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Anna’s Story - A Geriatric Care Manager solved the issue of the need for In Home Care
No one wants to admit they are less capable of life’s challenges and your parents are probably prime examples. Here is a case Medical Maze Solutions recently dealt with.
PROBLEM: Anna was not taking her medication and regularly calling the police saying she was alone, afraid and had no food. Her family lived out of town and it was difficult to come to Ventura whenever the police would call them and when they did come, Anna refused to hire a caregiver. It was apparent they needed someone locally to assist with putting out the on- going fires and to find a solution for Anna.
SOLUTION: A care geriatric care manager was called to assist. Anna was verbally combative, angry and aggressive. According to the family, she had some long term psychotic, paranoia and trust issues and now dementia, but had refused to go to the doctor. It took time and patience, lots of patience (again this can be difficult for family members) to gain her trust.
In order to get the help she needed, the Care Manager worked with her in the one area Anna was willing to address. She showed interest in why she was having trouble with her memory. We discussed what the options might help. With prompting and the suggestion that medication may help, she eventually made the decision to see a doctor. The proper medication helped us to work on getting someone in the home to assist her and to make sure the medications were taken.
Working in the area that she was willing to address, we found that although she refused a caregiver in her home, she did continue to be afraid when she was alone. The Geriatric Care Manager began to bring a “friend” with her when she visited. Then the “friend” would stay a little longer each time (patience and time was a necessity). Eventually she allowed the “friend” to stay with her during the day and then later night time as well.
CONCLUSION: We had to allow her to move forward at her own pace, we continued to value her opinion, and to respect her input. Finally In-Home-Care was established.
All families’ members come to the negotiation table with baggage good and bad, making it difficult to be objective. They are concerned about their loved one's safety, and tend to want the fastest solution. If pushed too hard, the senior becomes demoralized, aware they no longer have their autonomy, believing their children are taking away their independence. If you allow them to move at their own pace, yes there is always a possibility that something unforeseen could happen during that time, but isn’t part of our responsibility to allow them their dignity of choice?
By: Pat Hansen |
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Listen to Pat Hansen's interview with KVTA's Kelli McKay - from April 10, 2009 - Click Here to Download.