Almost Home
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
If you are not affiliated with a college or university, and are interested in watching this film, please register as an individual and login to rent this film. Already registered? Login to rent this film. This film is also available on our home streaming platform, OVID.tv.
Almost Home rescues from an exile of denial the real stories of aging that lie in the vast middle between the uber-heroic octogenarian marathoner and the feeble geriatric that most Americans fear becoming. A feature length, cinema-verité film shot on location in a continuing care community that boasts a nursing home transforming its medical (think hospital) model of care into a holistic one (think home), Almost Home is a stunningly intimate film that combines the institution’s struggle to shake the nursing home stigma with tender, sometimes difficult, stories of people who live, work and visit there.
The film follows one couple bonded by Alzheimer’s and another divided by Parkinson’s; children torn between caring for their parents and caring for their children; nursing assistants doing unsavory work for poverty wages while juggling precarious lives at home; healthy elders fearful of moving to the dreaded nursing home; and a visionary nursing home director trying to transform a century-old hospital-like institution into a true home. It all adds up to a dramatic and surprising story about aging where that grips you from the start, never flinches from reality — good and bad — and offers hope where you might have thought there was none.
Citation
Main credits
Lichtenstein, Brad (film producer)
Lichtenstein, Brad (film director)
Lichtenstein, Brad (director of photography)
Gildehaus, Lisa D. (film producer)
Gildehaus, Lisa D. (film director)
Gildehaus, Lisa D. (director of photography)
George, John (interviewee)
Other credits
Editor, Tom Haneke; original music by Vernon Reid.
Distributor subjects
Ageism; Aging; Death and Dying; Community; The 21st Century; Time; Family Issues; Documentary Films; Healthcare, Medicine and Nursing; Illness, Disease and DisordersKeywords
ALMOST HOME Transcript
(Dramatic music begins)
Graphic Onscreen:
MILWAUKEE
Sign Reads:
RESIDENT AND GUEST ENTRANCE
Sign Reads:
ST.JOHN’S ON THE LAKE
Graphic Onscreen:
ALMOST HOME
(medical machine beeping begins)
Graphic Onscreen:
1ST FLOOR – NURSING HOME
Claudia Peters (VO):
YOU CANNOT GO ON THE ELEVATOR.
(music fades)
(background voices mumbling)
Graphic Onscreen:
LLOYD HERROLD, 79
RESIDENT, NURSING HOME
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I’M ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS DARN THING GO WHERE I WANT IT TO GO.
Erika Stoving (sync):
HEY, LLOYD LLOYD!
John George (sync):
UH-OH, WATCH OUT, NOW YOU’RE IN TROUBLE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I GOTTA FIND OUT WHAT MY WIFE’S PLANS ARE.
Erika Stoving (sync):
YOU KNOW WHAT? WE HAVE LUNCH WITH EDITH ON TUESDAYS AND TODAY’S MONDAY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
SO, I SHOULDN’T GO BOTH DAYS?
Erika Stoving (sync):
UH-UH.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc)
OH YES I SHOULD.
Erika Stoving (sync):
COME ON WITH ME.
John George (sync):
YOU GO TOMORROW. TOMORROW SHE HAS LUNCH WITH YOU.
Erika Stoving (sync):
COME ON.
(medical machine beeping fades)
John George (sync):
THERE WAS A VOICEMAIL FROM EDIE HERROLD ABOUT LLOYD. SHE’S VERY CONCERNED. SHE DOES NOT WANT HER HUSBAND IN THAT APARTMENT. SHE’S DESPERATE FOR HELP. HE’S TRYING TO GET UPSTAIRS AND SHE DOESN’T WANT THAT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
SHE DOESN’T WANT HER – SHE DOESN’T WANT HIM IN THE APARTMENT AT ALL?
John George (sync):
NO.
Erika Stoving (sync):
OK.
John George (sync):
SHE’S CONVINCED THAT IF HE GOES UP THERE, THAT HE WON’T COME BACK DOWN – THAT HE”LL
Erika Stoving (sync):
OH, OH, LIKE EVEN TO VISIT OR SOMETHING?
John George (sync):
RIGHT. SHE JUST THINKS HE WON’T WANT TO COME OUT AT ALL, SO SHE’S CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
(background voices mumbling)
Edie Herrold (sync):
HE WAITED SO LONG BEFORE HE WAS WILLING TO HAVE SURGERY –
Graphic Onscreen:
EDIE HERROLD, 80
RESIDENT, INDEPENDENT LIVING
Edie Herrold (sync):
THAT, UH, THE PARKINSON’S WAS JUST AS BAD AS IT COULD GET. SO HIS BODY WAS JUST, UH, SO DAMAGED. HE NEEDS MASSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, AND SPEECH THERAPY. HE REALLY ASSUMED HE WAS GOING TO COME BACK TO THE APARTMENT. HE PROBABLY WON’T GET HERE UNTIL FEBRUARY AT THE EARLIEST, WHICH DOES NOT PLEASE HIM. BUT, YOU KNOW, HE’S - HE’S A VERY STUBBORN INDIVIDUAL. I LOVE HIM DEARLY; OUR FIFTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WAS YESTERDAY. GOD KNOWS I CAN’T TAKE CARE OF HIM; THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE. AND I’VE BEEN TOLD I CAN’T. HE’S EXTREMELY CONFUSED AND ISN’T SURE, YOU KNOW, WHERE HE IS OR WHY.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU’RE FRUSTRATED. YOU KNOW YOUR WIFE IS STILL IN THE TOWER.
Erika Stoving (sync):
WE’RE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU TO BE LIVING.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
I PROBABLY SHOULD BE IN ASSISTED LIVING.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
ASSISTED LIVING HAS TO - WHEN THEY DO AN ASSESMENT ON SOMEBODY COMING IN, YOU HAVE TO MEET SOME CERTAIN CRITERIA AS FAR AS BEING SAFE AND ABLE-BODIED AND - AND WE’RE THINKING IT’S MORE REALISTIC AT THIS POINT TO KEEP YOU HERE IN THE NURSING HOME THAN IT IS TO GO TO ASSISTED LIVING. I GUESS WE’RE WONDERING HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT. WE’RE A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SAFETY IN ASSISTED LIVING.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WHY? BECAUSE OF THE FALLS?
Erika Stoving (sync):
AND, UM, YOUR FORGETFULNESS - ESPECIALLY IN THE LATE AFTERNOON.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
YOU KNOW, ALL OF IT IS PART OF THE PICTURE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
THAT LATE AFTERNOON BIT HAS COME UP SEVERAL TIMES, AND I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT – WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
IT - IT’S LIKE YOU ALMOST TURN INTO A DIFFERENT PERSON IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, LIKE AROUND TWO, THREE O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. UM, YOU WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SIT AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ME. YOU TELL ME TO ‘GO AWAY, I DON’T NEED YOU.’ YOU KNOW, KIND OF BRUSH ME OFF.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
EVERYDAY?
Erika Stoving (sync):
ALMOST EVERYDAY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
HMM.
Erika Stoving (sync):
IT’S BASIC – IT’S RELATED TO YOUR DISEASE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WELL I DON’T KNOW HOW TO EVALUATE THAT, I THINK. YOU DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH MY RUNNING AROUND LOOSE.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
INTERESTING INTERPRETATION. (chuckles) UHHH.
Erika Stoving (sync):
IT’S NOT LIKE WE’RE TRYING TO LOCK YOU UP AND SAY WE’RE THROWING AWAY THE KEY AND YOU’RE NOT GETTING OUT OF HERE EVER AGAIN. WE’RE NOT SAYING THAT.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WELLWHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
Erika Stoving (sync):
YOU NEED TO STAY HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER. HOW LONG? WE DON’T KNOW. IT MAY BE A LONG TIME.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
AND WHAT IF I SAY NO?
Kathie Eilers (sync):
IT”S A BIG LEAP FOR PEOPLE DECIDE TO MOVE HERE. FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT’S A SIGN OF THEIR IMPENDING MORTALITY.
Graphic Onscreen:
KATHIE EILERS
PRESIDENT, ST.JOHN’S ON THE LAKE
Kathie Eilers (sync):
AND THE LAST THING THEY WANT TO KNOW IS HOW NICE THE NURSING HOME IS.
Nancy Tischer (sync):
EXACTLY!
(group laughs in agreement)
Graphic Onscreen:
JOHN GEORGE
NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR
(slow, dramatic music begins)
John George (sync):
MY MOTHER WORKED IN A NURSING HOME IN THE SEVENTIES AND WE WENT TO VISIT ONE DAY. THE PEOPLE TIED IN CHAIRS AND DROOLING; THE SMELL OVERWHELMED YOU. IT WAS THE MOST MORTIFYING THING I’D EVER SEEN. PEOPLE WEREN’T GIVEN CHOICES ABOUT A LOT OF BASIC THINGS. IT WASN’T ABOUT LOOKING DEEPER AT WHO THE PERSON WAS, WHERE THEY CAME FROM, WHAT MEANT SOMETHING TO THEM, WHAT WAS IMPORTANT ABOUT THEM? NOBODY WANTS TO GO IN A NURSING HOME BECAUSE THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS BROKEN, IT’S WRONG, IT TAKES AWAY FROM PEOPLE’S LIVES, IT TAKES THEIR SPIRIT AWAY FROM THEM, IT DISENGAGES THEM, IT GIVES THEM NO CHOICE, AND IT’S NOTHING THAT I WOULD EVER WANT ANY OF MY - MY LOVED ONES TO BE A PART OF. THE BABY-BOOMERS NEED TO REALLY START TO THINK ABOUT IF THEY THEMSELVES NEVER WANT TO BE IN AN INSTITUTION THE WAY IT LOOKS TODAY, THEN WHAT CAN THEY DO TO CHANGE IT TO BE SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THE LAST DAYS OF THEIR LIVES IN.
(faster music begins)
John George (sync):
AND WHAT WE’VE DECIDED TO DO IS TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW WE CAN REINSTILL CHOICE BACK INTO EVERYONE’S LIFE. IN A VERY TRADITIONAL NURSING HOME, IN A MEDICAL MODEL NURSING HOME, BREAKFAST IS AT EIGHT O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND EVERYONE MUST BE THERE AT EIGHT O’CLOCK. SO WE START DRAGGING PEOPLE OUT OF BED AT PROBABLY FIVE-THIRTY OR SIX. YOU THROW THEM AT A TABLE AND YOU GO GET THE NEXT ONE. AND USUALLY THEY FALL ASLEEP ON TOP OF THEIR PLATE WAITING FOR FOOD BECAUSE IT’S NOT SHOWING UP FOR TWO HOURS. IN A - IN A SOCIAL MODEL WE DON’T WAKE UP ANYBODY. WE LET YOU RISE NATURALLY. OUR WHOLE MODEL OF CARE IS ABOUT CHOICE. SOME PEOPLE EAT AT SEVEN. SOME PEOPLE EAT AT NINE-THIRTY OR TEN. THEY GET TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT FOR BREAKFAST. IF YOU NOTICE, THE EMPLOYEES NO LONGER IN THE NURSING HOME WEAR UNIFORMS. A UNIFORM SAYS MEDICAL, DOESN’T CREATE A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. YOU WOULDN’T WEAR ONE IN YOUR HOME. AND SO WE DON’T WEAR UNIFORMS. WE NO LONGER HAVE A TUB ROOM. WE HAVE A SPA. WHAT DO YOU LIKE? DO YOU LIKE A SHOWER? DO YOU LIKE A TUB BATH? HOW OFTEN DO YOU LIKE IT? DO YOU LIKE IT IN THE MORNING? DO YOU LIKE IT AT NIGHT? DO YOU WANT IT ONCE A WEEK? EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK? AND YOU DECIDE. EVERY MONDAY AT FOUR O’CLOCK WE HAVE COCKTAIL HOUR. THIS IS PRIVATE DINING. SOME PEOPLE USE IT LIKE WHEN THEIR FAMILIES COME AND VISIT AND STUFF. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR SAINT JOHN’S TO START THIS. THE RESIDENTS SEEMED RELATIVELY HAPPY. BUT WE KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING MISSING. WE WERE CARING FOR THE PHYSICAL NEEDS VERY ADEQUATELY FOR THE RESIDENTS, BUT NOT THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS. AND THAT’S WHY SOME OF US STARTED THINKING WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS THE BODY.
Kathie Eilers (VO):
I WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WERE VALUED FROM…
Graphic Onscreen:
KATHIE EILERS
PRESIDENT, ST.JOHN’S ON THE LAKE
Kathie Eilers (sync):
THE MOMENT YOU MOVED IN TO APARTMENTS TO THE MOMENT YOU DIED. WHO COULD ARGUE ABOUT THAT?
Graphic Onscreen:
BOB HAIG, 90
RESIDENT, INDEPENDENT LIVING
Bob Haig (sync):
MISS DOLORES, DID YOU HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING? DID YOU HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST THIS MORNING?
Dolores Haig (sync):
PARDON?
Bob Haig (sync):
DID YOU GET YOUR BREAKFAST? YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR HEARING AID.
Dolores Haig (sync):
No.
Bob Haig (sync):
WHERE IS IT? LET ME GET IT. LET ME GET YOUR- EVIDENTLY YOU DIDN’T EVEN GET UP. LET ME SEE- YOU TOOK YOUR PANTS OFF AND THAT’S BAD. THE THING TO DO IS GET UP. UP WE GO.
Dolores Haig (sync):
DON’T PUSH ME.
Bob Haig (sync):
I’M NOT PUSHING. I’M PULLING YOU. THAT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT. UP WE GO.
Dolores Haig (sync):
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR?
Bob Haig (sync):
HONEY, HERE LET ME HELP YOU.
Dolores Haig (sync):
I DON’T GET UP. DON’T TELL ME TO GET UP YET. I JUST WOKE UP.
Bob Haig (sync):
I’LL GO GET YOUR BREAKFAST WHILE YOU HAVE THAT.
Bob Haig (VO):
MOST ANY PERSON, LIKE MY WIFE FOR INSTANCE, WOULDN’T BE HERE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. THEY NEED TO COAXED AT TIMES TO COOPERATE.
Bob Haig (sync):
UH-UH. THE OTHER FOOT.
Dolores Haig (sync):
THIS FOOT.
