“loneliness, helplessness and boredom are the three plagues of long-term care” Eden Alternative
“Don seemed to me to be
going downhill, and a couple of the staff also suggested that he was
deteriorating. …Then the head nurse came up with a different theory and a
different solution … Don’s got cabin fever, that’s all. … Here’s the thing. … It only took a day or two, and Don was back to
himself again.” Multiple Sclerosis Carer: Stir Crazy
Recently I found myself in a similar situation with Patti and
dinner. She was ‘reportedly’ finishing less of her meals and just wanted to go
to bed. I began moving up my arrival time to be there to help with dinner.
One such meal stands out. Arriving I saw Patti had finished her entre
and overheard her yucking the aide’s offer of her fruit cup or potato soup and
that she ‘just wanted to go to bed’.
Noticing the fruit cup was diced pears and peaches, two of Patti’s
favorites – I rephrased the question ‘would you like some cut up pears and
peaches’ with a totally different response. Of course, how could the aide know
Patti’s favorites?
Soup is a function of temperature more than taste to Patti. Hot is
not appealing. Hey we’re talking about cream of potato soup here. The cooler it
gets, the more pretentious it becomes. Rolling out my best bad French accent, Patti
enjoyed her ‘vichyssoise’ assisted by zee crazy french waiter.
Instead of another unfinished meal, there was not a crumb left nor did Patti 'just want to go to bed'.
“… increased family involvement is positive and leads to quality of
life and quality of care for residents…” National Institutes of Health Family Involvement in Residential Long-Term Care
If the testimonials of two Multiple Sclerosis spouse caregivers, a long term care
non-profit, and NIH is not enough - then consider that even circling sharks pause
to stress the importance of family involvement. Boston nursing home abuse
attorney Bernard J. Hamill, “ensuring safe care is continued family
involvement. There is really no substitute for this.”
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
videos: www.youtube.com/daddyleer
increased family involvement is positive and leads to quality of life and quality of care for residents…
ReplyDeleteWell, no one has to tell you that. You are wonderful, Patrick, truly. ~Mary
Hi, Patrick,
ReplyDeleteWe learned the same thing with my mother. She needs to be fed pureed food now, and often the CNAs just leave her if she gets sleepy or non-compliant. When I feed her, I carry on a conversation, and try to make the meal pleasant. This is one issue I need to address at our care conference. I'm looking for a way to give you my email. Thanks for your help.
Peace,
Muff
Muff, just click on my Blogger 'profile' ... then click email.
DeleteYou are such a sweetheart. What a difference those kind of things make...
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more husbands like you visiting their loved ones in the nursing home. You're wonderful and you asked Patti the right question. CNA's and staff in general need so much more education on approaching residents during meals and care.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post.
Doris
Thank you to tell us so much useful information. So nice sharing. I’m glad to read it.
ReplyDelete