Angry Arthur

Arthur is not his real name, but that's what I'll call him. He came here in the spring of 2015. The other nursing home where he lived apparently was having trouble with him.

Arthur moved into a semi private room a couple of doors up on the other side of mine. He would not let the aides shower him because he wanted to be independent did not want to be observed. He's a former military man and quite regimented. Back then, he was able to walk pretty well, but slowly.

Arthur would not let the aides shave him. He wanted to do it himself. The aides started getting Arthur up at 6 AM. That way, he could wash up and shave himself, which took a chunk of time, and make it to 8 AM breakfast.

Arthur did bond with Buford,  another older resident. I don't know that they talked all that much, but Arthur felt comfortable being with another man close to his age. Arthur also watched out for a young mentally challenged man who still sits at his table.

After a few weeks, the aides got used to Arthur. But, once in a while he would show his wrath. Arthur tended to defend residents who were asking for things loudly. He did this particularly when he felt the staff was not responding quickly enough. Arthur also stepped in and pointed out what other residents needed. Sometimes a verbal sparring match would ensue afterwards.

But, most the time Arthur went to meals, and back to his room. He shut the door and I have no idea what he did to pass the time.

For quite a while his granddaughter came and visited. She seemed to be his bright spot. Over time, he got more contentious with her. She was his only family contact.

Arthur was in a semi private room until Buford passed away. A few weeks later he was offered Buford's private room, and he moved in. Management probably breathed a sigh of relief because his granddaughter had come in several times to clean up the bathroom in his semi private room.

As 2017 has progressed, Arthur is more cantankerous. He doesn't want the ceiling fans on in the dining room. For quite a while, Arthur as though everyone he runs this facility and can decide what happens. He wanted the fans off and turned them off. He was then told he cannot make that decision. When things do not go his way he gets affronted and sometimes throws things or hits people.

The last couple of months Arthur has been in his room most of the time. The aides say because of his ire, his granddaughter no longer visits. Some days he does not come to breakfast. Today, I thought he would also miss lunch. Then, he entered the dining room, and smacked his tray from the hands of the aide who was delivering it. Despite that, he just sat down and dietary served him another.

Arthur's walk is much stiffer and I wonder if he's in pain. It seems like everything and everyone is getting to him. Though it's painful to watch, I understand how he feels.

I wonder if Arthur's depression is talking, and acting out, and not him.