Bob Haig (sync):
THAT’S NOT IT. PLEASE.
Bob Haig (VO):
YOU HAVE TO MOLD THEM. YOU HAVE TO GUIDE THEM. YOU HAVE TO BE CARING ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM WANT TO GET UP. I MEAN IT’S SIMPLE AS THAT.
Bob Haig (sync):
WERE YOU CORRECTING ME? REMEMBER I TOLD YOU…
Dolores Haig (sync):
I WAS CORRECTING.
Bob Haig (sync):
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO, I TOLD YOU DON’T YOU DARE CORRECT ME. EVER. REMEMBER I TOLD YOU OF THIS HOUSE, THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE LEADER. NOT A BOSS, A LEADER. WELL, THAT’S ME.
Dolores Haig (sync):
OH. YOU HOPE.
John George (sync):
WELL, MR. HAIG WANTS MRS. LIKE UP AND AT ‘EM IN THE MORNING, AND WE’VE DISCUSSED THAT WE WON’T GET HER UP AND AT ‘EM WHEN SHE WANTS TO SLEEP BECAUSE SHE’S A LATE SLEEPER. SHE ALWAYS WAS A LATE SLEEPER. AND WE’RE NOT GONNA WAKE HER UP. SHE’S REALLY GOT NOTHING TO WAKE UP FOR. WHY WAKE HER UP?
Bob Haig (sync):
YOU CANNOT DO THAT. A PERSON WILL SLEEP TWENTY FOUR HOURS IF YOU LET SOME OF THEM.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
WELL, WE WOULD NEVER LET ANYONE SLEEP-
Bob Haig (sync):
WELL
Graphic Onscreen:
JULIE KACZMAREK
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
SLEEP THEIR - SLEEP THEIR TIME AWAY. BUT WE’RE SAYING
Bob Haig (sync):
YEAH, BUT WHY…
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
INSTEAD OF THE RIGIDITY OF WHAT A NURSING HOME USED TO BE, WHERE PEOPLE GOT UP AT SEVEN O’CLOCK AND WERE AT THE BREAKFAST-
Bob Haig (sync):
I DON’T-
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
-TABLE AT EIGHT O’CLOCK
Bob Haig (sync):
I DON’T EXPECT THAT.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
WELL, WE WON’T DO THAT.
Bob Haig (sync):
SEE, I DON’T EXPECT THAT.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
WE WON’T DO THAT.
Bob Haig (sync):
BUT SHE GOES TO BED BY EIGHT O’CLOCK AT NIGHT. TO SAY THAT SHE HAS TO SLEEP FOURTEEN HOURS, IT’S JUST THAT THEY DON’T WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO GET HER UP. THAT’S WHY THEY LET HER SLEEP.
Graphic Onscreen:
ENCHANTRA COSEY
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
WE TRY TO PLEASE HIM AND HER BOTH, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS EASY BECAUSE SOMETIMES SHE WANTS THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE WANTS. SO WE TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THEM BOTH.
John George (sync):
HE GETS FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT. HE CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEBODY WOULD WANT TWELVE HOURS OF SLEEP IN A NIGHT. HE GETS FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP. THAT’S ALL HE NEEDS.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
MAYBE MORE SLEEP WOULD MAKE HIM LESS GRUMPY.
(laughs)
Video Narrator (VO):
IN TRADITIONAL NURSING HOME CULTURE, PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE EASE AND CONVENIENCE OF STAFF. NEW CULTURE EMPOWERS THE ELDERS. THEY GET TO CALL THE SHOTS. THAT REQUIRES CONSTANTLY ASKING “WHAT DOES THE INDIVIDUAL WANT AND HOW WOULD WE DO IT AT HOME?”
Nancy Tischer (VO):
EXAMPLE: IT’S JUST A LITTLE THING BUT THE FIRST THING THEY DO IS TURN ON ALL THE TOP LIGHTS IN THE ROOM. I JUST STOPPED THEM AND ASKED THEM HOW THEY WOULD HAVE FELT IF THAT WAS DONE TO THEM THIS MORNING WHEN THEY GOT UP.
Graphic Onscreen:
NANCY TISCHER
DIRECTOR OF NURSING EDUCATION
Nancy Tischer (sync):
AND YOU KNOW THEY THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULDN’T HAVE LIKED IT. AND SO THESE ARE THE APPROACHES THAT HAVE TO BE CHANGED.
John George (sync):
OK, THIS ISSUE THAT WE KIND OF LOOKED AT - AND THIS IS A HARD ISSUE BECAUSE NURSING HAS ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY, IS MEDICATIONS AND HOW ARE MEDICATIONS DELIVERED TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM. IN YOUR HOME WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU KEEP THEM IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET IN YOUR OWN BATHRROM. YOU DON’T HAVE THIS JUMBO MED CART RUNNING DOWN THE HALLWAY LIKE A DINOSAUR WITH ALL THIS STUFF, THIS APPARATUS. AND IT JUST DOESN’T LEND ITSELF VERY MUCH TO A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. SO WHAT WE’RE GONNA DO IS WE’RE GONNA TAKE THE MEDICATIONS AND PUT THEM IN YOUR BATHROOM.
Anna Jonas (sync):
THEY’RE NEVER IN THEIR ROOMS. THESE RESIDENTS ARE NEVER IN THEIR ROOMS. I MEAN WHO’LL GIVE THEM MEDS IN THE ROOM WHEN THEY’RE WHAT, WHEN THEY’RE RUNNING ALL OVER THE PLACE? WHEN YOU HAVE TO PRACTICALLY CORRAL THEM TO GET THEM TO THEIR ROOM AND THEN GIVE THEM MEDS. SURE, THIS COULD BE DONE IN A ROOM.
Graphic Onscreen:
ANNA JONAS
REGISTERED NURSE
Anna Jonas (sync):
BUT THIS IS SO EASY, THIS IS SO CONVENIENT. AND I LOVE CONVENIENCE.
Sharon Prusow (VO):
NOW I’M THRILLED WITH THE PERSON FIRST. BUT IT’S - IT’S A CHALLENGE WITH THE NURSES.
Graphic Onscreen:
SHARON PRUSOW
DIRECTOR OF NURSING
Sharon Prusow (sync):
YOU CAN’T JUST ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES AND IGNORE THE MEDICAL NEEDS.
Anna Jonas (sync):
YEARS AGO EVERYBODY GOT UP AT THE SAME TIME. YOU JUST GAVE EVERYBODY THEIR MEDS. BING, BING, BING, BING, BING, FINISHED. IT’S STILL A NURSING HOME. THEY’RE STILL 90 YEARS OLD.
Sharon Prusow (sync):
IT’S STILL A BIG PART OF WHY THEY’RE HERE. THEY’RE SICK.
Amy Blumenthal (VO):
I KNEW THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, I WOULD BE THE CAREGIVER. BUT SINCE SHE HAD THE STROKE IT’S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DYNAMIC. I FEEL LIKE I’M HER MOTHER NOW.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YOU HAVING A GOOD DAY?
Arienne Balser (sync):
NO. THINGS HAVE BOTHERED ME A LOT TODAY.
Graphic Onscreen:
ARIENNE BALSER, 75
RESIDENT, NURSING HOME
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
WHAT’S BOTHERED YOU? YOU LOOK SAD.
Arienne Balser (sync):
WELL I FEEL THAT WAY NOW.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
WHY SWEETY?
Arienne Balser (sync):
I HAD A BAD MORNING.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
BECAUSE YOU WERE RINGING A LOT?
Arienne Balser (sync):
YEAH. AND NO ONE CAME.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
SOMETIMES I THINK…
Graphic Onscreen:
AMY BLUMENTHAL
ARIENNE’S DAUGHTER
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
IT JUST SEEMS A LOT LONGER THAN IT IS. AND YOU THINK IT’S BEEN AN HOUR OR TWO AND IT COULD’VE BEEN TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES.
Arienne Balser (sync):
MY WHOLE LEFT SIDE HURTS. MY LEFT SIDE IS THE SIDE I FELL ON WHEN I HAD THE STROKE.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I KNOW. YOU DIDN’T FALL ON IT, SWEETY. REMEMBER IT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THE STROKE, THAT YOU LOST THE USE OF YOUR LEFT SIDE. SO IT WASN’T THAT YOU FELL. IT WASN’T ANYTHING THAT YOU DID. IT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF YOUR STROKE. WHERE IS YOUR SPLINT, SWEETY? HERE’S THE THUMB PIECE.
Arienne Balser (sync):
THAT’S EXTREMELY PAINFUL. THAT’S WHY I DON’T WEAR IT BECAUSE IT HURTS SO MUCH.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
SWEETY, IT’S GETTING TIGHTER ALREADY. IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU START WEARING THAT BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T THEN YOUR ARM IS GOING TO GET WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE AND THERE’S NOTHING THAT WE’RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO. I’M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS.
Arienne Balser (sync):
SO AM I. I’M AFRAID OF THE PAIN.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I KNOW IT HURTS. I DON’T WANT TO DISCOUNT THAT. I KNOW IT HURTS. BUT I THINK IT’S GOING TO HURT A LOT WORSE IF YOU STOP WEARING IT. SO IT’S BETTER TO DO NOW, OK? DID - DID YOU HAVE YOUR PAIN MEDICINE TODAY?
Arienne Balser (sync):
YEAH, I HAD IT A LITTLE WHILE AGO, ALSO.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
AND IT’S NOT HELPING YOU?
Arienne Balser (sync):
NO. IT HURTS ALREADY.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I’M JUST GONNA PUT IT ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WE’LL JUST SEE HOW YOU DO. AND IF IT DOESN’T FEEL GOOD YOU’RE GONNA TAKE IT OFF, SO IT’S TOTALLY IN YOUR CONTROL.
Arienne Balser (sync):
I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN TAKE IT OFF MYSELF.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YOU HAVE DONE IT MANY, MANY, MANY TIMES BEFORE.
Arienne Balser (sync):
BY MYSELF?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
BY YOURSELF.
Arienne Balser (sync):
IT SCARES ME.
Amy Blumenthal (VO):
IT’S AVERY DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP THAN WHAT IT USED TO BE. YOU KNOW, I’M – I’M TAKING CARE OF HER AND SHE LOOKS TO ME TO TAKE CARE OF HER AND HELP HER MAKE DECISIONS AND HELP HER TALK TO DOCTORS. AND THAT’S FINE. BUT I - I WANT TO PROVIDE FOR MY CHILDREN FIRST.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YOU GOT YOUR SPACE SUIT?
Rachel Blumenthal (sync):
YEP.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YOU GOT YOUR HELMET?
Rachel Blumenthal (sync):
YEP.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YOU GOT YOUR SPACE SHOES?
Rachel Blumenthal:
Yep.
Amy Blumenthal (VO):
YOU KNOW, EVERY MINUTE I’M AT SAINT JOHN’S IS A MINUTE I’M NOT WITH MY CHILDREN. AND NOW IT’S REALLY JUST A MATTER OF MAKING TIME CHOICES. I JUST - HOPEFULLY IT’LL ALL BE FINE.
Amy Blumenthal (VO):
HOW YA DOIN’ HON?
(Intrigue music begins)
Lloyd Herrold (VO/cc):
THIS IS A GADGET THAT THEY CAN TELL WHERE YOU ARE BASED ON WHAT THEY GET OUT OF THIS. KEEPS YOU FROM GETTING LOST. IT SIGNALS WHERE WE ARE.
(loud beeping begins)
Lloyd Herrold (VO/cc):
WHAT WE’RE UP TO, IF WE’RE UP TO SOMETHING THAT’S A LITTLE OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
VOILA!
Lloyd Herrold (VO/cc):
IT’S A VERY ANNOYING SYSTEM…
(loud beeping noise)
Lloyd Herrold (VO/cc):
IT DRIVES ME NUTS.
Erika Stoving (sync/cc):
WHATCHA YOU DOING OVER HERE, BUDDY?
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT SOME THINGS…
Erika Stoving (sync/cc):
OK, CAN WE THINK ABOUT THEM OVER THERE? THIS IS A CLOSET, THEY GOT TOILETS OVER HERE, THEY GOT SINKS OVER HERE…THEY GOT NASTY STUFF IN HERE, I DON’T WANT YOU OVER HERE, LET’S GO BACK OVER THIS WAY.
Erika Stoving (sync):
COME ON.
Erika Stoving (sync/cc):
PLEASE…WALK WITH ME, SIR…
John George (sync):
HE OBVIOUSLY REALIZES THAT THIS IS KIND OF A FOREIGN ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HIS WIFE ISN’T HERE AND PEOPLE AREN’T HERE AND HIS THINGS AREN’T NECESSARILY HERE. BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS LIKE THAT, WHICH IS EVEN HARDER BECAUSE SOME DAYS ARE BETTER FOR HIM THAN OTHER DAYS. SO WHEN HE’S NOT IN ONE OF THOSE MOODS, IT’S - IT’S A WONDERFUL DAY AND WHEN HE IS, YOU KIND OF HOPE THAT
THE DAY GETS, THAT TOMORROW WILL BE A BETTER DAY. THIS IS A MAN THAT WAS A VERY ACTIVE MAN WHO’S STILL RELATIVELY YOUNG; HE’S NOT EVEN 80 YEARS OLD, I DON’T THINK. HE HAS BEEN OUT, ABOUT INVOLVED IN ORGANIZATIONS ON DIFFERENT COMMITTIES, ALWAYS ON THE GO. HE OBVIOUSLY THINKS HE’S GOT BIGGER THINGS TO DO AND A PLACE TO GO AND I FEEL BAD FOR HIM BECAUSE I KNOW HE - HE’S NOT ABLE TO DO THAT ANYMORE. SO I FEEL SAD THAT HIS REALITY AND THE REALITY OF LIFE ARE NOT THE SAME.
Ralph Nelson (VO):
THE LENGTH OF LIFE AIN’T IMPORTANT TO ME; THE QUALITY IS.
Graphic Onscreen:
RALPH NELSON, 84
RESIDENT, INDEPENDENT LIVING
Ralph Nelson (Sync):
IF I HAD THE - MY GREATEST WISH IS TO WAKE UP DEAD SOME MORNING. THAT WOULD BE THE NEATEST THING IN THE WORLD.
