ripped my heart out to get so close to these residents and just disappear. But by the same token, if this work makes your heart sing, then I say "go for it"....money is NOT everything.

I wish you the very best!

Sandi

I would say our passions, some for what is right and what is wrong, can get us in trouble. I lost a client I was working with as a caregiver, because I asked too many questions about things I saw that were not right, ultimately putting this man's life in danger. I was the one that got the boot.

Regardless, there are many places for those of us with a passion for providing quality personal care that touches lives, and I have no doubt that you will find your place again very soon. Special people need those like you two!

You hit on a very important point--we see things that are "not right'. That has happened to me in every job I've ever had. And from the outset, I knew this would be no different. I should work for the Attorney General or consumer protection, but I'm not detail-oriented enough---big surprise, ha! And I wouldn't be able to take all the steps necessary to put the bad guys behind bars---I tend to go from A to Z rather quickly!

Thanks for the kind words:)

SandiRella, I had always thought about going into some type of detective work, because things "not right" really bother me, and I put a lot of energy into them. I thought I might enjoy some kind of criminal investigative work, but like you, probably couln't get through it all before something else came up that "wasn't right!" Heehee.

"really wish I could find a way (and develop a plan and follow through) to "freelance" activities to assisted living residences. Unfortunately, most owners of these places are just doing the bare minimum to get by state requirements or are only interested in activities with a "marketing angle"."

you know there may be a way to do that. Right now regulations are changing all over the country and many many places do not know how to come up with activities that are resident driven, somewhow we should be able to tap into that population and make a job out of it. sound dumb or is this a stroke of pure intilect;) Leet me know what your ideas are and Ill let you know mine.

Oh of course, it's pure intellect! We ADDer's are brilliant and always look for a silver lining, it seems

Every state has guidelines and then there are federal guidelines, I believe. I like working with the beginning to mid-stage Alzheimer's residents....did you work in a nursing home? I think we'd have to put together a plan, a portfolio, references, what we could do (focus on our strengths--mine wasn't bingo....lol), etc. and then market ourselves, door to door most likely. We'd work as sub-contractors and go to several facilities a week--I think Florida's requirement is only 10 hours of scheduled activities per week, but I could be wrong. We had folks come in to give a painting class or pottery class and they got $65 for one hour. My forte' was getting everyone involved in a conversation and laughing--sorta like a talk show atmosphere. I thought I could call myself "Okra"...:) Ha!

Thanks for the encouragement---so cool, in a way, that we crossed paths at this juncture!

Sandi

my strengths are crafts, cooking, and any thing that is done creating things. I really liked being able to find ways to adapt the activity to the level of the resident. For example for a resident that could not hold a piece of paper down to paint or color on it I would tape it and a stencil to the table, and let him or her paint the stencil. I know it sounds like it would be childish but you would not believe the artistic expresions that can still be brought out by this. Resident to resident interaction was key also. Say in a cooking group you had two residents, one that could see but could not use his or her hands and anothet that could not see but could use his or her hands, i would put the two of them together and they would coach one another thru what needed to be done. In any of my groups I would not let any one say they could not because of a disability, I would always tell them a disablity does not mean a non ability.

Sounds like you have abilities that others may (secretly or not) envy. Or at the least not put as much weight on as say, dotting ALL your i's and crossing ALL your t's---and that is a damn shame! I think that's part of the ADD brain makeup; granted all ADDer's are not alike...but it's that empathy and ability to see and do whatever it takes to help another person succeed, if even in seemingly small ways. I think there's probably a fair amount of projection there, maybe wishing someone would treat us in that same way.

so how goes things with you? Any more thoughts on the consulting idea? Have been trying to send postitive thoughts your way. As far as people evying me for talents I have a hard time with that concept, my self esteme is not that high, never has been. but something happend that really made me feel better. I ran into a nursing assistant from my old job. She told me that some of the higher level residents, ones with a lot of pull, are asking for a special resident council meeting on why I got fired. She said she has never seen them act that way before. Now that really helps me. I hope things are going good for you, let us know.

Things are going okay here. I'm exploring doing the same or similiar work for a non-profit organization here. It's hard right now to pull myself up as far as I would need to to present myself as a "consultant" or "freelance" in any kind of confident way. That is SUPER that the residents have gone to bat for you! You know they are the ones that suffer with these things--but that suffering can't be quantified and the powers that be would rather document your lack of satisfactory "t crossing and i dotting" ...but you never know...I mailed a card to a couple of residents. Maybe you could do that?

Thanks for the support.

Stay strong:)

Sandi

I had a job interview last night. the posistion would be a Supported Employment Specialist. I would be helping adults with devolpmentle issues with jobs and or seisure activities in the comunity. I would not be at one work location but rather go from place to place. it sounds very intresting. I should know by the end of the week if I have an offer or not. Glad to hear that things are going good for you. one thing you may want to do is just apply for a job just to get the interview, no matter if you are going to take it or not. I tell you, last nights interview was what I really needed to boost my moral up a notch or two. I now have more confidance to go out and really keep looking.

You hit on a very important point--we see things that are "not right'. That has happened to me in every job I've ever had. And from the outset, I knew this would be no different. I should work for the Attorney General or consumer protection, but I'm not detail-oriented enough---big surprise, ha! And I wouldn't be able to take all the steps necessary to put the bad guys behind bars---I tend to go from A to Z rather quickly!

Thanks for the kind words:)
You got that right! We are not the types to stick our heads in the sand (or elsewhere, for that matter) and ignore the obvious. ADDers are "Problem Solvers" and brainstormers and are not afraid to be whistleblowers, either. Someone once said to me, "Just do your job and keep your mouth shut!" (It wasn't a co-worker.....) and I laughed at the ludicrous idea of being one of those who don't or won't stand up for what is right and not go along with what's wrong, much less, illegal! :mad: