EAVESDROPPING
Eavesdropping is one of the many skills that I have developed being a Caregiver.
I was never a person who eavesdropped. It just wasn’t my thing. I believe that when you eavesdrop, you risk the possibility of hearing something that you didn’t want to hear. At the very least, you hear something that the speakers did not want you to hear. That is the first reason that I wasn’t into eavesdropping. The second reason is that the one time I tried it, I got caught.
Yes, I got caught eavesdropping. More specifically, I was listening to my Boyfriend’s voicemail messages. I knew his code and one day, I was curious, so I just decided to listen. But I got caught. I found his voicemail messages extremely amusing and was literally laughing out loud! He came into the room and said, “Are you listening to my voicemail messages?”
“Why would I do that?” I answered giggling. At that moment, I realized that I could never be a Private Investigator as I was not very good at eavesdropping
Now that I am a Caregiver, I have also become an Eavesdropper. Eavesdropping as a Caregiver is just one of the many skills that is a necessity of the job.
While eavesdropping as a Caregiver, I not only find out valuable information, but I am also able to prevent major telephone mishaps.
As a practice, I do not normally answer my Mom’s landline. The phone calls are never for me and more than often are simply SCAM calls. The number of scams that are directed toward the Elderly are amazing. I’m not sure how these scam artists obtain their call lists, but I am suspicious of AARP and Consumer Cellular. As a former Marketing Maven, I know the value of such targeted lists and nothing say’s “I am older, potentially lonely in need of conversation, and you may be able to scam me” like the combination of being on an AARP, Consumer Cellular and Medicare list!
And so, when I overhear my Mom speaking to the Fireman, Policeman or Veteran who all miraculously have the exact same voice, I interrupt and politely tell them, “I’m so glad that you called as we are now accepting donations! Please press pound and enter your credit card information…” Thier response is to hang up immediately!
Often times while eavesdropping I hear my Mother making appointments. The thing about ALL appointments is that in some manner they involve my participation. And I really don’t like having my time arranged for me. It’s enough that I am a Caregiver, at your beck and call but what if—just what if, I had plans? LOL. Either way, eavesdropping keeps me aware of upcoming events and activities which require my participation.
Sometimes, while eavesdropping, I hear my Mom talking about me. One day I was standing outside of her slightly cracked door to hear her whispering. Or at least what she thought may have been whispering because I could clearly hear her speaking in a muffled voice. I knew that she was talking to my Brother because his name came up on the television Caller ID. She said, “I think your Sister is going crazy! She’s in the living room dancing and singing at the top of her lungs.”
I’m sure that my Brother said something encouraging about the fact that I was singing and dancing when I heard her say, “Yes, but she doesn’t sing well!”
You see, that’s what I mean about hearing things you really don’t want to hear while eavesdropping. It’s ok though because this is not the first time that my failed singing ability has been the topic of her conversation. But how dare she!
Singing and Dancing is this Caregiver’s manner of releasing the frustrations of being a Caregiver. A topic for another story.
Sometimes while eavesdropping, I overhear my Mom’s laughter. Despite all else, hearing her laugh makes me feel good–about being her Caregiver and about eavesdropping!
As for the scams, whenever I overhear my Mother giving out information, such as name, address, SS#, I quickly interrupt! And then I patiently explain to her that anyone with whom she does business, already has that information. There is never a need for them to call and verify.
If I wasn’t so busy being a Caregiver, I would take the time to form a committee/organization to stop such calls. The “Do Not Call” list is not very effective as many Government tools are equally as ineffective. Definitely another story!
As a Caregiver, if you find yourself standing outside of a slightly cracked door with your head inclined in order for your ear to be as close as possible (“The better to hear you with my dear.”), do not be alarmed. Eavesdropping comes with the job.
Now if you would please excuse me, I must go l listen
“Rockwell “Somebody’s Watching Me!
Eavesdropping is the act of secretly or stealthily listening to the private conversation or communications of others without their consent in order to gather information.
THE CAREGIVER’S PLANS -A Caregiver’s Conscience (caregiversconscience.com
Well we know what happens when you listen via the laundry chute.