Her
facility dining room does IMHO an excellent job. However it takes time beginning
at 5 PM to transport residents down from their rooms until the actual food arrives
until 5:30 PM or a bit later. Then of course everyone needs to be fed which
unquestionably takes longer than just a bunch of people chowing down. It’s
about finding a balance between safety and nutrition.
It’s
also can get a bit boring, IMHO. I understand it has to be ‘mellow’ because
distractions impair those with feeding and swallowing challenges including
Patti’s MS dysphagia.
When
visiting I am the wild card. I can stay and help her with dinner in the dining
room, which as her advocate I frequently do to inspect how and what they feed
Patti, or I show off my old restaurant ‘five finger’ tray caring skills and
bring Patti’s dinner to her room.
‘Room
service’ as we jokingly call it is a special treat for Patti. First it’s
immediate and all about her, unlike the residential dining room. Whether I just
use the care facility meal (which actually are quite good – better than I eat
most nights) or pick her up commercial carry out. She is one happy camper
having dinner with the Simpsons.
Best of
all for Patti she gets to go right to bed like having her own waiter and
personal attendant. No waiting for aides with a hoyer lift.
I help
her brush her teeth prepare her for bed and using the 'one-person transfer technique, the hug' I move her from her wheelchair to bed.
A happy
Patti is already in bed, lights off and sleep machine playing softly under her
pillow approximately 30 – 45 minutes before aides with a hoyer lift could
accomplish the same task.
Saying
good night to Patti I sometimes am reminded of a day she gave a tour of her
care facility to some visiting friends from our old neighborhood, “It’s like
being rich and having MS just like Annette Funicello”
Patrick Leer
Health Activist:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/
My Lung Cancer Odyssey @ http://lung-cancer-survivor.blogspot.com/
care facility multiple sclerosis caregiving
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