(fast music begins)
Ralph Nelson (VO):
THE BEST THING FOR GRIEF IS TO BE BUSY. I’M JUST DEAD SURE OF THAT. IF YOU SIT IN YOUR HOUSE AND LOOK AT THE WALLS, YOU CAN FEEL AWFULLY SORRY FOR YOURSELF.
Ralph Nelson (Sync):
WE KNEW IT WAS GONNA HAPPEN, THAT SHE WAS GONNA GO. SHE DIED IN JUNE AND I MOVED HERE IN NOVEMBER. AND I KNEW DARN WELL I HAD TO MOVE. I WOULD WAKE UP AFTER A NAP AND THERE HER GHOST WAS.
(sound of film projector)
Ralph Nelson (Sync):
YOU LIVE WITH SOMEBODY, WHAT, I LIVED WITH HER 50 SOME YEARS. AND YOU JUST, YOU JUST… OK? SO MANY OF THE THINGS I DO AND THE WAY I LIVE ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF HER. THE OTHER DAY, I FINALLY DECLARED A CERTAIN AMOUNT INDEPENDENCE FROM HER. I DIDN’T MAKE MY BODY UNTIL 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON (LAUGHS). I DIDN’T WANNA BE A BURDEN EVER ON THE KIDS. BUT WHEN I WAS GONNA MAKE THIS MOVE, MY SON SAID, “YOU GOTTA BE CAREFUL. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA BE SOMEPLACE WHERE ON THE ELEVATOR ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS THEIR BOWEL MOVEMENT?” (LAUGHS)
(noise of truck driving by)
Graphic Onscreen:
ENCHANTRA COSEY
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Graphic Onscreen:
5:15 AM
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
IT’LL BE 9 YEARS IN MARCH I’VE BEEN WORKING AT SAINT JOHN’S. BEFORE MY NURSING JOB, I DID MOSTLY FOOD SERVICE. YOU DON’T WANT TO WORK AT MCDONALD’S OR A RESTAURANT, SO MOST FEMALES JUST GET INTO THE C.N.A. FIELD BECAUSE THAT’S LIKE ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID JOBS FOR A SINGLE MOTHER. I ENJOY MY JOB AND I KNOW I’M GOOD AT WHAT I DO. SO TO KNOW YOU’RE HELPING SOMEBODY, YOU’VE GOTTA FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT. EVERYBODY YOU’RE HELPING SOMEBODY. I FEEL GOOD EVERYDAY I WORK, EXCEPT MONDAYS.
(she laughs)
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
IS THAT WHERE YOU GO OUT?
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
WELL, -
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
IS THAT -
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
WE’RE NOT GOING OUT.
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
THEY COME IN, IN HERE TO GET ME WHEN THEY PICK US UP?
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
WELL, WE HAVE TO PUT ON SOME PANTS FIRST. YOU WANT TO GO WITH ME TO YOUR ROOM?
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
YOU MEAN I HAVE TO PUT ON MY CLOTHES?
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
SURE.
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
NOW DON’T FOOL ME.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
LOOK, WE GOT ON PANTS, ALL OF US. SEE?
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
YEAH, BUT I’M NOT GONNA WORK HERE.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
NO, BUT YOU’RE GONNA GO TO BREAKFAST. YOU GONNA GO TO BREAKFAST HALF-DRESSED? YOU HAVE A LITTLE SMALL ACCENT. YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A SHOWER, MISS BRUEGGMANN.
Marie Brueggmann (sync):
I DON’T EVEN WANT TO SHOWER. I JUST WANT TO GET HOME. I HOPE I FIND MY WAY HOME.
Amy Polley Smith (sync):
SAINT JOHN’S HOME HAS DETERIORATED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS FROM WHAT SAINT JOHN’S USED TO BE TO WHAT IT IS NOW. IT IS NOW A PLACE
FOR THE ONES WHO HAVE ALZHEIMER’S THAT WALK AND DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AND NOT FOR THE ONES WHO CAN THINK AND REMEMBER AND REPORT. I AM THAT ONE: AMY POLLEY SMITH. NINETY-NINE YEARS OLD, BUT WITH A HEAD ON MY SHOULDERS AND GOOD HEARING AND AN EXCELLENT MEMORY.
(piano music begins)
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
WELL, BEFORE I GOT INVOLVED WITH PARKINSON’S…I THINK I MADE MUCH BETTER SENSE IN A LOT OF THE THINGS I TALKED ABOUT.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
YOU’RE SAYING THE STAFF IS REACTING PARANOID IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. WHAT ARE THEY REACTING TO?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
UM, RESTRICTIONS ON – ON THEIR ACTIVITIES.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
ON THEIR ACTIVITIES? THE STAFF’S ACTIVITIES?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
UH, TAKING PEOPLE AND UH…
(he loses his train of thought)
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
THERE IS A CERTAIN GAP THERE THAT WASN’T THERE BEFORE. I GUESS WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY IS THAT THERE’S A…THERE’S SOME SORT OF A SHADOW THAT COMES OVER WHAT I’M THINKING.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
MR. HERROLD, I’M GONNA GIVE YOU SOME TIME TO GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS AND I’LL STOP BACK IN YOUR ROOM MAYBE LATER.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
OK.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
AND THEN THAT MIGHT BE A BETTER TIME TO EXPRESS WHAT IT IS YOU’RE TRYING TO EXPRESS TO US BECAUSE WE’RE INTERESTED IN HEARING IT.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I DON’T THINK I ALWAYS GET ENOUGH INFORMATION OUT TO MAKE IT RECOGNIZABLE BY OTHER PEOPLE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I’LL JUST BREAK OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE …AND I CAN’T PICK IT UP…YOU FEEL LIKE SAYING – LOOK, I KNOW I’M NOT COMING THROUGH QUITE THE WAY I WOULD LIKE TO HELP ME OUT IF YOU CAN AND LET’S GET THROUGH IT.
(piano music ends)
Donna Buxton(sync):
I CAN’T PLAY ANYMORE.
Earlean Whitson (sync):
MR. CHUDIK, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Theodore Chudik (sync):
HUH?
Earlean Whitson (sync):
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD THAT YOU LIKE TO EAT?
Theodore Chudik (sync):
MY FAVORITE FOOD…
Theodore Chudik (sync/cc):
WIENERSCHNITZEL
(group laughs)
Donna Buxton (sync):
VERY GOOD.
John George (sync):
I THINK THAT IF - IF THERE’S DEEP CULTURE WHERE WE GAVE PEOPLE, EVEN WITH VARYING DEGRESS OF DEMENTIA, A PURPOSE—IF THEY WERE ENGAGED IN WHAT THEY FELT WAS A MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY AND THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE COMING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY, IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT AFFECTS THE DEMENTIA PROCESS.
Polly Eisenbeisz (sync):
I LIKE HAMBURGERS.
Linda Merriweather (sync):
OH, SHE’S READY. HAMBURGERS, WOW.
(Drumming and singing begins)
Group singing (sync):
OH WHEN THE SAINTS, GO MARCHING IN, OH WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN…
Graphic Onscreen:
ENCHANTRA COSEY
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
GOOD MORNING.
Bob Haig (sync):
SHE’S IN THE BATHROOM. SHE TOOK OFF HER DIAPER PANTS OR WHATEVER THEY CALL THEM AND GOT BACK IN BED.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
GOOD MORNING.
Bob Haig (sync):
SHE’S TRYING TO HELP YOU, DOLORES. DON’T ARGUE.
Dolores Haig (sync):
WOULD YOU PLEASE GO OUT AND STAY OUT? I DON’T NEED ANY HELP. PLEASE GET OUT AND STAY OUT!
Bob Haig (sync):
NOW STOP - STOP YELLING.
Dolores Haig (sync):
GET OUT!
Bob Haig (sync):
SHE’S TRYING TO HELP YOU, SO LET HER HELP YOU.
Dolores Haig (sync):
I DON’T NEED ANY HELP.
Bob Haig (sync):
YES, YOU DO.
Dolores Haig (sync):
GET OUT AND STAY OUT!
Bob Haig (sync):
YOU WOULDN’T - YOU WOULDN’T - YOU WOULDN’T GO TO BED…
Dolores Haig (sync):
I DON’T WANT ANYBODY IN HERE WHEN I GO TO THE BATHROOM.
Bob Haig (sync):
ALL RIGHT, BUT YOU…
Dolores Haig (sync):
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!
Bob Haig (sync):
ALL RIGHT, COME ON NOW. THAT’S ALL RIGHT. COME ON OUT BEFORE - NOW YOU STOP YELLING AND STOP SWEARING.
Dolores Haig (sync):
I DON’T WANT HER IN HERE.
Bob Haig (sync):
OK. I PUT THAT ONE THIS MORNING, THE ONE SHE HAS ON.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
SO SHE’S FINE FOR NOW?
Bob Haig (sync):
I DON’T KNOW. WHY DON’T YOU GO BECAUSE SHE’S CANTANKEROUS. I’M GLAD I’M HERE TO SEE IT.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
SO WOULD YOU LIKE FOR HER TO HAVE HER BREAKFAST FIRST AND THEN YOU’LL COME BACK, OR?
Bob Haig (sync):
YES, PLEASE.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
OK.
Bob Haig (sync):
SHE THINKS SHE’S SELF-SUFFICIENT. THAT’S THE TROUBLE.
Graphic Onscreen:
ERIKA STOVING
NURSE
Erika Stoving (sync):
THERE ARE SOME TIMES WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO LEAVE HER ALONE AND LET HER DO HER THING BECAUSE IT’S JUST GONNA CAUSE MORE AGGRAVATION AND PUT HER MORE AT RISK FOR FALLING IF YOU TRY TO HELP HER. SO UM, WHAT I FIND IS IF SHE’S IN THE BATHROOM AND SHE DOES NOT WANT ANYBODY IN THERE, THEN I JUST STAY BACK.
Bob Haig (sync):I’M GONNA HAVE TO GO TO WORK, DOLORES. I’LL SEE YOU THIS EVENING. OK?
Dolores Haig (sync):
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO WORK?
Bob Haig (sync):
MONDAY AND FRIDAY. YOU KNOW THAT. TODAY IS MONDAY, IN CASE YOU DON’T REMEMBER. THAT WAS VERY NASTY OF YOU, THE WAY YOU ACTED.
Erika Stoving (sync):
HE DOESN’T QUITE UNDERSTAND THAT SHE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HIT, TO SCREAM, SCRATCH, EVERYTHING. AND WE JUST HAVE TO LET HER BE BECAUSE THERE’S JUST NO - I’M NOT GONNA, WE’RE NOT GONNA PUT OURSELVES IN DANGER BY TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT HE WANTS US TO DO. AND YOU KNOW, JUST DOWN DEEP INSIDE OF ME I JUST DON’T LIKE THE WAY HE TREATS HER. HE TALKS VERY RUDE TO HER - HE UM, I DON’T KNOW. HE JUST HANDLES HER RUDELY.
John George (sync):
LIKE WHAT DOES HE DO?
Yvonne Robinson (sync):
DOLORES! GET UP! THE GIRLS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU! YOU DON’T HAVE TO YELL…
Graphic Onscreen:
YVONNE ROBINSON
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Yvonne Robinson (sync):
THAT LOUD.
John George (sync):
WILL SHE BE SLEEPING?
Yvonne Robinson (sync):
YES.
John George (sync):
AND HE’LL, HE’LL COME IN AND WANT HER UP NOW.
Yvonne Robinson (sync):
AND WANT HER TO GET UP NOW.
Bob Haig (sync):
MISS DOLORES, YOU HAVE TO GET UP YOU KNOW.
John George (sync):
HE’S VERY REGIMENTED ON WHEN HE THINKS DOLORES SHOULD EAT, BE UP, BE BATHED, BE THIS, BE THAT, ALL OF THESE THINGS.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
DO PEOPLE THINK THAT’S ABUSIVE?
John George (sync):
THERE HAS BEEN CONCERNS VOICED ABOUT HOW HE INTERACTS WITH HER. AND PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO ME, “WHERE’S THE PERSON-FIRST IN THIS?” SHE DOESN’T WANT TO BATHE EVERYDAY, BUT HE INSISTS ON HER BATHING EVERYDAY AND SHE FIGHTS THEM BECAUSE SHE’S LIKE - SHE DOESN’T NECESSARILY WANT A BATH EVERYDAY. AND I’VE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT, WELL WHY DOES SHE NEED TO BE BATHED EVERYDAY, AND YOU KNOW, THEY CAN JUST WASH HER, GIVE HER KIND OF A SPONGE BATH AND WASH HER UP WITH THOSE THINGS. AND HE SAYS, “NO, SHE SMELLS. SHE NEEDS TO BE BATHED EVERYDAY.” UM, IT’S A HARD - THIS IS A HARD ONE TO BALANCE. IT’S A HARD ONE TO BALANCE BETWEEN WHAT DOLORES WANTS AND HIS EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT HE THINKS SHE WANTS. AND I WANT TO MINDFUL OF BOTH.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
RIGHT.
John George (sync):
I JUST DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT ALWAYS.
(music begins)
Megan Hannah (sync):
HELLO. GOOD MORNING. HI THERE. MY NAME’S MEGAN. I’M VISITING TODAY.
Megan Hannan (VO):
PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH DEMENTIA HAVE BROKEN THINKING, BUT SOMETHING THAT THEY’RE VERY ATTUNED TO IS A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT. I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT I WANT FOR BREAKFAST.
Graphic Onscreen:
MEGAN HANNAN
PERSON FIRST CONSULTANT
Megan Hannan (sync):
BUT IF YOU SLAP SOMETHING DOWN AND SAY, “YOU NEED TO EAT ALL YOUR FOOD,” I’M GONNA SENSE THAT THAT IS NOT A GOOD INTERACTION. THAT DOESN’T FEEL GOOD TO ME.
Megan Hannan (sync):
SO I THOUGHT I’D SIT DOWN AND HAVE BREAKFAST TODAY AND SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING HERE.
