Sam on Aging + a Giveaway

Some of you know I have a day job as a hospice social worker. I know, that’s a real conversation stopper, and my job before this one wasn’t much better. I worked in psychiatry. I used to hate when people asked me at a party what I did for a living, because I’d get the deer-in-the-headlights stare and nervous giggles. Now I’m happy to say I’m a writer. Being a romance writer still gets me a few awkward jokes, but so far no one has launched into stories about their love lives, so it’s all good.

The only reason I’m bringing up my job is to explain why my blog is about such an odd topic today. Last week it seemed every visit I made to patients was at a nursing home. What some people may not realize is the nursing home is a pretty happening place. There’s always a lot of activity with entertainment coming in. (One day I showed up when the Packers were making a visit, which unfortunately was lost on me since I’m not a sports fan. I always seem to end up with the Packer encounters, much to my co-worker’s chagrin.) There are card games, exercise classes, and opportunities to shoot the breeze with people you may not have seen in a long time.

I know no one wants to be in a position of needing to have help with dressing, meals, etc., but it happens sometimes. I’ve decided if I ever live in a nursing home, I will adopt a British accent, insist on being addressed as “milady”, and observe afternoon tea. Perhaps I’ll even have some calling cards printed. If it didn’t bother the aristocrats to be waited on hand and foot, why should it bother me? I still can’t believe they didn’t dress themselves.

One thing I’ve noticed about nursing homes is every television in the public area seems to be playing Bonanza. The music programs are usually old time gospel or country. And there’s bingo several times a week. None of these things appeal to me, but for the generation that’s residing in nursing homes now, it’s what a lot of them like, which got me thinking what the activities might be like for my generation. 

Here are just a few thoughts…

* Every television will be set to The CW. Damon, Damon, and more Damon. Sigh. Okay, maybe that will mean adjusting our blood pressure meds, but who’s complaining?

* Bret Michaels will still be touring, only his bandana will cover his whole head.

* Instead of comparing surgeries, we’ll be comparing tattoos and body piercings.

* We’ll have the moves like Jagger, which will explain the broken clavicles.

* Someone will keep pulling the fire alarm, because we really, really like hot firemen.

Man, I’m starting to feel sorry for the younger generation that will have to care for us. Remember, aging is inevitable; growing old is optional!

Can you think of any other activities likely to be going on?

October 1, 2012

Today I’m giving away an ARC of my upcoming release MISS LAVIGNE’S LITTLE WHITE LIE. It’s a story about family and looking out for others, too. Oh, and there’s lots of romance and laughs included. If you would like to be entered into the drawing, just leave a relevant comment along with your email address. Contest open until 11:59 pm central time Wednesday.