The resilience of the human spirit

Hello. I'm Maana, a caregiver.

Today, I'd like to write about something I always feel after working in a nursing home for 15 years.

When people first start using our facility, everyone comes with some anxiety. It must take a lot of courage to go to a new place while living with the after-effects of a stroke or dementia. Some people look nervous, can't eat, or even cry. It's understandable. Even if they understand the situation, their feelings don't always follow. This is even more true for those with dementia.

But what always impresses me is how amazing humans are, in that everyone, little by little, gets used to facility life. This seems to be true regardless of age, after-effects, or illness. I am always surprised by the resilience of humans, who express their unique selves, naturally find their place and role, and adapt. If I were in their shoes, imagining how much energy that would take, I feel a sense of respect for everyone living vibrantly in the facility. It may seem like an ordinary life in a facility, but realizing it's built upon everyone's flexible resilience somehow makes me feel like I need to "work harder" too.