A Day of Togetherness?

Holidays at the hospital make me sad. Hospitals don't close and someone will be here on those days. Nurses, techs, secretaries, doctors and therapists will be here taking care of sick people instead of sharing the day and making memories with their families. I'm sad for them.

On the other hand, we all (ok most of us) got into the medical field because we want to help, we want to serve, and we want to know that we made a difference for someone. That doesn't change because it happens to be Christmas.

And it's really important that those people are working because the ER tends to be very full on holidays. Mostly elderly people. Two reasons why the elderly come to the hospital on a holiday: 1 They are especially lonely without their spouse on a day of togetherness. 2 Their family doesn't want to deal with them. And this what makes holidays at the hospital the saddest.

People who don't want to keep an eye on Grandma Betty with dementia during dinner or listen to Grandpa Joe tell the same story 6 times bring them to the ER. Trust me, we'll find something wrong with your 88 year old Great Aunt Ethel and admit her. You're off the hook.

They get left here and we get to take care of them while you enjoy your festivities. Don't worry, our cafeteria serves turkey and all the fixin's on Thanksgiving so Grandma won't be missing anything. And if you're the type of person who dumps their elderly family off at the hospital on a holiday I guarantee we'll take better care of her.

So whether they get left here or come in because they're lonely we're here, 24 hours a day seven days a week including holidays. We'll take care of them, keep them company, listen to their stories, give them a hot turkey dinner, decorate their room with ornaments, and sing carols. We'll make sure they know that someone cares about them when they're loved ones aren't around. Sometimes they tear up and squeeze your hand while they say "God bless you, thank you." And that makes me happy.