Working at a nursing home for work experience?

Question

I'm 14 years old.

I wasn't expecting this at all. When the teacher told me I'd be working at a nursing home (for my first ever work experience), I was so shocked and to be honest, devastated.

The nursing home is at a bad place

Old people... scare me. It sounds horrible, but it's true.

I haven't even called the employer to ask about everything. I'm so nervous!

I'd never thought about this until my friend mentioned it.

Would they hate me, because I'm Asian?

I don't want to bathe them, but that's not a choice. I may have no.

I make people feel awkward. They'll make me feel awkward. I don't know what to do...

I'm not very good with people. I can be very kind and caring, but that's only if they're kind back.

What should I bring? Books? How do I interact with the old people?

What to talk about?

So many things I don't know. This is not my thing, but I'll try my best. I've just never been so anxious.

Is it as bad as every says, working in a nursing home?

Answer 1

NO, it's not bad at all. I did work experience at a nursing home too when I was 15. It was a wonderful experience. Old people are just like you except in an old body and with lots more life experience. They love to tell you stories(sometimes boring, sometimes interesting but it makes them happy) and will ask you questions about school, family etc. I went on to become a nurse working with old people all the time so i must have liked it. Please don't be anxious, you will get to the end of your time there and go "what the h**l was I so worried about?" because in reality these people are much easier to deal than some of the younger idiots you probably see all the time. Good luck!

Answer 2

just do it and get it over and done with, cuz you will never see any of them again and you will get money for it. god

Answer 3

How this goes is really up to you.  Sounds like you are well on your way to building this thing up in your head to a really horrible experience.  Or you can look at it as a way to help other people.  First, get some information about what this experience will entail.  Chances are you will feel better about it after that.  You should be given some orientation & guidance about how to interact with the folks.  If it is a volunteer experience mandated by your school, it is unlikely that you will have to bathe anyone.  You will probably do things like push them out to the day room for activities, play bingo with them, read to them, maybe feed them.  Most older people in nursing homes are lonely and are incredibly grateful for any kindness that is shown them.  Music almost always appeals to people of all ages.  See if you can get some music (you can usually borrow CDs from the library) of music that was from their era & bring it with you.  Stuff like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters - OK, it won't be music that you are gonna love, but they will.