Last Thursday, like I mentioned before, I had my care plan review here at the long-term care facility. It was my first one, even though I’ve been living here for two years, because last year’s got canceled due to COVID. As we were discussing my progress over the past two years and my wishes for the future, I said that I’m about 95% sure I want to stay here. That’s huge for me, as I’ve been constantly on the lookout for another place to move to particularly over the past year.
This brings me to today’s prompt in the 31-day writing challenge: content. I at first wasn’t sure what to write about on this word. I mean, I wanted to write why I’m content living here, but somehow it felt kind of off. Then I read Lesley’s contribution to the challenge, Contentment Without Complacency, and realized that being content where you are doesn’t mean there’s no ground for improvement. So, with no further ado, I’m going to share why I’m content living in my current care facility.
First of all, I love the way my staff support me. As regular readers of this blog will know, I’ve had quite the journey through the care system. I resided in a mental hospital for 9 1/2 years, where there was constant pressure on meeting goals and getting better. Before that, I lived on my own and, before that, in a training home. As the name suggests, it was heavily focused on independence training.
For those not aware, my current care facility primarily caters to people with an intellectual disability. All other clients in my specific home have severe to profound intellectual disabilities. For this reason, my staff are used to helping them with everyday activities such as mealtimes, personal care, etc.
They are also used to clients needing staff to realize that correcting challenging behavior will not be effective. Whereas in the mental hospital, I used to be often left to my own resources if I’d done something self-destructive, now my staff provide me with affectionate care. This might be seen as reinforcing the behavior, but in my experience, quite the opposite is true.
In addition to liking my staff’s care approach, I like my fellow clients’ lack of social expectations of me. One of my fellow clients will occasionally come to my room asking me to wish him goodnight, but other than that, the clients hardly interact with me. One wish for the future that I voiced at my care plan review, is more interaction with other people, particularly those of higher intellectual level. I do have a couple of friends in other care homes that are part of the complex, whom I talk to when going to the day center or when outside. I however am grateful that I don’t live with these people 24/7.
I also like my room. Some staff call it an apartment, since I have my own bathroom and small kitchenette. I also have my own balcony. I honestly haven’t had a better room in any of my previous places in the healthcare system.
Overall, the reason I’m not 100% sure I want to stay here, doesn’t seem to have to do with my facility itself. It is rather related to my own anxieties and insecurities. Of course, things could always be better, but that doesn’t mean I’m not content exactly where I am right now.
A Multitude of Musings 
Good luck in your decision. I found out two days ago I’ve been accepted at a subsidized apartment complex being built. It’s supposed to be more handicapped equipped than my current one. Fingers crossed 👍🏻
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Oh, that sounds great! As for my decision, as long as I don’t actively decide I want to leave this place, no-one is going to kick me out, thankfully.
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I am glad you are content in your care facility.
It sounds like now the pressure of trying to reach goals has been removed you are a lot happier. The staff really do sound wonderful. x
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Thank you. Yes, my staff are truly wonderful indeed! As for the pressure having been removed, indeed that does help me a lot. I mean there are still goals, but they are more like things the staff are supporting me with rather than tasks I need to complete.
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This is a good and useful distinction: “Of course, things could always be better, but that doesn’t mean I’m not content exactly where I am right now.” I sometimes lose track of that. Thanks!
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I needed to make that distinction consciously too or I would have lost track as well. Thank you for commenting. I’m glad the reminder helped you.
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I’m glad you are content where you are and that you have staff who look after you well!
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Thanks! I’m so happy about this too.
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I’m glad that you are in a place that you are doing better!
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Thank you. 🙂 I’m glad about it too.
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Being happy where you are is such a blessing and I’m so glad you are happy there.
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Thank you. 🙂
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It sounds like the right place for you at this time, and your room sounds amazing. It’s good to know that there are some good places out there and that you have the final choice on if you want to move or make changes about your care.
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Thank you so much. Yes, I’m really happy that I can stay here as long as I want to.
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I’m glad you feel content where you are right now!
xoxo
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Thanks. I’m happy about this too.
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If staying is right for you, it’s better to stay. Moving is a really big task anyway, and when you aren’t settled into the home, you always find so many quirks and issues.
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Agree completely. I’m now pretty much settled into my current care home and, if I move, I’ll have to settle all over again.
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