Reviews
Clarion Review
” The Wrinkly Ranch is the shocking memoir of a long-term care worker whose stories are used to forward suggestions for system improvement.
Tristan Squire-Smith’s unvarnished memoir The Wrinkly Ranch gathers his unpredictable daily experiences with working in long-term care facilities.
Sans embellishments, this book works to provide clear images of its scenarios, all of which take place in long-term care facilities. Squire-Smith recalls that residents’ family members are prone to calling the facilities’ staff members with unrealistic instructions, such as to serve wine to their loved ones at a specific time, or to fluff a person’s pillows. Statements from such people are often repeated verbatim.
But the book also covers logistics, like the roles of different departments within a facility, and how each staff member contributes ti a facility’s smooth running. The daily activities that staff members carry out, and the common interactions that they have with residents, are detailed in involving terms. Squire-Smith writes with care about some health issues that elderly people face, recommending practical ways for family members to help their relatives. Significant issues regarding long-term care that need to be addressed are also named.
Each chapter is topical and brief. There are discussions of how long-term care facilities prevent and control outbreaks when they arise; about how body parts change as people age; and expressing the belief that ever resident matters. In the process, Squire-Smith also captures the close bonds that develop between residents and staff members, recalling how one resident expressed trust in him, discussing their absent family members just moments before passing on.
Beyond being informative, the book is also amusing. There are stories about residents exchanging dentures by mistake and smiling with ill-fitting teeth; other joke about death, making lists of what they wont miss when they’re gone. Some residents give the staff members funny nicknames, too, or call each other “loony” in the midst of dementia. Such moments are a source of balance, particularly paired with the grave discussions that occur elsewhere (for example, Squire-Smith remembers instances of verbal and physical assault, and of xenophobia, directed against staff members).
From his experiences, Squire-Smith mines tips for those with loved ones in long-term care, or who may end up in long-term care facilities themselves. The book advises being prepared for all eventualities, as well as writing and updating one’s will. Family members are urged to make funeral arrangements beforehand, and to be proactive in assessing their elderly family member’s well-being. A sense that is important to learn the criteria of admission in advance is imparted.
The Wrinkly Ranch is the shocking memoir of a long-term care worker whose stories are used to forward suggestions for system improvement. “
Verified
Kelly2022-10-10The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Hilarious! Not only was this book hilarious it was also very helpful and informative for someone with parents about to make the transition to long term care .Verifiedjeff Bankes2022-09-29The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Well worth the read This is such a well written book. From the funny anecdotes to the seriousness of the situations. My only wish was that I had read this before learning firsthand what LTC entails (family member admittance). Giving the perspective of a nurse was very enlightening. If only everyone was like this.VerifiedHealth care provider2022-09-20The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Funny, accurate, informative. Simply put, a must read! Didn’t think I could learn anymore about LTC than I already knew, but all the buzz around this book had me curious! For those who work/worked in LTC, it’ll take you down memory lane laughing the whole way. For anyone new to the industry (family or employee) it’s an eye opening and informative read that will prepare you for your journey.10/10 recommend.VerifiedMelissa Weaver2022-09-16The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Highly Recommend!! Fantastic read! A nurse's perspective working in long-term care offers a diverse collection of entertaining and true stories, as well as a wealth of knowledge and insight. The format of the book (short chapters) and style of writing makes the read that much more enjoyable, as the author uses a conversational tone. I highly recommend this book to any health care worker, anyone looking to learn more about the daily occurrences in long-term care, or to anyone just looking have a good laugh or two....or more!VerifiedMrMatt2022-09-14The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: One of my best reads in years! Fun, entertaining, and well-written! This book touches upon a very interesting subject area! You will find yourself wanting to read more and more as the author (Tristan Squire-Smith) takes you through the authentic experience of long term care. His writing style is smart, witty, and informative. The book feels very real, especially if you've had any encounters with such facilities (employee, visitor, or resident). Although comedic, the book is sensitive to residents as well, which is great. I highly recommend The Wrinkly Ranch to anyone in the mood for a good read. 5 stars all the way.VerifiedMary Beth2022-09-10VerifiedLaura Oliver2022-08-09The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Excellent, Great Great. I just love this book it really shows the good, bad and the ugly.I can relate to a lot of the funny quotes.Excellent job I can’t wait for the next one congratulations TristanVerifiedBrandon2022-08-09The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: An insider's funny and honest look at Canadian long-term care This book offers an unvarnished, but human, account of Canadian long-term care. Touching on topics as wide ranging as facility waste management to the many complications of staffing, the book establishes that people are the beating heart of long term care facilities -- both the residents and those workers guiding residents through their twilight years. The tireless individuals working in long term care facilities are the ideal audience for this book, but, really, anyone with a loved one in a home can learn from this insider's assessment of the system.Be forewarned however, the book contains its share of curse words and stories about bodily functions. If you're easily offended, you may want to skip this one as Squire-Smith "ain't nobody's fluffer". For the rest of us, this book shines a quirky light on a piece of the health care system that we rarely think about.VerifiedChloe Bedard2022-08-08The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Beautifully written! I wish I had this book while I was doing my PSW course! It dives deep into every aspect of Long Term Care while providing a humorous touch.VerifiedCrissy Pastorius2022-08-08The Wrinkly Ranch: Unbelievably funny, shocking and poignant anecdotes of life and work in Long-Term Care: Witty tales of life in long term care Funny, honest and real life stories from a nurses perspective of life in long term care. Perfect read for anyone that works in healthcare or anyone sending a loved one to LTC. Learn about the ins and outs of what it takes to keep a nursing home running 24/7/365.25.
Kirkus Review
“A nurse offers a humorous perspective on the complicated world of long-term care.
Squire-Smith’s collection of short stories is intended to highlight the daily realities of living and working in long-term care facilities. “The more unbelievable the story,” the author writes of his outlandish anecdotes involving the older patients and residents he takes care of, “the more likely it is, in fact, based on lived experience and truth.” Individual chapters are less tales so much as general topics that Squire-Smith wants to address about life in a long-term care facility. He then punctuates the subjects with anecdotal asides and quotes from his memory or reconstructions of conversations he has often had with patients. Chapter topics range from misunderstandings among colleagues and how laundry and maintenance work in such a large facility to the harsh realities of how people’s bodies change as they get older and how employees try to cope with the difficult health issues they confront daily. The author often interjects “hints” or “notes” that make the chapters feel like a manual for anyone wanting to learn more about these facilities (prospective nurses or relatives of future residents). “NOTE: In terms of quality of life,” Squire-Smith writes before an argument for having dessert first, “the sense of taste usually sees the least amount of deterioration as we age.” The author’s humor will not please everyone, a fact that he is rather open about in his introduction. His writing is bombastic, filled with profanity, and often gravitates towards a kind of juvenile humor when discussing defecation and fornication among the residents. But he still shows a lot of heart and deep passion for his work (even when making a lost of how to get out of tasks). Squire-Smith also provides an admirably balanced and uplifting view on how the system needs fixing but is not irreparably broken. Above all, through every dirty joke, he returns to a message of dignity that may readers will appreciate: “Older adults are just that…adults.”
An unflinching, engaging, and universal, if sometimes crass, look at getting older.”