Friday, October 28, 2011

Round and round and round we go

It is Friday and I am drained!

If you are a social worker, or just a human being that works, you always prepare yourself for problems that will happen with your clients on the day before the weekend.

And dealing with a problem is exactly what I've been doing since 8:00 this morning.

What the latest and greatest is, I have a person I work with in NYC that
about a year ago, began having seizures.

He also has some major behavioral issues, and problems communicating verbally so does come off as a pretty scary guy.

He was hospitalized for several weeks and discharged with several meds to control both (seizures + behavior).

Anyways, fast forward a few months, he's been a bit resistant at times with following up on his appointments, which lead to scampering around to try to get refills, not to mention trips here and there to the ER.

I finally got him settled into a clinic near his house where he has been compliant with appointments, but now the clinic has been "non-compliant", as their doctors won't write scripts for refills because doctors from
another place had written them previously.

He had to go to the ER last night related to this, and he has to go back again today because THE CLINIC cancelled an appointment with him (well actually they did not even notify him) and will not write refills now.

I am in the process of connecting the guy to a better health center, but if you are in the system and rely on Medicaid, your choices are limited and your wait time is long.

Because of this, I have also been ranting like a lunatic all day because I KNOW that we will probably run into this issue again even if he is able to get some meds today to tide him over.

It is a never ending cycle of which I am begging will soon come to an end if we can find a good outpatient provider.

I am remaining hopeful.........fingers crossed.


From the Coeur de La blog.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

It's okay



To waste time on the internet surfing my favorite sites. (I enjoy so many of them and have found some cool peeps this way).

To also follow up on things at work that sometimes turn into a complete waste of time. (At least I'm getting paid).

To have another not so good yoga week. (As I always say, some yoga is better than NO yoga).

To have a frumpy clothes and bad hair day. (Thank you rain!).

To take care of something I need for me on occasion, instead of going back to the office to do work. (Needed to renew my license and the time evens out regardless).

To pick up the phone after 5PM sometimes to chat with co-workers. (I do this often before business hours too).

To not know what I want to do this weekend yet. (Because not having set plans is usually a GREAT thing).

Wells, we almost made it through another week everyone. Happy soon-to-be weekend. Hope it's whatever you want it to be.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pic for Monday.........



OK, I don't think I go out of my way to piss people off (just the nature of the job), but like I said on here previously, sometimes all you can do is laugh about what is handed to you.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Been up since 3AM

thank goodness for my new toy!!




Late to the Pinterest party

but here are a few simple finds from Old Navy that I may run out and buy in the weeks to come.....












A cute tunic, pretty sweater, jeggings
(I already own these Rockstar ones) lovely scarves and warm sweater boots (I have a pair in brown)add style and comfort to any wardrobe.

If you shop on the cheap like I do, you can pick all of these items up in one quick trip without breaking the bank.

Happy Saturday and happy shopping!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Rumblings and rumors

have been going on at work as of late that they might be closing down a couple of our offices that aren't as productive.


The head guys in charge of our agency also have been MIA all week and not returning important phone calls.


I don't think my job is at risk at all, but it kinda makes me wonder the direction things may be headed.


There has been a lot of drama, finger-pointing, and pass the buck kind of nonsense going on lately so I always joke around that work needs me more than I need them, so if they were to fire or lay-me-off, they would be doing me a favor!


Anyone experience the above?

It's OK

to drop the F bomb at work (as long as I apologize in advance or afterwards).


to vent and complain (as long as I move on and do not fixate).


to skip yoga in turn for rest and family (I can and WILL always go back).


to eat chips, dip and mini-cupcakes for dinner (every once in awhile).


to take some time for just me (and not feel guilty about it).


to drink coffee and tea constantly (hydration and caffi

ene are good!).


to let DS hang out in my room and watch TV without me (hey, it keeps him quiet!).

Anyways, I am so, so glad the weekend is upon us. You should also check out this blog I've recently discovered.

Anyone have fun weekend plans? For me, I have nothing planned so far which is the best kind of weekend plan!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Yesterday

was rough.


Today is a new day though.


It's time to move on.


That's all I can do.


and Hope............for better days ahead.

Friday, October 14, 2011

It's not my job.......I didn't sign up for this.........

I swear to frickin' someone, if I hear this ONE more time, I really am going to punch someone in the stomach.



I can't take this, especially when yes, in fact, it IS your job and not an unreasonable request at that.



I cannot wait for some fresh blood to start at work.



We need more positive people.



That is all.



TGIfuckinFriday!!!!!!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

My saving grace


If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane. ~ Jimmy Buffett



I don't know if Mr. Buffett said it, but I certainly believe it.



Laughter has been my saving grace these past few days at work.



Social work is so stressful sometimes, but no matter how tough it gets, I still have my ability to laugh and smile.



For that, I am truly blessed.



Enjoy the rest of your week everyone. Friday is not that far off.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Agencies that "enable" clients, I think that's the word.......

It's challenging enough to deal with clients and their behaviors.......some that go back generations.

But what if you work somewhere that enables some of this stuff?

This is one of my biggest struggles as a social worker in a for-profit environment.

They look at some of this stuff as "quality customer service".

(i.e. making home visits WAY later then business hours or on weekends, going someplace on behalf of the client because THEY don't feel like going, doing something anyways for a client even though the client is not on the same page............etc.).

I got in a little bit of a debate with my boss over this on Friday.

What had happened was that we took a person out of a nursing home earlier that week.

It takes a few weeks for food stamps to kick in. In the meantime, the family had been buying the person food, take out, having meals with extended family, etc.. I set them up an appointment with the church a couple of blocks away from their house to pick up some groceries from the pantry, told the family they just needed to take the client and show up.

Well, they didn't go.

And I guess our nurse or someone complained (not the client or the family!) that the person was out of food still.

So my boss called me out on this.

I explained that the family was taking care of them, and despite this, I was told "I needed to go anyways and get the food myself or put it on petty cash as it's OUR responsibility to see she is fed."

Is something wrong with this picture?

I get his concern (fear of a neglect allegation), but if a client doesn't follow up on a resource, that's on them. I document it and move on. If the issue happens again, I will address it.

This is one example of many that often comes up though in my work.

How would you handle this?

P.S. It could also be argued that perhaps the family did not WANT a hand-out or that it's cultural for them to not accept the help. My boss didn't see this though and asked the case manager to go instead of me ;).

Friday, October 7, 2011

Thought.

You don't have to react immediately.


Take a moment to pause and reflect on what you want to do.

An Award!!


Thank you to Pretty Rambles for the Award!

I was honored and surprised for the mention.