Hello Everyone,
I had quite a hectic week at work and often contemplate writing a book about the events that unfold in my building. However, for now, I'll stick to making a post.
It's important to note that the residents in my building are aged 62 and over. While it is a Senior building, it is NOT assisted living, we do not provide healthcare. Some residents are affluent, while others rely on homeless vouchers provided by various programs in Washington to combat homelessness. The building hosts a diverse group of individuals, with aging being the common denominator.
Last Week's Events:
Chris
It all started Friday, Aug 12, when a resident, whom I'll refer to as Chris, came to the office to inform me that he was heading to the hospital and would be absent for a few days. He confided that his days were numbered and expressed his gratitude for my presence and care for the residents. Unfortunately, Chris had severe health issues, and it was evident that his time was limited.
On Saturday, Aug 19, I received the sad news that Chris had passed away in his unit. It turned out that he had received distressing news about his health at the hospital, left against medical advice, and quietly returned to his unit where he passed away.
I braced myself for a challenging Monday, anticipating residents' reactions and the administrative tasks of filing reports and restoring the unit.
Monday
I arrived early on Monday, only to be greeted by another drama. The previous night, two men had engaged in a heated verbal altercation, which escalated to threats on each other's lives.
Calvin vs. Vincent and Nephew
Both men sent me emails detailing the incident, which involved them moving from one area of the building to another, yelling and threatening each other. Both had military backgrounds and were strong, respectable black men, but their argument spiraled out of control. Interestingly, their accounts matched, except for their perception of who was right.
Although the conflict remained verbal, with no damage to property or physical harm, the security company should have been called when the trespassers were discovered. Instead, the uncle and the gentleman who found the trespassers ended up arguing throughout the entire six-story building for hours!
Consequently, both received notices that their behavior violated their leases, resulting in a 30-day notice. If no further issues arise, they will be allowed to stay in the building.
After reviewing the video footage and speaking to both men, I started my reports and proceeded with my day.
Joyce Vs. Michelle
Shortly after, I received a lengthy and rather bizarre email from Joyce (name changed for privacy), a 68-year-old woman with a fiery temperament. Joyce frequently clashes with other residents and me. Despite this, I have a soft spot for her. She and another active woman in her 70s, Michelle, had a confrontation in the garage. Michelle was walking through the garage while Joyce was parking. Neither yielded, leading to an incident where Michelle banged on the hood of Joyce's car as she tried to enter the garage. Joyce was concerned about the gate closing on her car and continued to move forward, while Michelle felt Joyce was trying to run her over.
Both women adamantly claimed that the other was the threat and that their behavior was faultless. Naturally, they both demanded the other's eviction.
After watching the video footage and suppressing a chuckle at the pettiness of the altercation, I informed them that I could either issue both a 30-day notice or dismiss the incident entirely. Unsurprisingly, neither was satisfied with my decision. Following a barrage of insults from Joyce, they eventually moved on.
Wednesday:
Steve vs. Alma
The building has a community room equipped with a TV. Since many residents live alone, it is common to find them congregating there, enjoying each other's company. One elderly gentleman, whom I'll call Steve, is either slightly senile or passive-aggressive, perhaps both. He has a habit of commandeering the remote control when others want to watch different channels. Alma, a delightful and spirited resident, is struggling with the challenges of aging, loneliness, and financial constraints. She is a petite woman with silver hair who takes pride in her appearance, dressing up daily, even if she only plans to sit in the community room. Due to inflation, Alma recently had to cancel her cable subscription and decided to watch TV in the community room instead. However, she and Steve often quarrel over the channel selection, and Steve persistently steals the remote. In a surprising outburst of frustration, Alma snatched the remote from Steve, changed the channel, lowered the volume, and, when Steve protested, hurled the remote in his direction before storming out.
Friday:
Anti-Trump Drama
On Friday morning, I received the following email:
Despite the tangible conflicts occurring, this resident was alarmed by a man wearing a cowboy hat and an empty holster who cordially greeted her. She feared he might be a Trump supporter, and therefore, potentially dangerous. Although I am not a Trump supporter and am not looking forward to another four years of his presidency, the hysteria surrounding Trump Derangement Syndrome is palpable.
I responded by assuring her that we adhere to all King County laws and do not consider political affiliation in our policies.
Alan vs. Olga
On Friday, I took the building staff out for lunch. Upon our return, we found a car parked in the space reserved for emergency vehicles. This spot also facilitates easy access to the sidewalk for those in wheelchairs. Despite clear signage indicating that parking is prohibited, Olga parked her car there. Alan, my maintenance man, placed a notice on her windshield, giving her 20 minutes to move her vehicle or face towing. Olga was infuriated and began yelling at Alan. I was about to intervene when the elevator doors opened, and a man called for help as his father, a resident, had collapsed inside. I immediately called 911 and instructed Olga to move her car before the ambulance arrived, averting another potential drama. Fortunately, the gentleman in the elevator recovered; he experienced low blood sugar and received on-site treatment.
Minor disputes among the residents are common, but last week was unusually fillws with conflicts. I am unsure if the stress from Chris's passing, a full moon, or other factors contributed to the heightened tensions.
In summary, aging, financial constraints, and living in isolation on a fixed income during inflationary times present significant challenges for the elderly. These struggles were evident in the various conflicts that arose in the building, from Alma having to cancel her cable subscription to Steve and Alma's argument over the TV remote. The emotional toll of losing friends and neighbors, like Chris, might also exacerbate tensions. It is imperative to approach these situations with empathy and understanding, recognizing the underlying struggles that may contribute to seemingly trivial conflicts. Additionally, the impact of political divisions and public discourse should not be underestimated, as seen in the resident's concern about a potential Trump supporter. These incidents highlight the need for compassionate and thoughtful engagement with the elderly population, who face a myriad of challenges in their daily lives.
All names have been changed to protect the guilty and the innocent. lol. All photos are stolen from the Internet.
Hope you are all well, tell me your thoughts in the comments.