Megan Hannan (sync):
THERE’S IMAGES AND FEELINGS AND IMPRESSIONS WE ALL HAVE ABOUT A KITCHEN. TO SOMEONE WHO LIVES WITH DEMENTIA, THE KITCHEN IS FAMILIAR. IT LOOKS FAMILIAR. IT FEELS FAMILIAR. IT HAS GOOD ASSOCIATIONS, GOOD MEMORIES. IF I LIVE ALL DAY AND I NEVER SMELL FOOD COOKING, I DON’T KNOW I’M MISSING IT IF I LIVE WITH DEMENTIA,
BUT WHEN I HAVE IT, IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. AND IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THAT BECAUSE THEY CAN’T ASK FOR IT.
John George (sync):
NOW WE HAVE BACON AND EGGS AND PANCAKES AND OATMEAL AND TOAST AND CEREAL. WELL, YOU JUST HAD CEREAL. WHAT DO YOU LIKE?
Donna Buxton (sync):
I LIKE OATMEAL.
John George (sync):
YOU WANT SOME BACON, YOU SAID.
Donna Buxton (sync):
YEAH.
John George (sync):
DO YOU WANT ANY PANCAKES? THERE’S BLUEBERRY PANCAKES. DO YOU LIKE THOSE?
Donna Buxton (sync):
I DON’T THINK SO.
John George (sync):
OK, OATMEAL. DO YOU LIKE OATMEAL?
Donna Buxton (sync):
MMM-UNNH.
John George (sync):
JUST SOME BACON? DO YOU WANT SOME TOAST?
Corrine Taylor (sync):
I HAVE A QUESTION: THEY HAVE A CHOICE AND THEY TELL ME THEY WANT A PIECE OF BACON AND I GIVE IT TO THEM AND THEN THEY CHOKE. WHERE, WHAT KIND OF - WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT?
Megan Hannan (sync):
IT DEPENDS ON THEIR HEALTH AND WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM. AND NOW IT’S HARDER, ISN’T IT? I MEAN SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK MORE OR YOU HAVE TO GET MORE INFORMATION, MAYBE FROM ERIKA. IS THIS A PROBLEM? IS IT NOT A PROBLEM? WHAT DO WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT? AND IT’S NOT SIMPLE, BUT YOU KNOW YOUR WORK ISN’T THAT
SIMPLE, IS IT? I MEAN YOU’RE FACED WITH THOSE THINGS EVERYDAY. BUT YOU GUYS CAN DO THAT. AND YOU KNOW THE RESIDENTS PRETTY WELL.
Matthew Johnson (sync):
HERE. SIT UP. OK. WOOH!
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
CAN YOU ROLLOVER? CAN YOU PLAY DEAD AND ROLLOVER? HMM?
Matthew Johnson(sync):
CAN YOU ROLLOVER, CHARLIE?
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
WHILE, MR. HERROLD HAS DEFINITE DEFICIT, HE ALSO RETAINS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF AWARENESS ABOUT HIS MEDICAL PROBLEMS. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ACTIVATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE AT THIS TIME. HE DOESN’T RECOMMEND IT.
John George (sync):
ALL RIGHT.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
I’M GLAD FOR HIM. WHAT I TOLD DR. BRAAKSMA IS THAT IT’S DIFFICULT WITH MR. HERROLD BECAUSE HE HAS MOMENTS OF ABSOLUTE LUCIDITY. YOU COULD TALK TO HIM, HE MAKES SENSE, HE’S A GOOD HISTORIAN, HE’S, CAN BE IN THE PRESENT. AND THEN OF COURSE HE HAS HIS MOMENTS WHERE HAVING HIM SIGN SOMETHING MAKES ME FEEL LIKE IT’S QUESTIONABLY RESPONSIBLE…
John George (sync):
RIGHT.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
DOES HE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CAPACITY FOR THESE THINGS? YOU KNOW?
John George (sync):
ARE YOU GONNA UH, TALK TO THE WIFE?
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
YEAH.
John George (sync):
SHE- SHE’S INDICATED THAT HE IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO MAKE DECISIONS, SO SHE’S NOT GONNA BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS NEWS AT ALL.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
THAT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS A BIB…MY WIFE’S IDEA. KEEP ME FROM SPILLING FOOD ALL OVER MY FRONT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN, OK? WE GOTTA LOOK RESPECTABLE FOR EDITH OR SHE’LL GET MAD, RIGHT?
Edie Herrold, Jr. (sync):
SHE HAS TROUBLE WATCHING HIM SPILL FOOD. IT DISTURBS HER.
Edie Herrold (sync):
NOW YOU WANT TO JUST SWING IT OVER SO IT’S IN FRONT OF HIM?
Edie Herrold, Jr. (sync):
SHE’S ALWAYS ALL OVER HIM TO WEAR A BIB, AND SHE’S NOT HAPPY THAT HE DOESN’T WEAR A BIB IN THE NURSING HOME…
Graphic Onscreen:
EDIE HERROLD, JR.
LLOYD & EDIE’S DAUGHTER
Edie Herrold, Jr. (sync):
THAT THEY HAVE A PHILOSOPHY THAT, WHERE THEY DON’T USE BIBS. THAT BOTHERS HER. AND MY OPINION IS--DOESN’T MATTER. IF HE HAS FOOD ON HIS CLOTHES, SO WHAT? MY BROTHERS WENT OUT TO BUY HIM SOME NEW SHIRTS, AND I JUST - I JUST SAID, “WELL MAKE SURE YOU BUY HIM FOOD-COLORED SHIRTS.”
Ralph Nelson (sync):
I JUST KNOW GOOD PEOPLE LIKE THAT. I KNEW LLOYD HERROLD AND I STILL HAVE TROUBLE THERE. I HAVE, OCCASSIONALLY HAVE LUNCH WITH HIM HERE, BUT I… NOW THAT’S AWFUL TO SAY, BUT THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS. IT’S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.
Dolores Haig (sync):
WHEN YOU’RE OLDER THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS THAT COME UP THAT YOU - YOU CAN’T PARTICIPATE THE WAY YOU COULD WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER, AND THAT’S WHAT’S SAD.
Graphic Onscreen:
DOLORES HAIG, 88
RESIDENT, NURSING HOME
Dolores Haig (sync):
YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU’RE NOT ACCEPTABLE, WHICH YOU’RE NOT AND YOU WANT TO BE.
Dolores Haig (sync):
LOOKS LIKE WE’RE GOING SOMEWHERE.
Bob Haig (sync):
YOU ARE?
Dolores Haig (sync):
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Bob Haig (sync):
TO LUNCH.
Dolores Haig (sync):
OH.
Bob Haig (sync):
HOW ABOUT THAT?
Dolores Haig (sync):
HOW NICE.
Bob Haig (sync):
OK SWEETY, MY GLAMOROUS LOOKING WIFE.
Dolores Haig (sync):
MY HAIRDRESSER.
Bob Haig (sync):
OK. EXCUSE ME. UP WE GO.
Bob Haig (VO):
I WANT HER TO LOOK AS NICE AS SHE ALWAYS DID WHEN WE GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE TO ME IT’S VERY IMPORTANT. SHE WAS VERY FASHION-CONSCIOUS. SHE LIKES LOOKING WELL-DRESSED.
Dolores Haig (sync):
I NEED SOME LIPSTICK OR SOMETHING.
Bob Haig (sync):
YOU DON’T NEED – YOU LOOK FINE DEAR.
Dolores Haig (sync):
I -
Bob Haig (sync):
YOU GOT SOME LIPSTICK ON.
Anna Jonas (sync):
HAVE A GOOD ONE.
Bob Haig (VO):
SOME OF THE LADIES WILL SAY TO ME, “I WISH I HAD SOMEONE LIKE YOU WHO’D CARE FOR ME LIKE YOU DO FOR HER.” IT’S MORE THAN JUST BEING ABLE PAY THE BILL, IT’S SHOWING THAT I CARE FOR HER BECAUSE I THINK THAT’S AS GOOD THERAPY AS ANYTHING.
Tamica Burris (sync):
WHAT TIME YOU LEAVING AT? FOUR THIRTY. I SHOULD LEAVE WHEN YOU LEAVE.
Lakaya Coleman (sync):
NO.
Tamica Burris (sync):
WHAT TIME YOU LEAVE?
Lakaya Coleman (sync):
FOUR OCLOCK; YOU GONNA LEAVE WITH ME? YOU GONNA GIVE ME A RIDE HOME?
John George (VO):
TOO MUCH OF THE TIME IS SPENT WITH STAFF IN FRONT OF RESIDENTS TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND NOT WITH THE RESIDENT AND THAT’S – IT’S UPSETTING BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED.
Kathy Ahlstedt (sync):
AND THEY WILL NEVER CATCH ON UNLESS THEY SEE YOU DOIN’ IT.
John George (sync):
AND THAT’S WHERE I’D LOVE TO SEE THIS GROUP BE. AND I KNOW PEOPLE ARE BUSY, SO I ACTUALLY PUT DOWN - I THINK THERE’S LIKE THIRTEEN DIFFERENT THINGS HERE, MOST OF WHICH TAKE A HALF HOUR OR LESS, TO COME AND, AND SERVE AS THAT ROLE MODEL. TALK TO THEM ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR FAMILY, ABOUT THEIR CAREERS. YOU TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER A LITTLE BIT, OR YOU LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT ‘EM IN THE PAST AND YOU SAY, “OH, YOU KNOW I – YOU KNOW I KNOW YOUR ENJOY BLAH, BLAH, BLAH,” AND YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF DIALOGUE. AND PEOPLE LISTEN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY FEEL APART OF A GROUP, VERSUS JUST SITTING WITH A BUNCH OF STRANGERS. AND IT CHANGES THE DYNAMIC A LOT, UM-
Renee Anderson (sync):
CAN I SAY SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GONNA BE POPULAR?
Nancy Tischer (sync):
SURE, OF COURSE.
Renee Anderson (sync):
UM, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND I KNOW MY STAFF WOULD TOO, BUT I – FRANKLY, I DON’T KNOW WHERE THOSE HOURS ARE GONNA COME FROM.
Nancy Tischer (sync):
MM-HM.
Renee Anderson (sync):
I JUST DON’T.
(slow music begins)
(background voices mumbling)
John George (sync):
ARE YOU EXCITED?
Nancy Tischer (VO):
THIS IS PERSON FIRST.
Kathie Eilers (VO):
YOU KNOW IT’S NOT A SLOGAN; IT’S NOT SOMETHING TO PUT ON THE BANNERS IN THE PARKING LOT.
Nancy Tischer (VO):
WE NEED TO GET TO KNOW THESE PEOPLE.
(slow music fades)
John George (sync):
I’M STILL NEVER GONNA HANG MODERN ART IN MY HOUSE, BUT –
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YOU WON’T? BUT YOU WILL -
John George (sync):
I STILL - I’M KIND OF HAVING MORE FUN
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
I BET THE DAY WILL COME WHEN -
John George (sync):
WITH YOUR INTERPRETATIONS THAN I WOULD IF I WOULD HAVE COME BY MYSELF, FOR SURE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
ALL RIGHT. WE’LL KEEP AFTER YOU. WE’LL GET YA.
John George (sync):
(Chuckles) OK, WHAT CAN WE READ FROM THIS ONE?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WELL THAT’S A GUY WHO HAD A BAD SANDWICH FOR LUNCH.
John George (sync):
DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
REAGAN?
John George (sync):
YEAH, IT IS. IT’S RONALD REAGAN. RONALD REAGAN IS STILL ALIVE, BUT YOU KNOW HE’S GOT ALZHEIMER’S NOW.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
I KNOW.
John George (sync):
HIS WIFE JUST SEEMS VERY DEDICATED TO HIM – NANCY REAGAN.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH, SHE – SHE WENT OVERBOARD.
John George (sync):
SHE KIND OF KEEPS HIM IN A SHROUD OF SECRECY, DOESN’T SHE?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
John George (sync):
BUT SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE AT HIS SIDE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YOU SEE HE’S MY THIRD COUSIN. DID YOU KNOW THAT?
John George (sync):
RONALD REAGAN?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
John George (sync):
HE’S YOUR THIRD COUSIN?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
UH-HUH.
John George (sync):
FOR REAL?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
John George (sync):
HE IS NOT, IS HE?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
HE IS TOO.
John George (sync):
YOU’RE RELATED TO HIM?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
THAT WAY.
John George (sync):
(Laughs) MR.HERROLD, LOOK AT THAT. LLOYD WILSON HERROLD – PRESIDENT OF THE ART MUSEUM. THAT’S WONDERFUL. WAS YOUR WIFE INVOLVED?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
OH YEAH. SHE WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED.
John George (sync):
NEAT. WELL CONGRATULATIONS, THAT’S A GREA – THAT’S A BIG HONOR.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
IT’S NOTICED BY A FEW. (Chuckles)
John George (sync):
I THINK WE’RE GONNA HAVE TO COME BACK HERE, MR.HERROLD. I LIKED IT. I’VE ALWAYS LIKED THIS ONE. I KIND OF THINK THE LION REPRESENTS ALL THIS STRENGTH. HE’S KIND OF BRINGING CLOSURE TO HIS LIFE – THAT HE FEELS HE’S – HE’S FULFILLED EVERYTHING AND KIND OF COME TO LOOK AT THE END AND IS AT PEACE WITH THE FACT THAT MAYBE HE’S DONE WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO. AND HE’S SAYING, “I’M OK WITH THIS.”
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
UH-HUH. IT EXPRESSES A FEELING OF LONGING FOR COMPANIONSHIP, AND AN AWARENESS THAT MOST OF US ARE GONNA BE ALONE MOST OF THE TIME.
John George (sync):
REALLY?
(automobile traffic, birds chirping)
(medical machines beeping)
(dishware clinking)
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WHAT?
Edie Herrold (sync):
SIT DOWN IN THE WHEELCHAIR. SOMEONE HAS TO COME AND PUSH YOU.
Joe Kuntz (sync):
(WHISTLING)
Edie Herrold (sync):
OK, GREAT STARTS.
Joe Kuntz (sync):
YOU LIKE THE NEW DINING ROOM?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YOU’RE LEAVING ME HERE?
Edie Herrold (sync):
YES, AND I’M GOING UPSTAIRS. HERE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
STOP IT. (mumbling)
(elevator bell)
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
(mumbling)
Woman on elevator (sync):
OH WHAT A PRETTY SWEATER TODAY.
Edie Herrold (sync):
THANK YOU.
