For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 27, 2021

TEETH!

how were you even hired for this kind of job in the first place, Roxy?

Gunchbag…..

“Roxy, thank you so much for stopping by. Goodbye!”

You do not need him.

“The company that cares”

…about nobody but themselves. NEXT!

Oh, Roxy, you’re in the wrong business. Consider a career change, dear.

NEXT!

NEXT!

NOPE!

If that’s the case Roxy, then we don’t need you!

This comic strip does have a good time when it comes to showing the different people who show up looking for a job. Of course, the funniest of all was Elly herself when she claimed she was qualified for a job because she was a mother.

Nope can’t say it. Don’t want to get into trouble.

You won’t be getting my cash. Don’t let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya.

Vancouver is FAR from Toronto, but honestly… her parents seem to be doing fine. I’d only be concerned if it was just one of them living alone (or one of them was really ill).

NEXT!

You also don’t get very many jobs.

Next!!!

Is it just me or does Roxy resemble the deadbeat cousin that moved in and refused to leave?

So why are you there Roxy?

My reply would be “You don’t have this job!”

Roxy is probably short for Roxanne. One of the girls in my neighborhood was named Roxanne, but she went by Rocky. Turned into a darned fine small circuit race car driver.

Oh Gawd,NO!

ya, cares… not.

The horrour of leaving parents/loved ones that need help alone with the “help”. I went thru at least three agencies when my mom began to deteriourate past Dad’s ability to take care of her. Ended up doing most of the care myself. More work for sure but far less guilt and worry.

And if there are any valuables laying about don’t be surprised if they disappear.

Why do people like this even apply for a job ????

Who is employing whom?

Lynn’s Comments:

Caregivers are rarely like this one! I just couldn’t resist making up a crazy character when I had the chance.

Should say don’t care, show them the door

Roxy says what all the professionals say. Even John Patterson. “Need a new crown do you? I’ll make the appointment. Be sure and bring payment with you. It is expected at the time I do the work.”

next

It seems to me that if she works for an agency she would not be paid in cash. But I’ve never hired any kind of household help so I’m not sure. It seems fishy though.

Always a joy. I went through 3 caregivers in 6 months. The last one stole an undetermined amount of money and credit cards. I finally got Dad to move closer to me, take a sabbatical from works and cared for him myself.

Vancouver? Hell, you move there.

Cross Roxy off the list—-

“The Company That Cares?”

Have you watched yet, Netflix’s I CARE A LOT???

Scary stuff

I don’t think Roxy is going to get the job…

….aaaand I don’t think so. See ya. Wouldn’t want to be ya.

I hope that the door does not hit Roxy in the rear on the way out.

Call the company tell them no the first one.For my own mom this strip brings back memories, I was driving to my mom’s house by hwy 15 minute drive if traffic went smooth, 2x if not more a day, including 11 p.m. when her mind was confused, checked into home health care agencies not a flat rate too expensive, my mom’s health then was in doubt until found out she had cancer and dementia grew, had Dr. check into home health care/Hospice, and then with treatment of radiation cancer short term, turned home health to Hospice care, my decision to Hospice, move her to our house and I told them we have lot to move around also our hot water quit. While mom’s house sat waiting for her, she lived 3.5 months with cancer that grew. This is the short memory compared to what physically had to be done.

And goodbye, don’t the the door hit you in the arse.

We stayed in Vancouver a while back. I can understand how people would like it there. Not me, but people.

NEXT!

In the immortal words of George Jefferson, “don’t let the doorknob hit ya where the good Lord split ya!”

Don’t think so……

Fired on the first I don’t

It was nice meeting you Roxy! Have a nice day!!!

Next!!!

Next!

Out the door. Now!

and you don’t work here

Worthless POS.

Seeing as you don’t DO anything, I doubt you’ll get paid in anything!

This invokes…. and was likely inspired by… an episode of the Honeymooners when Ralph hires a maid [Thelma] roughly the size of an NFL linebacker. Of the many hilarious lines from that show was this one in response to a request for two lumps of sugar: “Ring that bell one more time and I’ll give you two lumps”.

Next!

“he” is probably a woman.

Get out.

This strip strikes close to home. The answer in our west coast town is Community Services. This area has a very senior demographic and they are supported by volunteers and paid individuals that are coordinated by an amazing, professional community organization funded by the Provincial and local Government and a number of charities. Meals (delivered), home services, tax services, medical transportation, social events are all supplied and well managed. Have a look at their web page: https://beaconcs.ca/There are many struggles as we age, but there is a lot of support to assist and make sure that this part of life is not the “worse” part of “For better or for worse”. This arc of the strip is very poignant and relevant humour mixed with reality.

What a drag it is getting old.

Things are different today, I hear only Elly say.

Elly needs something today to calm her down.

And although she not really ill, there’s a little yellow pill.

She goes running for the shelter of an Elly’s little helper.

Kids are different today, I hear only Elly say.

Cooking fresh food for John is such a drag.

So she buys an instant cake and burns her pot holder.

And goes running for the shelter of an Elly’s little helper.

Doctor, please, some more of these.

Not for three weeks whole?

Damn Canadian price controls!

What a drag it is getting old.I just was not made for these times, I hear only Elly whine.

The pursuit of happiness, not in our Charter.

And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose.

No more running for the shelter of an Elly’s little helper.

They just helped her on her way, through her busy dying day.

With that attitude, you don’t work period.

Well, she has to be wrong. She says “an.” (Is that a Canada thing, to say ‘an’ instead of ‘and’, and ‘an’ is shorthand for “I’m stupider than you?” Ho hum.)

Forget the cake and coffee ….show this gal the door!

Overreacting to the needs of senior loved ones can sometimes be counter productive. For one thing, it’s often perceived by them as a threat to their independence and as overreach. I’ve been through that nearly a half dozen times. And diving in head first to be the nice, thoughtful, considerate younger relative just looking out for them has been known to take a tremendous toll on that younger relative’s physical and mental well being.

By Roxy.

And you don’t get the job

Next!

Don’t call us… and we won’t call you.

Interview over! Out, OUT, OUTTTT!!!

That was a short interview.

“Cares?”

That would be a hard pass…

I think hiring Roxy would count as elder abuse. Next candidate!

Let me help you out. The door is behind you. Use it.

That would be the shortest interview in history.