By Jane Malkoff MSN RN NP
This question is difficult for me. The answer is simple and deeply complex. Not knowing how to express the answer can cause a fumbling around for words sounding like a bad marketing pitch. Expressing my love and commitment to what I do can come across as sappy and disingenuous. Stating my credentials and years of experience can somehow seem to over medicalize the work while tooting my own horn and therefore cause it to feel a bit disrespectful to the wholeness of those I serve.
I want to answer the question but I want to answer it in a way that honors the work because honoring the work will honor the people I work with and for. Perhaps if I answered the question literally about “exactly” what I do a more suitable answer would result.
Exactly what I have been doing over the past 24 hours includes but is not limited to;
- Visiting with an older adult in their home to conduct a thorough, comprehensive, professional assessment and to create a personalized plan of care and trajectory
- Crying with the wife of a dementia patient and supporting her through the loss of the man she once knew
- Attending a guardianship hearing for an elder who was being exploited
- Advocating for four clients who were receiving sub-standard facility care with enormous turnover rates, smarty pants staff, no quality leadership, and no clue what they are doing wrong, and no desire to listen to any one who may know a bit more about it
- Attending a board meeting for an organization supporting seniors
- Educating a few doctors about a medication people without gall bladders should not be taking
- Assisting a client on the phone to a solution for her loved one as she dodged family bullets for all she is not doing well in their eyes
- Holding two administrative meetings at my office as we strive to go from good to great
- Putting material together for a presentation about how to navigate the health care system
- Attending planning meeting at elder law firm for a long-term client who is newly diagnosed with dementia
- Taking phone calls from professional caregivers in client homes
- Thanking my lucky stars for the opportunity I have to serve in the above ways
Warren Buffett would tell investors to stay away from me because my business model is not easy to understand. A business owner is supposed to be able to state briefly and simply what it is they do. I guess it is a good thing I am not looking for investors.
I plan from now on to honor the work I do by relaxing about the, “What is it you do, exactly?” question and simply, briefly, answer the question, exactly.