9 Thoughts You Have While Being A Laundry Aide
Start writing a post
Student Life

9 Thoughts You Have While Being A Laundry Aide

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought these things.

2109
9 Thoughts You Have While Being A Laundry Aide

A week ago, I started working as a laundry aide in my hometown's nursing home. It is great for two reasons: 1. because many of the people who work there now knew my mom, who also worked there, so I have people on my side, and 2. because I know people who are currently living there, so I can visit and minister to them whenever I have the time to do so. I have had a lot of thoughts during my first week of work that I think others have probably had as well.

Before anyone says anything, I will preface with this: I have not violated any HIPAA laws in this article, nor have I bashed any individual resident or residents in any nursing home anywhere. I have not personally bashed any staff member of these living facilities either. They work VERY hard at what they do, and they have a very different job from me. These are just my personal thoughts about the job I have now.

1. "That is a LOT of clothing!"

I work in the laundry room, where we sort, wash, dry, hang, and fold all of the linens and personal clothing for the residents and nurses aides. I get a lot of clothing every time I make rounds around the nursing home. Some of these residents have a LOT of clothing.

2. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is."

As a safety rule, laundry aides are NOT supposed to be handling any bodily fluids or solids. This includes feces, blood, and vomit. Sometimes we get vomit and feces on the clothing, even though the CNAs are supposed to wash all of it off before putting it in the dirty linens basket. It's definitely not fun.

3. "Bleach fixes everything."

�

I am not even kidding with this one. On the chance that we get an article of white clothing or a piece of linens that has a stain, feces patch, or any other stain-making substance, we just drown it in diluted bleach. Bleach definitely fixes everything.

4. "When can I take a break?"

As law, we get two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch break. No matter what shift I'm working, whether it is first or second, as soon as I step foot into the laundry room, I'm looking forward to the break. It isn't because I don't like the job, it's because my feet start hurting just thinking about work!

5. "Oh my gosh, my feet are killing me."

I've never worked a day in my life, so when I'm 19 years old and my feet are hurting worse than I did when I bowled for Morehead State, you better believe I mean it.

6. "Where is the bathroom?"

You wouldn't believe how hard a bathroom is to find in the nursing home, even though they're EVERYWHERE.

7. "These residents are so sweet."

With the exception of the residents who have become mean with age (due to no fault of their own, it happens with degenerative diseases), most of the residents I've encountered are very sweet. They make sure to say hi, and I've had quite a few thank me for bringing them their clothing.

8. "Where are all of the ____?"

I promise that if it's been a couple of hours since I've been around, I'm more than likely NOT gonna have that random piece of linens that you're wanting. Ask your coworkers to locate the linens cart in your wing, but I will bring them around when I have a sufficient amount of them!

9. "I really love this job."

I'm not a CNA or an RNA or any kind of nurse. I'm not planning on being a nurse. I work in the laundry room washing clothes for seven-eight hours a day, four days a week. I don't face nearly the amount of hardships and difficulties that my coworkers face. I love the job that I have, though. I have made friends on this job, I have experienced the joy that a resident feels when I've found a missing piece of clothing. I've had easy days, and I've had hard nights.

I wouldn't trade any of it for the world, no matter how tough things get.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58320
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37572
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959194
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193326
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments