The pied piper of geriatrics

Returning to my apartment at 6:30pm (an hour and a half after I was supposed to be off of work), I heard a rattling noise coming from down the hall. I found Edna, one of our residents who has dementia, trying desperately to enter a locked storage closet.

"Edna, can I help you?"
"I'm trying to get in"
"What do you need?"
"I need...the things..."
"That's just a storage closet. Are you trying to go back to your room?"
"I don't think so."
"Would you like to go back to your room?"
"ok."

I took her down to her floor only to find Flo, another resident. Flo had her own troubles.

"I need help."
"What do you need help with?"
"I'm not sure."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know."
"Flo, wait right here. I'm going to take Edna home and I'll be back to help you."

Instead of waiting, Flo followed us. Flo, Edna, and I continued down the hall together where we met up with Mary. "We're following him," Edna informed her. Of course, Mary took this as an invitation and joined in the parade. With three ladies in tow, I found a nurse who was able to help Edna. "I found her on the third floor trying to get into a closet," I informed the nurse. "She doesn't live on the third floor," the nurse told me. "I know. She doesn't live in the closet either." With the nurse helping Edna, Mary decided the parade was over and I was able to focus on Flo.

"So Flo, what can I do for you?"
"I wish I knew. I need some help."
"What kind of help?"
"I'm not really sure. Can you help?"
"Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes. I'm feeling fine, but I really need help."
"Would you like to watch TV downstairs?"
"Yes. I think I would like that very much."

She grabbed my hand and together we walked to the TV room where there were already 5 people watching a sitcom.

"I think I'm going to like this."
"I'm glad, Flo. Enjoy yourself."

With that, I was finally able to go home.