Many people have asked me what population I want to work with after I graduate, and my immediate response is peds, followed by, anything BUT geriatrics. Being how geriatrics is one of the biggest job markets out for the OT profession, I doubt that I will make it through my life without having some job in a geriatric setting. I have started to see this "population" in a different perspective through my FW 1 experience, and classes. I was surprised at the fact of how much I enjoyed meeting these people and hearing the stories they tell, even if I could only listen for a few minutes. I found myself feeling guilty that I have been "overlooking" this population as though it wasn't important or they didn't exist. It is easy to see an elderly person as just who they are on the outside; yet it so important that we not forget who they are on the inside, and they were once that young 20 year old that had nothing but time. Just because they are "old" doesn't mean that all those years of life and experiences has disappeared! They are just as much alive as I am! No wonder depression is so common in elderly; you have lived all these years, just to be considered another "old person in a rest home". No matter what population my career leads me to serve, I will be evermore grateful for the experience I have and will have in this area of practice.
I know there are many quotes out about aging, and I ran across one the other day that I love:
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" - Satchel Paige
(I thought that was a good question to think about, no matter your age!)
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