Tales from the ARVInn, 2

Chapter 14
ARVInn: Residents--Rick DuMont, Helper

Chapter Description: Operating a facility like the ARVInn takes many people, in many roles. Some do the upkeep, some get to help people directly. Rick is one of the helpers.

            Rick DuMont, Helper      

Rick DuMont is a personal care assistant working with the smallest residents. He himself is age 10. He was born in 2010 and is the father of six children, with a host of descendants.  He came to ARVInn originally to deal with his grief over losing his wife of fifty-eight years in 2091.  After having been a nurse and then caring for his wife for several years, he wanted to be occupied and feel useful, so he took a position in resident services.  The job does both!  He spends at least 40 hours a week helping other residents, usually those at the younger end of the spectrum, with various physical and, sometimes, emotional needs.  The flexible scheduling, which sees him work in multiple areas each week, keeps things from ever getting boring. Rick’s own interests keep him busy for lots of other hours.

Rick’s duties include helping with personal needs at the care station in a suite: helping some with diapers, clothing, meals and other needs.  The common cold is uncomfortable, no matter one’s age.  He sometimes ends up being a shoulder to cry on…literally…when they become frustrated with their situation.  Part of his job is to alert counsellors when this happens.  He usually is there two or three days.  Other days depend on staff vacation schedules and staffing levels.

He also accompanies smaller residents who wish to do things on their own, per a facility policy that says they should be accompanied in situations where they would be otherwise isolated, such as bike rides or running on trails.  He also has on call hours to help residents who require assistance with personal needs on their job sites.  These are both scheduled at the request of the resident and vary from week to week.  Some do regular routines while others use activities like this to have a change of pace.

Partly because of curiosity and partly because of its usefulness in accompanying exercising residents, he took up the skateboard and has become pretty good at it.  He is an active member of the Skateboard Club.

Read the remainder here:  Tales from the ARVInn--Rick DuMont, Helper (mediafire.com)