This is an entry to recognize a top caregiver in the industry, submitted by Richard at Home Instead Senior Care in California. Please join us is recognizing a care job well done.
This past year, we received a call from a couple to help a gentleman with a shower a couple of times a week. He was a large, formerly very strong, man who now had difficulty standing and walking. During the introductory call, the care consult and the CAREGiver introduction, he continually repeated that he was deathly afraid of falling when trying to get into the shower.
He was funny during the care consult as we discussed the service. With his wife by his side, he said that no one but her had seen him naked in 64 years. He had a lot of misgivings but knew that he had to get this done.
The first day of service, I did the introduction. Celia went in to survey the situation in the small walk-in shower in the small bathroom. There was no way to do a nice pivot transfer. It was going to be a gait belt transfer where she would stand in the shower, help him to his feet, work the pivot and, in very close quarters, help him to sit down. After the shower, the process had to be reversed with the added complications of slippery.
We walked back into the living room. Celia told the couple that she had a plan but first let’s visit and get to know one another. She completely disarmed him and put him at ease about the process of getting undressed and of being in close proximity by developing the relationship. Then she told him how they were going to actually move about. But, rather than getting right to it, she told him that they were going to dance. They moved over by the kitchen counter so he would have something to grab hold of if he needed. Then, she helped him stand and they proceeded to dance.
Each week until he and his wife decided to isolate because of the pandemic, he and Celia would successfully get him showered. We look forward to starting up again when they decide to let people back in their home. They still check to make sure Celia is available.
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