Joe Kuntz (sync):
GOODBYE MRS. HERROLD.
Edie Herrold (sync):
GOODBYE. THANK YOU.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
OK.
Joe Kuntz (sync):
BACK THIS WAY. (Chuckles) I DIDN’T KNOW THAT –
(resident screaming in background)
Bob Haig (VO):
THE OTHER DAY THERE WAS NOT A PERSON ON THAT FLOOR. NOT ONE PERSON. I WENT UP AND DOWN – NOT ONE. IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP, THERE’S NO ONE THERE TO HELP ‘EM.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
UM-HM.
Bob Haig (sync):
WE CLAIM TO BE THE TOP NURSING HOME, BUT THE SERVICE DOESN’T GO WITH IT. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS IN THE OLD ST.JOHN’S -
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
OK.
Bob Haig (sync):
AND SHE GOT BETTER SERVICE THERE THAN WE’RE GETTING HERE, IN SOME INSTANCES.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
OK.
Bob Haig (sync):
AND WE’RE PAYING A HECK OF A LOT MORE THAN I PAID FOR MY MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Julie Kaczmarek (sync):
UM-HM.
Nancy Tischer (sync):
THEY’RE USED TO HAVING THEIR ASSIGNMENTS, THEIR RESIDENTS, AND THEY TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE ONLY. AND IF ONE OF THOSE RESIDENT’S LIGHTS GO ON AND THEY’RE NOT AVAILABLE, ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR TEAM MEMBERS WILL NOT ANSWER THAT LIGHT FOR THEM.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
YOU! SINCE YOU WANT ME TO TALK – YOU DISAPPEAR WHEN WE NEED YOU. YOU BASICALLY NEED HELP WITH ALL OF YOUR RESIDENTS -
Nusia Ioffe (sync):
NO! I DON’T NEED – I DON’T NEED -
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
NO MATTER WHICH ONES YOU GOT.
Nusia Ioffe (sync):
TWO PEOPLE - NOBODY FOR - WORK FOR ME! NOBODY!
Sharon Prusow (sync):
WHAT I’M HEARING IS SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE NOT GETTING THE CONCEPT OF THE MODEL. THE MODEL IS A TEAM – TEAM! NOT I HAVE THIS ONE, YOU HAVE THAT ONE, YOU HAVE THIS ONE. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO WORK TOGETHER. AND WHAT I’M HEARING IS THAT’S NOT HAPPENING
Kathie Eilers (VO):
YOU KNOW WE’VE ASKED PEOPLE NOT TO SEE THE WORLD AS THESE ARE THE NURSES’ TASKS, THESE ARE THE NURSING ASSISTANTS’ TASKS, THESE ARE THE FOOD SERVICE TASKS, YOU KNOW, BUT TO BLUR THOSE ROLES AND TO SAY WE’RE ALL HERE TO HELP YOU OUT AND ANY OF US CAN HELP.
John George (sync):
YEAH.
Arienne Balser (sync):
THANK YOU.
John George (sync):
HOW WAS BREAKFAST?
Arienne Balser (sync):
OH, IT WAS VERY NICE.
John George (sync):
ARE YOU DONE?
Arienne Balser (sync):
YES.
John George (VO):
THESE ARE ALL OUR RESIDENTS, SO WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THEM AS A GROUP BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING AS A TEAM.
John George (sync):
OK.
John George (VO):
IT WOULD BE REALLY IDEAL IF NO ONE IN THE ORGANIZATION COULD WALK BY A SITUATION AND SAY, “I CAN’T DO THAT,” OR, “IT’S NOT MY JOB,” BECAUSE YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING THAT ANYONE NEEDED AT THAT MOMENT.
Erika Stoving (VO):
IT’S ALMOST LIKE EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE TRAINED AS A C.N.A. IF EVERYBODY IN THIS BUILDING WAS TRAINED AS A C.N.A, THEN WE COULD HELP THE C.N.A.’S BECAUSE THAT’S WHERE A LOT OF THE BURDEN IS FALLING TO.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
IT’S LIKE THE C.N.A.’S ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ST.JOHN’S. WE DO IT ALL.
Erika Stoving (VO:
IF WE’RE SHORT A HOMEMAKER AND WE DON’T HAVE SOMEBODY TO HELP SERVE BREAKFAST, WELL THEN IT FALLS TO THE C.N.A.’S. BUT THE C.N.A.’S THEN HAVE TO GET THE PEOPLE UP THAT ARE READY TO GET UP. YOU KNOW, GET ‘EM OUT OF BED, BATHE THEM, DRESS THEM. THE C.N.A.’S ARE TRYING TO DO THEIR WORK, AND THEY’RE GETTING PULLED
IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THAT MEANS THERE IS OTHER STUFF GOING ON –
Megan Hannan (sync):
UM-HM.
Erika Stoving (sync):
THAT THEY CAN’T GET TO, ESSENTIALLY –
Megan Hannan (sync):
RIGHT, SO THEN THE NURSES HAVE TO DO IT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
AND THEN THE NURSES HAVE TO DO IT, AND THEN IT FALLS BACK -
Megan Hannan (sync):
RIGHT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
WELL WHO’S GONNA DO THE NURSE’S WORK?
Megan Hannan (sync):
RIGHT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
(sighs loudly) WE’RE BASICALLY GETTING YELLED AT FROM BOTH ENDS. WE’RE GETTING YELLED AT FROM OUR C.N.A.’S BECAUSE THEY’RE FINDING THE WORK LOAD IS GETTING TO BE TOO HEAVY OR THAT IT’S NOT BEING FAIR. AND THEN WE’RE GETTING YELLED AT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION PEOPLE SAYING THAT WE’RE NOT DOING IT THE WAY WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IT AND THAT WE’RE BEHIND ON OUR PAPER WORK.
John George (sync):
THIS GROUP OF RESIDENTS IS ALL OUR RESPONSIBILITIES. YOU SEE A CALL LIGHT AND YOU’RE FREE, DOESN’T MATTER WHERE IT IS – YOU GO.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
BUT SEE IF YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER YOU CAN GET IT DONE.
Marilyn Farsee (sync):
BUT IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN LIKE THAT.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
WE DO –
Marilyn Farsee (sync):
YOU KNOW THIS, I KNOW THAT.
(group begins bickering loudly)
Yolanda McGee (sync):
YOU KNOW ONE THING – I’M A SAY IT TO YOUR FACE – YOU SMART – YOU WALK UP AND -
John George (sync):
HOW DO YOU HELP THE EMPLOYEE WHO’S GOOD AT WHAT THEY’VE ALWAYS DONE, BUT NOW YOU’RE TRYING TO SHIFT THEIR THINKING INTO A WHOLE NEW, UH, TYPE OF MENTALITY. IT’S – IT’S, YOU KNOW, IT’S HARD TO DO.
Megan Hannan (sync):
THE OLD WAY WAS WE WERE JUST TOLD. AS HANDS-ON CAREGIVERS, WE WERE TOLD HOW TO DO IT, WHEN TO DO IT, AND WHAT THE PROTOCOL WAS, YOU KNOW. NOW, IT’S CONFUSING. THIS IS NOT THE EASY ROAD TO GO.
(automobile hum)
John George (sync):
DID YOU EVER GET DEP – LIKE THINK, HOW YOU GONNA EVER DO THIS? I FEEL LIKE WE’RE IN THIS OCEAN THAT IS JUST SO STORMY
Nancy Tischer (sync):
WELL –
John George (sync):
AND YOU AND I ARE JUST BARELY STAYING AFLOAT.
(residents chatting in background)
John George (sync):
IT’S HARD.
Amy Balser (sync):
SO HOW’S YOUR WEEK SWEETY? I HAVEN’T TALKED TO YOU IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
Arienne Balser (sync):
REALLY NOT GREAT.
Amy Balser (sync):
TELL ME WHY?
Arienne Balser (sync):
BECAUSE THERE’S A WO – A WOMAN WHO WORKS HERE THAT I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND.
Amy Balser (sync):
TELL ME WHY.
Arienne Balser (sync):
SHE’S VERY MEAN AND NASTY TO ME. I THINK SHE RESENTS ME.
Amy Balser (sync):
WHY?
Arienne Balser (sync):
BECAUSE I’M RELATIVELY EDUCATED AND SHE’S NOT.
Graphic Onscreen:
TAMICA BURRIS
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Tamica Burris (sync):
I DIDN’T SAY A WORD, I DIDN’T GIVE A DIRTY LOOK, I DIDN’T ACT FUNNY TOWARD HER IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, AND SHE SAT THERE AND TALKED ABOUT ME.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
OH, YOU HAVE TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE THE DOOR SOMETIME AND LISTEN.
Graphic Onscreen:
JERALDINE COSEY
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
John George (sync):
YOU THINK SHE TALKS DOWN TO YOU SOMETIMES?
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
YES I DO.
Tamica Burris (sync):
OH, I KNOW SHE DO TO ME.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
YES I DO.
Tamica Burris (sync):
DEFINITELY.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
YES I DO.
Tamica Burris (sync):
‘CAUSE JERRY WILL TELL HER, ‘WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO HER LIKE THAT?’
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
AND SHE ALSO CALLS YOU NAMES.
Tamica Burris (sync):
YEAH.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
AND THAT IS NOT NICE BECAUSE WE DON’T DO THAT.
Tamica Burris (sync):
I’M – I’M “BITCHES” – EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
WE WOULDN’T TALK TO YOU THAT WAY, SO YOU SHOULDN’T TALK TO US THAT WAY. WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH A RESIDENT. SHE SAID TO ME, “YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE PEOPLE AREN’T VERY PROFESSIONAL.” AND I SAID TO HER, “WELL, YOU’RE ABSOLUTLEY RIGHT.” THEY AREN’T
TRAINED AS PROFESSIONALS, THEY AREN’T EDUCATED, AND WE DON’T PAY THEM AS PROFESSIONALS. SO WHY ARE WE SURPRISED THAT THEY DON’T ACT PROFESSIONAL?
(music begins)
Kathie Eilers (VO):
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE COULD NOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. THAT CREATES A DYNAMIC THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE PAYED ATTENTION TO.
John George ():
ON AVERAGE, MAYBE A CNA MAKES EIGHTEEN TO TWENTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR; HOUSEKEEPERS MAKE LESS. I THINK C.N.A.’S MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT SENSE OF HOME THAN THE RESIDENTS THAT THEY’RE SERVING. I CAN SAY TO YOU, YOU KNOW, GO CREATE HOME AND FAMILY, AND IF YOUR HOME AND FAMILY MEANS, YOU KNOW, YOU’VE GOT AN ABUSIVE HUSBAND, AND YOU’VE GOT – YOU’RE RAISING THREE KIDS AND FOUR GRANDKIDS ON YOUR TWENTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR-
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
MOST BLACK PEOPLES DON’T PUT THEIR PEOPLES IN NURSING HOME. I JUST HAVE TO BE TRUTHFUL WITH YOU. YOU SEE A FEW, BUT YOU WILL NOT SEE A LOT OF ‘EM.
(music fades)
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
THEY ARE ALL AT HOME BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY THEY FAMILY. IT’S NOTHING TO SAY THAT I’M RACIAL OR NOTHING. I’M JUST SPEAKING THE TRUTH. WE WILL KEEP US AT HOME.
(music begins)
(running water from bath)
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
HAVE YOU GOT ME?!
Marilyn Farsee (sync):
YEP. (Laughs)
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
YES, THERE IT IS - SIT DOWN, WAIT ‘TIL LATER; WE’LL DANCE LATER, OK?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEP.
Tamica Burris (sync):
THIS IS NOT A JOB I COULD DO JUST FOR THE MONEY. I COULDN’T DO IT FOR THE MONEY. IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOUR HEART HAS TO ACTUALLY BE IN. YOU HAVE TO HAVE FEELING, COMPASSION, BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T, YOU WOULDN’T SURVIVE. YOU COULDN’T SURVIVE.
Marilyn Farsee (sync):
I MEAN WE’RE THEIR FAMILY. WE ARE JUST NOT THEIR C.N.A, WE’RE THEIR FAMILY.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
WE WON’T BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING SOME EMPLOYEE’S LIVES SO DIFFICULT. BUT WE CAN BE A PLACE THAT EXTENDS ITSELF TO PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
(automobile hum)
Kathie Eilers (VO):
THIS IS TOUGH TO DEAL WITH. AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?
(kids chatting)
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
NEVER BEEN MARRIED AND I DOUBT THAT I EVER WILL MARRY. I HAVE MY EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD SON TO TAKE CARE OF, AND I HAVE MY DAUGHTER WHO’S FOURTEEN. I HAVE MY, UM, ONE YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER TO TAKE CARE OF, AND HER MOM, AND MYSELF. I HAVE TWO OTHER KIDS THAT I’M TAKING CARE OF, BUT THEY’RE NOT IN THE HOUSE. THEY’RE INCARCERATED, AND I’M – BUT I’M STILL TAKING CARE OF ‘EM.
(kids chatting)
Enchantra Cosey (VO):
(Laughs)
Lance Porter (sync):
BYE MOM.
Enchantra Cosey (VO):
AT TIMES IT’S HARD, BUT I KNOW THEY’RE DEPENDING ON ME, SO I GOTTA KEEP GOING.
(traffic)
Suzanne Lorentz (sync):
WHAT IS THE JOB YOU’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE? WHAT IS THE JOB - IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANT, WHAT IS THE JOB YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
WELL I PUT THE D.O.N. AT MY PRESENT JOB. I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE D.O.N. AT MY PRESENT JOB.
Suzanne Lorentz (sync):
AND TELL ME WHAT THAT IS.
Enchantra Cosey (sync/cc):
…DIRECTOR OF NURSING…
Suzanne Lorentz (sync):
OH, OK.
Marcellus Robinson (sync):
OH! THAT’S LIKE -
Suzanne Lorentz (sync):
GREAT. WELL, SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO.
Marcellus Robinson (sync):
THAT’S SOME MONEY!
Suzanne Lorentz (sync):
ARE YOU ON YOUR WAY?
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
IM GETTING THERE. (Laughs)
(class laughs)
Marcellus Robinson (sync):
THAT’S GONNA BE SOME MONEY! (Laughs)
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
YOU DON’T WANNA STAY IN THE SAME POSITION ALL YOUR LIFE. YOU WANT TO MOVE UP A LITTLE BIT. SO I WANNA MOVE UP.
