In the 54 years our family has been pioneering home healthcare in our community and state, we have had many patient and family experiences that exemplified true love, compassion, and commitment, touching not only the patients and their families, but also our dedicated caregivers. For the sixth year straight, Care Team has been recognized as a Provider of Choice Award by Activated Insights, representing the top 10% of the Best in Home Care. Today, I want to share with you a story of what truly defines the difference we can make in the lives of our patients and their families.
The story started when a long-time friend called to inquire about help with his mother. He shared that over the past year, her health deteriorated and she became totally dependent on her husband of 54 years. So, he and his wife invited their parents to live with them so they could help their father help his wife. That was six months ago. Now she is in the hospital recovering from a fall and broken hip.
Steve’s business-like questions were focused on how we can help get her back home and assist in her activities of daily living, while minimizing the stress for their father and the chance he gets hurt trying to assist with his wife’s needs. I offered assurance that this is one of the services we provide and excel at, and that we custom tailor our services to meet the specific needs of our patients. There are no set parameters other than the protocols of the healthcare industry and State regulations. I added that we send one of our clinical managers out to assess the home environment and the patient so that a plan of care can be developed specifically for the patient.
A week later, Steve informed me that his mother had been released from the hospital, but sent to a rehab facility, a big disappointment for all family members, but even more so for his mother and father. They were told she could be in the rehab for two or three weeks.
As you can imagine, all involved were disappointed when the two weeks rolled into a third week and his mother was not making the progress needed for release. She was getting more upset as each day unfolded with no clear picture of returning home, sleeping in her own bed, eating her normal diet and being able to snuggle with her beloved husband.
In consultation with our clinical manager and the discharge planner at the rehab facility, it was recognized that the biggest obstacle for gaining her release home was that she was not able to transition from the bed to a wheelchair unassisted. For the most part, she was a total lift. The husband cannot be asked to help. Our clinical manager suggested that the family can rent and utilize a Hoyer lift and have a Care Team Aide to assist with all the other needs. A plan was suggested and then signed off by her doctor. She was coming home in two days.
The family planned a warm homecoming event with a “Welcome Home Mom” sign, and a plethora of homemade snacks. The Care Team clinical manager and aide arrived a couple hours early to help set up the bedroom and assured the Hoyer lift was properly working.
Steve’s wife, brother and sister, their spouses, and the adult grandchildren were all in attendance. Steve’s father was as happy as a child on Christmas morning, awaiting the opening of gifts. When Mom arrived, she was greeted with hugs and kisses, and tears in the eyes of all.
After a couple hours, she excused herself and wanted to take a nap. Our aide assisted her into her bed so she could take a nap. As she drifted off to sleep, she explained that she had been looking forward to sleeping in her own bed.
Later that evening, with a smile on her face for the first time in months, the Lord reached down, took her by the hand and invited her to join Him in her eternal home with Him.
