You’re the Boss, Applesauce….Andy Warhol

My mother-in-law, Marie, thought I was as cool as Bruce Springsteen.  A few years ago, in one of her long stints at the hospital, the social worker arrived in her room and quickly began her assessment of the situation.

“Marie,” she demanded, “do you know what day it is?”

“No,”  Marie truthfully answered. Marie was in her 90’s and loving her assisted living facility. Every day came and went like it was Tuesday or Saturday, or who-the-hell-cares day.

“Well,” the highly trained professional asked, “do you know who the President is?”

Okey dokey….now I jumped in.

“Is this really necessary?” I wondered while looking the social worker straight in the eye.

“Well, I need to know if she’s oriented to space and time.”

You’re not oriented to space or time if you’re thinking an elderly woman from a facility is keeping up with current events.

“Ask her questions she knows the answer to, if you’re trying to find out if she’s in any way conscious.”

“Well, okay.” She turned to my mother-in-law and pointed to some of the other people who were visiting in the room.

“Who is that, Marie?”

“That’s my son, Ted.” Correct.

“And who is that lady next to him?”

“That’s his wife, Judi.” Also correct.

Then pointing to me: “And who is that lady there?”

“Her?” And Marie pointed to me as well.

“Yes, that lady?”

“Oh, that’s the Boss!”

Boom!

I have become legendary. Last week in my brother-in-law’s room the social worker came in to ask some questions.

“What day is it?”

“Truthfully,” he said, “I don’t give a shit.” Score 1 for the ill and infirm.

“And who is this with you today?” she asked him, pointing in my direction.

“Oh her? Yeah, watch out for her, that’s the Boss!”

“You just have to Laugh….”

© 2014 Cathy Sikorski

0 thoughts on “You’re the Boss, Applesauce….Andy Warhol

  1. Great point in asking question that a 90 year old woman might know the answers to. There are a lot of people in this country that don’t know current events, some, I bet, don’t know the president or even who their governor is.

    1. I know. I’ve been having this conversation with health care workers for 25 years. Does this training of questions never get an update??
      And BTW…you’re so right about the general public. Thanks for reading!

  2. yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are the Boss!!!!!! smiles!!!!! i must say, what kind of question this nurse was asking. ask some young kids today, they would not know who the president is, let alone the name of their school….

    1. Oh handsome Jerome….I was missing your comments. I know, where do these medical people get these questions??? And you’re right, they should go into a school and see who knows the answers! Smiles right back at you 🙂

  3. There you go – positive, affirmation and confirmation, now you definitely know who the boss is!!! Not that you were ever questioning that fact- lol. Too funny and no theu don’t care what day it is , it’s simply not that important and not a big deal. Now , knowing who the president is …. That is really really important !!’

  4. Cathy we always knew that as kids , why wouldn’t they. Train these facilities right!
    Maybe u should run for President. … could work. We know who the boss is, excuse me Bruce Springsteen 🙂