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
KIDS WILL BE GROWN AND GONE, OR - AND I’M GONNA BE AT HOME BY MYSELF, AND I FIGURE WITH MORE MONEY I COULD DO MORE THINGS WITH NO KIDS AROUND. THAT’S THE GOAL: NO KIDS, BRIGHTER FUTURE. (Laughs)
(sirens)
Edie Herrold (sync):
I’VE HAD SOME VERY DIFFICULT NEWS TODAY, AND SO I’M A LITTLE DISCOMBOBULATED. I HAVE TO HAVE A CONSULTATION WITH A NEUROSURGEON. UH, YOU KNOW I’VE HAD ALL THESE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, AND SO THAT SCARES THE BEJEEBERS OUT OF ME BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE HECK A NEUROSURGEON IS GOING TO DO FOR ME. SO I’M, YOU KNOW, IN FLUX; I’M NOT SURE WHAT’S GOING ON. BUT, UH, I WILL ADMIT I’M TERRIFIED.
(piano begins)
(people partying/conversing)
Erika Stoving (sync):
HERE’S THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!
Group (sync):
YAY!
(clapping)
Group singing (sync):
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU; HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DOLORES; HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Edie Herrold (sync):
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
(group begins singing ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ with piano)
Dolores Haig (sync):
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT LOOKS HAPPY , DOESN’T IT?
Bob Haig (sync):
WELL, YOU KNOW, LLOYD IS IN THERE. EDITH?
Edie Herrold (sync):
WHAT?
Bob Haig (sync):
LLOYD IS IN THERE. LLOYD IS SITTING THERE IF YOU WANT TO - HE’S SITTING THERE.
Edie Herrold (sync):
WELL -
Bob Haig (sync):
SEE? RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. YOU WANT ME TO GET HIM FOR YOU?
Edie Herrold (sync):
NO. NO, NO. HE JUST – THERE, I SEE HIM. OK.
(people partying/conversing)
Nursing Assistant (sync):
LET ME GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.
Nursing Assistant (sync):
IT’S HARD. OH, BUT SEE, THERE IT IS.
Bob Haig (sync):
DIXIE! DIXIE! HI. THIS IS HER BIRTHDAY TODAY. YOU DIDN’T WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
(Group singing)
Lyrics:
I WOULD NEVER BUDGE ‘TILL SPRING
CREPT OVER ME WINDOWSILL.
SOMEONE’S HEAD RESTIN’ ON MY KNEE,
WARM AN’ TENDER AS HE CAN BE.
WHO TAKES GOOD CARE OF ME,
OH, WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY?
LOVERLY, LOVERLY, LOVERLY, LOVERLY.
(singing ends)
Joe Kuntz (sync):
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE?
Edie Herrold (sync):
BOURBON AND WATER.
Joe Kuntz (sync):
JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND, OK?
Edie Herrold (sync):
I TRY TO HAVE DINNER WITH LLOYD ONCE A WEEK. IT’S JUST HE EXPECTS THINGS FROM ME THAT I CAN’T DO.
Edie Herrold (sync):
- SLIPPERY.
(group laughs)
Ralph Nelson (sync):
THAT I DIDN’T, I DIDN’T -
Edie Herrold (sync):
JUST MARVELOUS!
Edie Herrold (VO):
MY FRIEND HAS OFFERRED TO BRING LLOYD UP FOR COCKTAILS, BUT, UH-
Edie Herrold (sync):
I REALLY DON’T WANT HIM THERE. YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE WITH MY FRIENDS BY MYSELF.
Edie Herrold (sync):
HELLO KATHERINE.
(music begins)
(restaurant chatter in background)
Ralph Nelson (VO):
I DON’T CALL IT A DATE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THE LADIES THAT I ENJOY – GOING OUT AND JUST HAVING A FUN TIME.
(Ralph and Date chatting)
Ralph Nelson (VO):
IT’S JUST FUN TO EXCHANGE IDEAS WITH WOMEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE THOUGHTFUL WOMEN. LIKE MY WIFE, SHE WAS JUST A GREAT PERSON TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH HER. I GUESS I JUST MISS THAT.
(music fades)
Ralph Nelson (sync):
IT’S SAD THAT I - I’VE FINALLY ADMITTED MY AGE. I UH -
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
(Laughs)
Ralph Nelson (sync):
THE KIDS, DICK AND CHRIS, AND - ARE GOING – AND TAKE NICOLE, AND ARE GOING ON A SAFARI –
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
OH.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
- IN AFRICA IN, UH, DURING SPRING BREAK.
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
HMM.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
AND THEY SAID, “COME ON AND GO.” AND THEN I BEGAN TO LOOK AT THOSE TRY – TIMES IN THE AIRPLANES. I MEAN THERE’S NINE AND TEN HOURS – NO WAY.
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
UM-HM.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
I CAN’T DO THAT.
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
THAT - THAT’S A PRETTY LONG TIME.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
IT IS.
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
YEAH.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
AND THEY SAID, “WELL YOU CAN GO EARLY AND STAY OVER,” BUT THAT STILL IS –
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
UM-HM. YEAH. YOU SURE YOU COULDN’T MAKE THAT NINE HOURS? THAT’S – THAT’S NOT TOO BAD. I THINK YOU COULD DO IT.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
I’M TELLING – I WOULD LOVE TO, BUT I’M SCARED.
Phyllis Wagoner (sync):
(Clears throat) I THINK YOU COULD DO IT.
Edie Herrold, Jr. (sync):
WELL YOU HEAR OF PEOPLE LIKE RUNNING MARATHONS IN THEIR LATE SEVENTIES, AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE JUST DON’T REALLY HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE YOU’D LIKE TO SEE AT ALL.
Graphic Onscreen:
EDIE HERROLD, JR.
LLOYD & EDIE’S DAUGHTER
Edie Herrold, Jr. (sync):
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU WONDER IF THEY’RE GONNA JUST KEEP LIVING IN THIS, LIKE, REDUCED STATE FOR TWENTY MORE YEARS OR SOMETHING. AND - AND, I HAVE TO SAY, IT MAKES ME THINK, “WOW, AM I GONNA HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING FOR THEM FOR TWENTY MORE YEARS,” AND BY – BY WHICH TIME I’LL BE, YOU KNOW, AT AN AGE WHERE (Laughs) I MIGHT BE NE - NEEDING HELP, AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR MY LIFE?
(Edie Herrold & Edie Herrold Jr. discussing bills)
Edie Herrold, Jr. (VO):
YOU KNOW, I TAKE CARE OF ALL THE BUSINESS STUFF, AND IT TAKES A CHUNK OF TIME.
Helene Butler (sync):
OK. AND EDIE, YOU WANT – DO YOU WANT THIS TO - HAVE YOU SENT THE PAYMENT OFF FOR THE – DID YOU GET THE MONTHLY STATEMENT FOR TOWER YET? THAT’S THE FORM, AND ALL I REALLY NEED IS THE BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER - WHATEVER ACCOUNT YOU WANT IT TO COME OUT OF.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
OK. SO THE ONLY OTHER THING – I HAVEN’T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM CARE POLICIES, BUT –
Helene Butler (sync):
YOU KNOW WHAT, AND EDIE, IF I WERE YOU WHAT I’D DO IS I’D GET ON THE PHONE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY -
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, I PROBABLY SHOULD.
Helene Butler (sync):
- AND CHECK THAT LONG-TERM CARE NOW.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
IT’S BEEN REALLY HARD FOR ME TO FIND A DAY TO DO THIS STUFF LATELY.
Helene Butler (sync):
IT’S A LOT.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
IT’S KIND OF NUTS.
Helene Butler (sync):
IT IS. IT’S A LOT. UH, JUST HANG IN THERE.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
OH YEAH.
Helene Butler (sync):
YOU’LL BE OK.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
ALL RIGHT.
Helene Butler (sync):
I KNOW IT GETS ROUGH SOMETIMES.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, WELL YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES I WISH THAT I HAD MORE ENERGY FOR JUST HAVIN’ FUN WITH THEM INSTEAD OF – I FEEL LIKE I GET TANGLED UP IN DOING ALL THE – THE, YOU KNOW, THE BUSINESS END OF IT, AND – AND I ONLY HAVE X AMOUNT OF TIME.
Helene Butler (sync):
UM-HM.
(music begins)
(dishware clinking)
Arienne Balser (sync):
PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE HELP ME.
Erika Stoving (sync):
I’VE GOT TWO STRAWS RIGHT HERE ARIENNE.
Arienne Balser (sync):
PLEASE HELP ME.
Erika Stoving (sync):
ARIENNE, WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Arienne Balser (sync):
I NEED HELP.
Erika Stoving (sync):
OK, WHAT DO YOU NEED HELP WITH? GOOD.
Arienne Balser (sync):
YOU’RE HURTING ME NOW. NOT ALL RIGHT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
ARIENNE, I’M NOT EVEN TOUCHING YOU.
Arienne Balser (sync):
PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE GIVE ME A PAIN PILL.
Erika Stoving (sync):
I JUST GAVE YOU THREE OF ‘EM. OK? I WANNA GO FIND A STETHOSCOPE AND I’LL BE RIGHT BACK, OK?
Arienne Balser (sync):
YES.
(pumping up blood pressure cuff)
Arienne Balser (sync):
PLEASE HELP ME. YOU’RE HURTING ME NOW. YOU’RE HURTING ME NOW.
Erika Stoving (sync):
ARIENNE, YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS VERY HIGH.
Arienne Balser (sync):
I NEED HELP. YOU’RE HURTING ME NOW.
Erika Stoving (sync):
IM SORRY, HONEY.
Arienne Balser (sync):
PLEASE DON’T CALL ME HONEY.
Erika Stoving (sync):
ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
Erika Stoving (VO):
HI, AMY. IT’S ERIKA. HEY. I JUST, UH, GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH DR. FIELD AND WE’RE GONNA SEND YOUR MOM TO COLOMBIA HOSPITAL – THE EMERGENCY ROOM THERE. UM, THERE COULD BE SOME, UM, SOME STROKES - SOME MINI T.I.A.’S OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT GOING ON. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY THAT? SHE’S NOT USING THAT RIGHT SIDE AS MUCH AS SHE SHOULD.
(automobile hum)
(music fades)
Lakaya Coleman (sync):
OK.
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
WE SHOULD PUT HIM IN BED THEN.
Lakaya Coleman (sync):
WE’RE GONNA GET YOU READY FOR BED SOON, OK?
Theodore Chudik (sync):
YEAH.
Lakaya Coleman (sync):
OK?
Jeraldine Cosey (sync):
LET ME GET SOME LINEN; I GOTTA MAKE MISS COGG’S BED.
Edie Herrold (sync):
HONEY, I’M GOING TO HAVE SURGERY THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. THEY’RE GONNA CUT THE BACK OF MY NECK AND CLEAR OUT ALL THE GUNK THAT IS ADHERING TO THE UPPER PART OF MY SPINE. THEY WILL PUT TWO PERMANENT PINS IN THE BACK OF MY NECK. AND I WAS TOLD IF I DON’T DO IT I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE IN A WHEELCHAIR, AND I DON’T WANT THAT. SO I’M DOING THE SURGERY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YOU COULD’VE SHARED A LITTLE MORE THAN –
Edie Herrold (sync):
WELL, I DIDN’T WANT TO TELL YOU BECAUSE YOU WORRY, AND I DIDN’T WANT – YOU’RE A PROFESSIONAL WORRY-WORT -
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
I AM NOT.
Edie Herrold (sync):
-AND I DIDN’T WANT TO WORRY YOU.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU GET AWAY WITH SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT IN PUBLIC.
Edie Herrold (sync):
WELL, I DID. ANYWAY, YOU KNOW NOW, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT’S – THAT’S WHAT WE’RE DOING. I WILL ADMIT I’VE GOT ALL MY FUNERAL PLANS, UH, PUT TOGETHER. I DON’T PLAN TO USE ALL OF THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE, BUT AT LEAST IT’S DONE.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
CAN YOU OPEN YOUR EYES FOR ME PLEASE? OOH, HI. HOW ARE YA?
Arienne Balser (sync):
HI.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
NICE TO SEE YA. YOU’VE GOT REALLY PRETTY, BABY-BLUE EYES.
Arienne Balser (sync):
YOU’RE HURTING ME NOW. PLEASE STOP HURTING ME. YOU’RE HURTING ME. STOP HURTING ME, PLEASE.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK. I WILL. NOW I DON’T THINK THAT WE CAN FEED HER RIGHT NOW SAFELY. I’M AFRAID SHE’D APSPIRATE.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
OK.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK. I NEED TO ASK YOU ABOUT CODE STATUS.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
ABOUT?
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
CODE STATUS.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
OH, YEAH. UM, SHE HAS AN ADVANCED DIRECTIVE, WHICH I BROUGHT WITH ME. IT SHOULD BE A -
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK. IS IT A NO-CODE?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
TELL ME WHAT A NO-CODE IS, UH –
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
UH, A NO-CODE WOULD BE IF HER HEART STOPPED BEATING WE WOULD NOT TRY TO RESUSCITATE HER.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I THINK SHE WANTS TO BE-
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
WE WOULD NOT PUT HER ON A RESPIRATOR.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I WANT TO GET YOU THE EXACT WORDING OF THIS.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
BECAUSE SHE MADE HER WISHES KNOWN AND WHATEVER THIS LAYS OUT IN TERMS OF DECISION, THAT’S WHAT I WOULD WANT TO GO BY. SHE WANTS TO HAVE MEASURES TAKEN – I WANT TO FIND THE EXACT LANGUAGE FOR YOU – AS LONG AS THERE WILL BE SOME QUALITY OF LIFE.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
FOR HER, UM-
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
IF THE POWER OF ATTORNEY HASN’T BEEN ACTICVATED, I THINK IT SHOULD BE. I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD BE MAKING HER MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR HER.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I’M ALWAYS HERE AND I SIGN FOR HER A LOT, UM-
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK, AND THEN WE’LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT TWO OR THREE DAYS. WE’RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE SOME SORT OF A DECISION ABOUT TUBE FEEDINGS.
