Berthy Arlo: “Wake up at night” – Stories from Care

Berth Arlo was a nursing assistant who worked nights in a nursing home for 19 years. During this time she met many people – and wrote short transcripts from these encounters. In total, almost 30 miniatures were collected in her book “Nachts Awake”, which tells about the nightlife in the home of the elderly. Berthe Arlo has since retired, and although the events were at least 20 years ago, these stories are still relevant. Not much has changed.

From tragedy, pain and love afterwards

Berthy Arlow is not about writing a plea for care or a fiery letter to draw attention to an unsustainable situation. She is interested in the stories big and small that happen to the people in this house: the tragedy of inexplicable pain, maybe physical pain, maybe even mental pain. The blessing of late love occurs here, the joy that kindness brings and the comedy that comes from people’s celebration of their cherished traditions; Or leave them behind completely. She tells all of this in a short, direct manner that can seem rushed at times, but it reflects very accurately how caregivers talk about the people entrusted to them.

Reverend Hartmann has been living here in the house for several years. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday and there was an article about him in the local newspaper with, of course, a photo. Fit as a violin, smiling at you, old man. On this occasion, his former parishioner was invited to attend Mass, followed by a champagne ceremony in his honor. In the congratulatory program everyone knew. Yet he addressed everyone, absolutely everyone, under the wrong name.”

Disarmingly straightforward stories

Two traits that are particularly useful in grooming: patience and a sense of humor. Some episodes impressively show how much patience is required: when a resident keeps calling all night that he can no longer stand everything, all the pain and everything, then the emergency doctor who is called hastily diagnoses flatulence, for example, or if Enterovirus infects the station population. But there are also quiet nights, the merry Reverend Hartmann or the cheerfully cursing Mrs. Schneider, who sometimes weaves prayer into her stones.

She tells Berthe Arlow from the perspective of the co-observer and tells the immediate present: she knows these people as they are now. They don’t particularly care about their history, or their past, it’s just about how they spend the night in the moment. This gives the stories an immediate, indirect character: the heroes at “Nachts awake” are unique in the best sense of the word. One would think she is in a spa hotel and ring the bell for the staff as if they were servants; The other is overjoyed by every night visitor and is very happy that she no longer has to worry about anything once in her life; Often someone else is afraid at night in such a way that only two people enter his room.

The aspect of fulfilling the nursing profession

He’s often heard that this job is stressful and draining, and this book also shows: Nurses’ fear of doing something wrong, of killing someone; and the anger and guilt that arise when residents become aggressive. But the book also shows why this job is so satisfying to so many people: it’s also an honor to get so close to people and get to know them so well. Berthe Arlo can clearly show this beautiful side of this profession: these people are sometimes lovable, sometimes stressful, and always fun in a subtle and unobtrusive way.

(Mrs. Schneider) Only the door of her room opens a crack. Wrapped in her myriad clothes, she stands behind her and quietly flows into the quiet hall: “Ko ko-lo-orum, coco-li-e-chen. On that day, Bea was really amazed. She had put her to bed, wished her a good night, and then pulled the duvet over her chest instead of her neck. “You are very nice. But now cover me properly. Otherwise, I will draw your hammer legs.” You can’t help her. You just have to love them.

Only indirect criticism of circumstances

The house shown here is a closed world. “The Only Last Beach” is what Arlo calls it. „Wie Strandgut“, schreibt sie, „landen die Menschen hier an.” Kritik an den Zuständen übt sie nur indirekt: lieber zieht sie ein klein wenig den Vorhang auf, damit auch ben hin hine er lech wer le wer weber ability. And what stands out is not the states, but the characters. If you are interested in people, you will love this book.