I was recently asked to perform an assessment on a man that resides in a local nursing home. At the time of the assessment, the staff reported that Mr. S was “confined to a wheelchair, unable to communicate, rarely opens his eyes, does not respond to stimuli and has no family in the area”.
The family accepted our recommendation for one-on-one care, and so for two hours a week, our caregiver read to Mr. S, took him outside, and spoke to him. We also accompanied him to activities and encouraged him. The caregiver also utilizes non-verbal communication skills such as touch, a bright smile and a big hug when she leaves.
Mr. S is now opening his eyes, has begun to express himself verbally and has even begun participating in some activities. His quality of life has greatly improved. The staff reports that the changes they have seen in this patient are remarkable.
Sometimes it is not the quantity of time that care is provided, but instead the quality of the time spent that makes all the difference in the world.
ElderCare At Home offers a wide variety of programs to meet the individuals needs of each and every one of our patients.