(nurses talking in background)
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OR IF SHE’S STILL HAVING A LOT OF SPEECH DIFICULTY TOMORROW AND HER RIGHT SIDE ISN’T MOVING, THEN WE’LL GET AN M.R.I. SCAN.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
OK.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
AND THAT’LL USUALLY SHOW AN ABNORMALITY WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR TO FORTY-EIGHT HOURS, AND I THINK SHE WAS SOMEWHAT LIKE THIS YESTERDAY EVEN, RIGHT?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
LIKE WHAT?
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
DECREASED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS, ETCETERA.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I WASN’T WITH HER YESTERDAY. I DON’T KNOW - IF THAT’S WHAT THE NURSING HOME TOLD YOU.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I WASN’T WITH HER YESTERDAY.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
NO, THAT’S OK.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
SO, I DON’T KNOW.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
YOU CAN’T GO THERE EVERYDAY, YOU KNOW? RIGHT?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
NO, I DON’T. I CAN’T.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
OK.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
AND MY HUSBAND’S OUT OF TOWN NOW, SO -
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
I KNOW, BUT YOU CAN’T.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YEAH. UM -
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
‘CAUSE SHE DRIVES YOU… IT’S NOT EASY VISITING PEOPLE IN THE NURSING HOME AND THEY CAN’T COMMUNICATE LIKE PERHAPS YOU USED TO DO.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YEAH.
Dr. Michael Blick (sync):
THAT’S REALLY HARD DUTY.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
YEAH.
Sign Reads:
NEUROSURGERY
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
WE’LL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE WE CAN GO SEE HER. UM, THEY’RE GONNA TRY TO FIND THE DOCTOR AND SEE IF HE CAN COME DOWN AND TELL US WHAT’S GOING ON. BUT ANYWAY SHE’S OUT.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
HMM. WELL THAT’S GOOD.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
WELL THAT’S GOOD.
(Lloyd takes a deep breath)
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH.
Dr. Wade Mueller (sync):
SHE’S DOING FINE. SHE’S UP THERE, WAKING UP AND MOVING EVERYTHING VERY WELL, SO SHE LOOKS GOOD. THE OPERATION WENT FINE. UH, SO WE HAVE HER ALL LOCKED DOWN AND DECOMPRESSED. SO LET’S SEE IF THIS DOES THE JOB FOR HER, WHICH I THINK IT WILL.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
SO GOOD.
Dr. Wade Mueller (sync):
YEAH.
Edie Herrold (sync):
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND BACK.
Richard Polk (sync):
THAT’S FOUR, YOU OK?
Edie Herrold (sync):
YEAH. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND BACK. THIS IS TERRIBLY HARD. ONE, TWO, THREE-
Edie Herrold (voice over):
I AM A SURVIVOR. I WILL NOT GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT I GET. I’M JUST NOT GOING TO GIVE IN. YOU KNOW, I’VE HAD CANCER. I’VE HAD ALL SORTS OF THINGS BUT UM, SO YOU SURMOUNT THEM.
Richard Polk (sync):
SEVEN. BREATHE. I GOT YOU, DON’T WORRY I GOT YOU. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO FALL.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I TRIED…THREE DAYS IN A ROW TO GET HOLD OF HER AND I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO REACH HER BUT THEY TELL ME SHE’S FINE SO…
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
THAT KINDA BROKE MY HEART. SHE’S IN THE SAME BUILDING ON A DIFFERENT FLOOR, AND HE’S CALLING ME TO FIND OUT HOW SHE’S DOING. IT’S STRANGE.
John George (sync):
HE’S OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT HER. UM, THE ONE GOOD THING IS HIS PERCEPTION OF TIME ISN’T THAT ACCURATE. SO HE’LL TELL YOU HE HASN’T SEEN HER IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND THE REALITY IS THAT HE HASN’T SEEN HER IN SEVERAL WEEKS. SO,UM, THAT PART IS GOOD BECAUSE I’D FEEL REALLY WORSE IF HE HAD AN ACCURATE IDEA OF HOW LONG HE HASN’T SEEN HER, UM, THAT IT HAS BEEN AS LONG AS IT’S BEEN. SO, UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE, I MEAN I SAW HER THE OTHER DAY AND SHE LOOKS VERY GOOD. AND, UM, I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE A VISIT. I THINK IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO HIM.
(organ music)
Edie Herrold Jr. (VO):
WELL, I MEAN, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN ORDER GIVEN OUT NOT TO BRING MY DAD TO, TO SEE MY MOM BECAUSE HER BLOOD SUGAR WENT UP OVER THREE HUNDRED WHEN HE WAS AROUND AND SO THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HER HEALTH.
Edie Herrold (sync):
I MEAN, I, I TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT’S GOING ON. I CAN THINK OF REASONS, HER OWN FEARS ABOUT HER OWN AGING THAT MAKE, WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HER TO SEE HIM AGING. AND THEN, I MEAN HE USED TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING AND NOW HE CAN’T. SO, I MEAN THERE’S JUST A LOT OF - I MEAN I’M SURE IT’S VERY DIFFICULT. BUT TO NOT WANT TO SEE HIM AT ALL SEEMS VERY STRANGE TO ME.
Enchantra Cosey (VO):
I GUESS IT’S JUST HARD FOR HER TO SEE HER HUSBAND GO DOWN LIKE THAT.
Graphic Onscreen:
ENCHANTRA COSEY
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Enchantra Cosey (sync):
MAYBE SHE DIDN’T THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW. I THINK IT WOULD BE HARD TO SEE ANY LOVED ONE GO DOWN - I MEAN SOMEONE YOU’RE CLOSE TO AND THEY’RE STILL IN THE SAME PLACE AND SHE GETS TO SEE HIM THAT WAY. I THINK IT’S JUST HARD ON HER.
Edie Herrold (sync):
I SEE HIM AND I ALMOST DON’T RECOGNIZE HIM. HE JUST DOESN’T EVEN LOOK LIKE THE SAME PERSON, WHICH IS NOT VERY EASY.
(soft guitar music)
Edie Herrold (sync):
I TALKED TO FATHER BOB A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS AND I SAID, “YOU KNOW, I AM FEELING GUILTY BECAUSE I DON’T GO SEE HIM.” HE SAID, “YOU STOP THAT. YOU’VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.” SO I RARELY SEE LLOYD ANYMORE. I WILL SEE HIM OCCASIONALLY. BUT I’M NOT GOING DOWN TO THE NURSING HOME.
(vacuum cleaner running)
Bob Haig (VO):
YOU’RE A PRETTY LADY.
Dolores Haig (sync):
WHAT?
Bob Haig (sync):
I SAID, “YOU’RE A VERY PRETTY LADY.”
Dolores Haig (sync):
OH, (laughs) THANK YOU BOB.
Bob Haig (sync):
SEE, SHE STILL REMEMBERS MY NAME.
Dolores Haig (sync):
EVEN WITH MY HAIR ALL MESSY?
Bob Haig (sync):
NO, YOUR HAIR LOOKS GOOD DOWN. THERE.
Lisa Gildehaus (sync):
DO YOU WORRY THAT SHE’LL FOGET YOUR NAME?
Bob Haig (sync):
IN TIME THEY TOLD ME SHE WOULD. THAT’S WHAT THEY SAID, IN TIME.
John George (sync):
SO LET’S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DOLORES. THIS IS HER SECOND MARRIAGE AND IT IS MR. HAIG’S SECOND MARRIAGE, AS WELL. THEY BOTH HAVE CHILDREN FROM PREVIOUS MARRIAGES.
Erika Stoving (sync):
SHE USED TO PLAY THE PIANO, BUT SHE DOESN’T DO TO WELL WITH IT NOW. SHE USED TO KNIT. SHE USED TO LOVE TO WALK AND SWIM, GOLF AND DANCE. SHE DID A LOT OF GARDENING. SHE LOVED TO GARDEN. SHE HAS A GREEN THUMB AND CAN GROW JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. SHE HAS A VAST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE WITH HER LATE HUSBAND, AS WELL AS WITH BOB. WITH BOB THEY WENT TO JAPAN, AUSTRAILIA NEW ZEALAND, FIJI.
THEN THEY TOOK A COUPLE OF CRUISES TO EUROPE. AND RUSSIA ITALY, SPAIN, TURKEY, GREECE.
John George (sync):
WOW.
Erika Stoving (sync):
MANY TRIPS TO ENGLAND.
John George (sync):
HOW HAVE THINGS BEEN WITH MR. HAIG?
Sheila Jeff (sync):
HE’S BEEN A LITTLE BIT BETTER—MAYBE BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN TELLING HIM, YOU KNOW, JUST TO CALM DOWN, WE’RE GONNA GET TO HER OR SOMETHING. BUT HE HASN’T BEEN, HE HASN’T BEEN, HE’S BEEN PRETTY GOOD LATELY.
John George (sync):
HE’S REALLY A GOOD MAN. HE’S HAD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LOSS IN HIS LIFE. HIS PARENTS WERE KILLED AT A VERY EARLY AGE. HE, HIS ONLY SON DIED VERY EARLY. THEN HIS WIFE DIED, WHO HE LOVED A GREAT DEAL. SO I KNOW SOMETIMES HE WANTS THINGS RIGHT NOW AND HE WANT DOLORES UP RIGHT NOW AND I THINK HE DOES THOSE THINGS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO KEEP HER AS ACTIVE AND HER MIND AS ACTIVE AS HE CAN TO TRY TO SLOW THIS DEMENTIA PROCESS DOWN AND, AND TO KEEP HER WHO, YOU KNOW, WHO SHE WAS. HE IS REALLY CONVINCED THAT IF HE LETS DOLORES SLEEP IN BED ALL DAY, SHE’LL SHRIVEL UP, THAT DEMENTIA WILL OVERTAKE HER AND THAT’LL BE THE END OF DOLORES.
Erika Stoving (sync):
HEY ARIENNE. YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
Arienne Balser (sync):
ERIKA.
Erika Stoving (sync):
THAT’S RIGHT. HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
Arienne Balser (sync):
PRETTY GOOD.
Erika Stoving (sync):
WE MISS YOU.
Arienne Balser (sync):
I’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.
Erika Stoving (sync):
GOOD. WE’RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU COME BACK HOME, YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?
Sign Reads:
MRS. ARIENNE BALSER
Erika Stoving (sync):
RIGHT THERE, GUYS.
Nursing Assistant (sync):
WELCOME HOME, ARIENNE.
Leticia Bowie (sync):
HI ARIENNE.
Yemisi Taylor (sync):
HI ARIENNE.
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS TO HAVE A PLACE THAT CAN PROVIDE HER WITH JUST AS GOOD A SITUATION AS SHE CAN HAVE GIVEN THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE’S NOT IN A GREAT WAY.
Yolanda McGee (sync):
HI, HOW ARE YOU?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
GOOD, HOW ARE YOU?
Yolanda McGee (sync):
OH GOOD. COMING TO VISIT ARIENNE?
Amy Blumenthal (sync):
I AM.
Yoland McGee (sync):
THAT’S GOOD.
Amy Blumenthal (VO)
IT ALWAYS MAKES IT EASIER BECAUSE I KNOW SHE HAS REALLY CARING PEOPLE, A NICE ENVIRONMENT, THERE’S SOMEBODY, UM, WHO KNOWS HER AND WHO CAN TAKE CARE OF HER.
Leticia Bowie (sync):
DAGMAR ASKED ABOUT YOU. SHE MISSED YOU, SHE SAID. MAYBE SHE’LL COME DOWN AND SEE YOU, OK?
Arienne Balser (sync):
OK.
Sign Reads:
HERROLD’S HARBOR
EST. 1937
Bill Herrold (sync):
HERE, STAND UP A LITTLE BIT STRAIGHTER. GET YOUR WEIGHT FORWARD. YOU CAN DO IT. TAKES A MINUTE FOR HIM TO GET STRONGER, YOU KNOW. HOLD ON TO ME. YOU’RE ALMOST DONE. ARE YOU FEELING OK? ALMOST GOT IT.
John George (VO):
YOU KNOW, WE’VE HAD SOME RESIDENTS LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT STAFF WHO WANTED TO DO THAT.
Bill Herrold (sync):
ALL RIGHT. WE GOT THOSE, THE REST OF THE STEPS NOW.
John George (VO):
AND THAT’S VERY UNTRADITIONAL FOR US. WE NORMALLY WOULD STOP THEM AT THE DOOR AND SAY NO. BUT THAT’S, THAT’S A RISK AND WE’VE DECIDED THAT THAT’S IMPORTANT TO THEM AND THAT’S PART OF THEIR LIFE. THE STAFF FELT THAT THEY WOULD BE OK. AND IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY CAN’T STILL ENJOY THAT PART OF THEIR LIFE.
Bill Herrold (sync):
OK. ONE MORE BIG ONE.
(wheelchair bangs on boat)
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
OH JEEZ!
Bill Herrold (sync):
SORRY. WATCH THAT, WATCH THAT FIRST STEP. IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT HE WOULD, HE WOULD, HE WOULD BE TAKING ME UP HERE, SO IT’S THE LEAST I CAN DO. I MEAN IT’ S, IT’S EXTRA WORK FOR ME, BUT IT, BUT IT, THAT’S NOT, IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT ME. IT’S ABOUT, IT’S ABOUT HIM AND OUR RELATIONSHIP. I LOVE HIM, HE’S MY DAD.
(splash)
(splashing in water)
Bill Herrold (VO):
IT SEEMED LIKE, LIKE YOU WERE SORT OF AGELESS FOR A LONG TIME. YOU, IT SEEMED LIKE YOU HADN’T AGED FOR MANY YEARS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU AGED REALLY RAPIDLY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I WAS FINE UNTIL FOUR WEEKS AGO.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
SOME THINGS GET TO YOU AFTER AWHILE.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
THIS IS ABOUT THE DEEPEST TROUGH I’VE BEEN IN
Bob Haig (sync):
PEOPLE ASK ME CONSTANTLY ABOUT HOW MUCH ATTENTION I PAY TO MY WIFE.
Pastor Richard Cobb (sync):
BECAUSE SHE HAS ALZHEIMER’S NOW, OK?
