Gammy leg

Following up on the introduction, I think it's time to start writing about my experiences that emanate from my daily visits.

It was quite a crowded street despite it not being half term. Had to park quite a distance away. As I walked towards the door, the dry and arid vegetation in the front garden gave away its neglected character. The red door had definitely seen better times - probably a couple of decades ago. I rang the bell and couldn't hear an audible tone. I knocked on it twice. Fairly hard so as to account for any impairment in hearing. It was a good 4-5 minutes before the customer answered the door. This is quite normal. Waiting outside the front door looking like a smartly dressed uninvited cold caller isn't a comfortable experience for the brief duration of it. You do get some weird stares at times. The idea is not to get too bored though while waiting. Looking at the passers by or the garden or the concrete patches can be a joy in itself.

She was nearing 74, and she could have passed for someone nearing 80. "Sorry, love, I have a gammy leg and can't walk fast." I couldn't get myself to look at her leg, but a sense of morbid curiosity got the better of me. It was off-putting to say the least. Horrendous even. I didn't have a choice than to follow her back into the living room. Just as I was about to contemplate a career change, she said, "Do you mind helping me put on my other shoe please?" I was stunned, but masked it with a smile. Customer Services, eh? To make matters worse, I was to assist her to put on the shoe on her gammy leg. Yuck...surely, I don't get paid for being a carer as well. As I knelt to assist her, the pungent odour from her leg was just overwhelming and it nearly made me sick. I held my breath, as I frantically tried to finish the task.

"Thank you, dear," she says in a very polite manner. You can't help but feel pity for her plight. All alone by herself and with a gammy leg to nurse. Suddenly, my plight seems insignificant in comparison. "Do you want a cup of tea?" she asks. I respond in the negative as per our instructions. "Are you sure?" she asks. I respond in the positive and thank her for her offer. I'm doing well as per our training and instructions.

20 minutes later, we're still on the first page of the monstrous form. The thought of completing the remainder of 5 visits for the day bothers me a great deal. I can't rush them though. They hate being rushed. Patience is a requirement. Lots of it. 40 minutes later, I'm all done. Throat is parched and I stop myself from asking for a drink. As I leave, she says, "It's been lovely talking with you. I hardly get to see anyone these days. I'm glad I met you." Bless her.

I work for the Department of Works and Pensions. My job entails visiting Pensioners in their homes and old age homes to assess their benefits' entitlements. It's a job I greatly love for it gives me pleasure in helping those who may find it difficult to relate to the convoluted documentation pertaining to benefits and assisting them to take advantage of the many benefits on offer. I advise them on Pensions and other benefits that they can avail of, such as claiming for council tax rebate, housing benefit, mortgage assistance, carer's allowance, et cetera.

This close interaction with senior citizens gives me a unique insight their lives, mannerisms, outlook and behaviours. It's a challenge at times to get through to those who may be suffering from dementia, depression, and other illnesses. Life as a senior citizen and during the last lap of your life isn't filled with joy all the time. There are very touching stories behind each and every one. Everyone has a story to tell and share.

Loneliness can be a killer for the senior folk. Often neglected, they long for some company. My presence triggers the desire to share even personal stuff. Some are reticent, while some are very open. Some are cruelly ignored and neglected by the family; some are loved by their families; some are used as tools to shore up their bank balances and some can't wait for their death. All in all, it's a fulfilling experience at the end of the day to serve these customers.

This blog is an attempt to share their stories and experiences with you. They too deserve an audience. In the coming few days, I will detail some of the visits.