As many of you know last month I lost Norma, my Pearl of the Orient, the love of my life. Norma was also the inspiration for many a Squirrel Pie tale. Norma claimed she hated me chronicling her madcap escapades, but then would turn around and do something just as hilarious or relate some other adventure from her past. So I think I just keep dredging them up simply for the pleasure of keeping her forever fresh in my mind. Where to start?
In 2005 or was in 06 after being retired for a number of years, Norma was seconded by the Ministry of Health to run Rainycrest Home after it had failed to maintain standards of operation and was ‘taken over’ by the Ministry. The goal was to bring it back into compliance. A daunting task that would require all her nursing management and communication skills.
At the time Norma was having a problem with her knees and required the use of a cane. On her first day on an inspection trip down the hall she was approached by an elderly gentleman.
“Hi I’m Bill. You’re new here. What room are you in? How about coming down to my room for a visit? I’ll show you some of my etchings. I’m in room 111,” was the gist of Bill’s line to a fine looking woman.
“Oh I’m sorry Bill, but I’m busy this morning. Why don’t you stop around at my room for coffee this afternoon. Just ask the lady at reception to show you into my room,” Norma explained as Bill grinning from ear to ear imagining his upcoming conquest shuffled off down the hall to prepare for the adventure.
That afternoon at 3:00 on the dot Bill was ushered into Norma’s ‘room’, smiling, dapperly attired and set for a little romance. He became a little confused and then a bit down hearted when he realized Norma was not a ‘new hen in the coop’, but the lady in charge.
Norma and Bill enjoyed their coffee. Then Bill shuffled off to his room and Norma off to Rainy River. Sorry, she’s my girl Bill.
It took Norma only a few months to get things turned around at Rainycrest using her wit and persuasion to work with residents, staff, and compliance officers.
Approaches like:
“You booked off sick this morning, but it’s nice to see you feeling so much better you are enjoying the Emo fair this afternoon. Oh, and about that sick time…”
“Merry Christmas, Mr Smith. Let me put these cards here and this little Christmas tree on your dresser. Well sir you’re right as it is Christmas, I guess it is time for your annual bath.” ….It worked every week
To Ms. Compliance Officer. “More colourful foods! These Residents have eaten meat and potatoes every day for the first 70 years of their life. They won’t drink kale smoothies or eat arugula salads or croissants and granola. They want oatmeal and bread!”
That was the Pearl. And we won’t even go into attire mishaps, a result of early morning dressing in the dark so as not to disturb my beauty sleep.
I admit I was and am a lazy cuss.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