Bob Haig (sync):
I SAID WHEN I GOT MARRIED I MADE A COMITMENT—THROUGH GOODNESS OR BAD TIMES I WOULD LOVE HER AND TAKE CARE OF HER. AND MANY TIMES I GET WEAK AND I’LL, I SAY, “WHY ME.” AND THEN SOMEHOW HE TALKS TO ME. FIRST THING I SAY WHEN I GET UP, AS MY FEET TOUCH THE FLOOR, I SAY, “GOOD LORD THANK YOU FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE, AND NOW I WANT YOU TO STAY WITH ME AND GIVE ME PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING AND NOT EVER LOSE HOPE.”
(slow piano music)
Bob Haig (VO):
THERE ARE TIMES TEARS COME TO MY EYES WHEN I THINK OF THE TIMES WE’VE HAD TOGETHER. I’VE BEEN MARRIED TO HER FOR OVER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. WHEN WE WENT PLACES, WE ENJOYED EACH OTHER’S COMPANY. I CAN’T SAY IT’S THE SAME RIGHT NOW. IT’S UH, LIKE I HAVE ANOTHER CHILD WHO NEEDS CARE. THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT I DO THAT I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO DO. I WISH SHE WEREN’T SICK WITH ALL MY HEART. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW. SHE LOST INTEREST IN PHYSICAL RELATIONS. IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, YOU TAKE CARE OF ‘EM NO MATTER WHAT. YOU MAKE THEIR LIFE AS EASY AS YOU CAN. BUT UH, I DON’T HAVE HER TRUE COMPANIONSHIP AND THAT’S WHAT YOU MISS. BECAUSE SHE’S NOT A COMPANION TRULY NOW; SHE’S A DEPENDENT. I HAVE MEMORIES.
(music ends)
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT BLUE WATER OUT THERE.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, ISN’T IT? DID YOU EVER PLAY TENNIS DOWN ON THOSE COURTS?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
ONCE OR TWICE.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, ME TOO.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I HOPE I HAVEN’T PLAYED MY LAST ROUND OF TENNIS
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, YOU REALLY LOVED IT, DIDN’T YOU. AND YOU WERE SAYING?
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I SHOULD GIVE HER TO ADJUST
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YOUR WIFE?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
THAT ONE? HER NAME IS EDIE. IS THAT WHO YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT? MY MOM?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
BOY, THAT’S A TOUGH ONE DAD.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
WELL, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT SAY TELL HER TO GO TO HELL.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YEAH, PROBABLY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync/cc):
BUT I’M NOT THAT KIND
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
SHE’S LUCKY AND SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW IT.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
SHE KNOWS IT.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
(laughs) SHE SHOULD. YOU’RE A PATIENT GUY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
DO YOU THINK I’M CRAZY TO GET INVOLVED WITH A WOMAN WHO’S SIX YEARS OLDER THAN I AM?
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
SIX YEARS OLDER—NOW WHO’S THAT? WHO’S… I DON’T KNOW. I THINK YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
THAT’S A GOOD ANSWER.
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
YEAH.
(“Getting to Know You” begins)
John George (sync):
HER DAUGHTER CAME TO ME. BASICALLY SHE SAID, “I’VE NOTICED SOMETHING’S GOING ON HERE.” AND I SAID, “WE KNOW.” AND SHE GOES “WELL, UM, I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED AT FIRST.” I SAID, “OH,” AND SHE GOES, “WELL, HE’S A, HE’S A MARRIED MAN.” I SAID, I KNOW. “BUT MY MOTHER HASN’T LOOKED THIS HAPPY IN YEARS.”
Kathie Eilers (sync):
THAT’S GREAT.
John George (sync):
THEY DO GET ALONG BEAUTIFULLY.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
WELL, AND HE’S NOT GETTING ANY ATTENTION…
John George (sync):
NO
Kathie Eilers (sync):
ANYWHERE ELSE, SO.
John George (sync):
THEY BOTH ARE VERY HAPPY. AND I GO, “WELL WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE TOLD THEM THEY COULDN’T BE FRIENDS ANYMORE OR COULDN’T HOLD HANDS?” YOU HAVE TWO DEMENTED PEOPLE—THEY WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND. THEY WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE BEING PUNISHED. I SAID, “WHAT GOOD WOULD IT DO THEM?” SHE GOES, “YOU’RE RIGHT.” I GO, “DON’T WORRY.”
Kathie Eilers (sync):
THAT’S A VIOLATION OF THEIR RIGHTS.
John George (sync):
YEAH, RIGHT. AND SHE WAS LIKE, SHE’S LIKE, “WELL DOES HIS FAMILY KNOW?” AND I GO, “WELL, HE’S HIS OWN PERSON SO WE DON’T REALLY HAVE A RIGHT TO TELL HIS FAMILY.”
Kathie Eilers (sync):
I DON’T THINK IT’S ANY OF OUR BUSINESS.
John George (sync):
I KNOW, BUT I MEAN WHAT LEVEL DOES DEMENTIA PLAY INTO THAT?
Kathie Eilers (sync):
WELL, HE’S NOT BEEN DECLARED INCOMPETENT, HAS HE?
John George (sync):
NO.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
OK. IF A COURT DECLARES HIM INCOMPETENT, THEN WE SHOULD GET INVOLVED.
John George (sync):
WELL THAT WOULD BE MY KINDA TAKE ON IT, AS WELL.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
UP UNTIL THEN…
John George (sync):
WE LEAVE THEM ALONE.
Kathie Eilers (sync):
I’D LEAVE THEM ALONE. WE SHOULD ALL BE SO LUCKY.
John George (sync):
YES.
Mary Griffith (sync):
IT’S WONDERFUL, JUST GREAT. HE’S JUST SO LOVING WITH ME. I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH. HE DOES EVERYTHING HE CAN FOR ME AND I FOR
HIM AND WE JUST LOVE EACH OTHER. IT’S JUST A NEW LIFE. I HOPE IT’LL WORK OUT.
(“Getting to Know You” begins)
Ralph Nelson (sync):
IF YOU DIDN’T LIKE PEOPLE, OLD AGE COULD BE A REAL B-I-T-C-H. THAT’S ANOTHER REASON I MOVED IN HERE BECAUSE I FIND YOU CAN JUST BE AS FRIENDLY WITH THEM AND THEY JUST OPEN UP TO YOU. THAT’S PRETTY DAMN NEAT! IF I WASN’T IN A PLACE LIKE THIS, THINGS MIGHT NOT BE SO GOOD. I NEVER WANT TO BE NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF COMPLETELY, YOU KNOW. I JUST HOPE I DON’T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT, BUT I BETCHA, I BETCHA I’LL BE ALL RIGHT. THEY’LL TAKE CARE OF ME. THAT’S A PART OF THE DEAL. I WOULDN’T AUTOMATICALLY SHOOT MYSELF IF I HAD TO COME HERE.
(Slower music begins)
John George (VO):
I THINK THAT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE, BUT I WANT EMPLOYEES TO REALLY KNOW THEM. I WANT THEM AND THE STAFF TO REALLY COME TOGETHER TO BE LIKE A FAMILY.
John George (sync):
GOODNIGHT MR. HERROLD.
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
THANK YOU.
John George (VO):
ONCE YOU START THIS MOVEMENT, IT NEVER STOPS. WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT IS THE NEXT BIG STEP AND THEN WHAT’S GONNA BE NEXT AFTER THAT. HOW ARE WE GONNA HELP PEOPLE CHALLENGE EACH OTHER AND CHALLENGE THE SYSTEM. YOU KNOW, THERE CAN BE A DIFFERENENCE, WHICH ISN’T GONNA HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. IT’S NOT GONNA BE EASY. THIS IS GONNA TAKE SOME REALLY DEEP SYSTEM CHANGES, AND IT’S NEVER GONNA REACH UTOPIA AND THAT’S OK BECAUSE THIS EVOLUTION WILL CONTINUE.
(bouncy music begins)
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
(burps)
(laughs)
Edie Herrold Jr. (sync):
THAT’S MY POP! (laughs)
Graphic Onscreen:
PRODUCED, DIRECTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY
BRAD LICHTENSTEIN
Graphic Onscreen:
CO-PRODUCED, CO-DIRECTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY
LISA GILDEHAUS
Graphic Onscreen:
EDITED BY
TOM HANEKE
Graphic Onscreen:
ORIGINAL MUSIC BY
VERNON REID
Bob Haig (sync):
WATCH OUT FOR MY NOSE.
Brad Lichtenstein (sync):
OK, I’M TRYING TO AVOID IT. (laughs)
Bob Haig (sync):
YEAH. (laughs)
(credit roll begins)
Graphic Onscreen:
SOUND RECORDED BY
LAUREN BURKE, ERIN CASTRAPEL
ERIC GERBER, LISA GILDEHAUS
ALDEN HOOT, BEN KRUTZIK
NIKE NEUMAN, ANDREW ROSAS
CHRIS THOMPSON
Graphic Onscreen:
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
LAUREN BURKE
ERIN CASTRAPEL
Graphic Onscreen:
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
LAUREN BURKE, ERIN CASTRAPEL
BEN KRUTZIK, ANDREW ROSAS
CHRIS THOMPSON
Graphic Onscreen:
PRODUCTION INTERNS
ERIC GERBER, ALDEN HOOT
MIKE NEUMAN, CASEY SCHOMMER
KELSI STOEHR
Graphic Onscreen:
ASSISTANT EDITORS
PAUL CONIGLIARO, BEN KRUTZIK
JOAQUIN PEREZ, CHRIS THOMPSON
Graphic Onscreen:
COLORIST
D.C. CARDINALI
CRAWFORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Graphic Onscreen:
PUBLICIST
MARY LUGO
Gloria Rosario (sync):
WE NEED PILLOWCASES. WE DON’T HAVE PILLOWCASES - WHAT YOU DOING?
Graphic Onscreen:
PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT
MONA DUFF
Graphic Onscreen:
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST
SUE THOMAS
Graphic Onscreen:
PROJECT FISCAL SPECIALIST
ED RODRIGUEZ
Graphic Onscreen:
TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES
ABC WORD PROCESSING
BMV TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES
Graphic Onscreen:
LEGAL COUNSEL
UNIVERISTY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
OFFICE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
BECK, CHAET & BAMBERGER, S.C.
Graphic Onscreen:
ADDITIONAL MUSIC:
“PRELUDE”
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM HENRY HARRIS
PUBLISHED BY OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
“WOULDN’T IT BE LOVERLY?”
WRITTEN BY ALAN JAY LERNER AND FREDERICK LOEWE
PUBLISHED BY CHAPPELL & CO., INC (ASCAP)
“I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT”
WRITTEN BY ALAN JAY LERNER AND FREDERICK LOEWE
PUBLISHED BY CHAPPELL & CO., INC. (ASCAP)
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU”
WRITTEN BY MILDRED J. HILL AND PATTY SMITH HILL
PUBLISHED BY SUMMY-BIRCHARD CO. (ASCAP)
“GETTING TO KNOW YOU”
WRITTEN BY RICHARD RODGERS AND OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAMSON MUSIC
“SEPTEMBER NOCTURNE”
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY PAUL HALLEY
PUBLISHED BY BACK ALLEY MUSIC (ASCAP)
COURTESY OF EARTH MUSIC PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Graphic Onscreen:
ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE COURTESY OF:
ACTION-PACT
MEDCOM/TRAINEX
TERRA NOVA FILMS
John George (sync):
I THINK WE LOOK GOOD.
Ralph Nelson (sync):
(laughs)
Graphic Onscreen:
THE PRODUCERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER
BILL T. JONES/ARNIE ZANE DANCE COMPANY
ANNE DAVIS BASTING
BRADY STREET BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
WILLIAM ROBERT BUCKER
CHILDREN’S LUBAVITCH LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER
COLUMBIA ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL
ETHAN ALLEN JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
THE FOREVER FRIENDS PROGRAM
FROEDTERT AND MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
KURT HARTWIG
BENJAMIN AND WILLIAM LICHTENSTEIN
MILLER PARK
MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
NANCY SIEFERT NORTH SHORE DANCE STUDIO
NORTHSHORE MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
SUE THOMPSON
TULA’S
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE FILM DEPARTMENT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION
YE OLDE SCHOOL
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WHAT YOU’RE DOING IS SOMETHING LIKE FISHING.
Brad Lichtenstein (sync):
HOW DO YOU MEAN?
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
WELL, YOU GO OUT AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO CATCH.
(laughs)
Graphic Onscreen:
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
THE PECK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
THE CENTER ON AGE AND COMMUNITY OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
Marjorie Marshall (sync):
YOU THINK ANYBODY IS GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN THIS DOCUMENTARY?
Graphic Onscreen:
AND THE FAMILIES, RESIDENTS, EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS OF SAINT JOHN’S ON THE LAKE WHOSE ASSISTANCE AND TRUST MADE THIS FILM POSSIBLE.
Lisa Gildehaus (sync):
ARE YOU STILL THERE?
Dagmar Erickson (sync):
I’M DEAD.
Graphic Onscreen:
FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM WAS PROVIDED BY
THE HELEN BADER FOUNDATION
THE JACOB AND VALERIA LANGELOTH FOUNDATION
THE FAYE MCBEATH FOUNDATION
Donna Buxton (sync):
I DON’T HAVE FUN BUT THAT’S BECAUSE I’M OLD.
John George (sync):
THAT’S CUZ YOU’RE OLD? OLD PEOPLE CAN HAVE FUN, TOO.
Donna Buxton (sync):
NOT THE KIND YOU HAVE.
Graphic Onscreen:
FOR WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION
EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION
JAMES STEINBACH
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
KAY KLUBERTANZ
POST PRODUCTION AUDIO
CURT SORENSEN
ONLINE EDITORS
TOM MICKSCH AND RUSS AWE
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SUE FEY
QUALITY CONTROL ENGINEER
PUAL STOFFEL
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER FOR ITVS
SALLY JO FIFER
Lloyd Herrold (sync):
UH-OH.
(laughs)
Graphic Onscreen:
A CO-PRODUCTION OF 371 PRODUCTIONS AND
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ITVS
John George (sync):
START OVER.
Graphic Onscreen:
THIS PROGRAM WAS PRODUCED BY 371 PRODUCTIONS
WHICH IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT
Copyright 2005, 371 PRODUCTIONS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED