WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO!

Every Friday we usually show videos of our progress with our activities. This week I would like to share with you some of the remarkable stories that have touched my heart and the hearts of our care staff.

The primary objective of the councilor is to provide opportunities for the elderly to make positive memories in their learning environment and to build a foundation of finding joy in cooperating and participating in learning activities and games. Being patient and providing more time to complete a task/activity enables the elderly to explore, learn, and engage.

One day I (Andrea) entered the Svayus unit, and one of my clients was very upset, she has her good days and her bad days, but the bad days have been fewer lately. When I approached my client who was crying, she made eye contact with me and I saw a bit of relief in her eyes. Every day I hug this particular client and tell her how much I love her. On this day, she came to me, and I put my arms around her and held her as she cried. She said to me “I want to go home”. I asked her if she would like to go to her apartment and she agreed. I walked her to her room, hand in hand, and she went to her bed and laid down. She was still crying, so I laid down next to her and held her while she cried. I stroked her hair and told her how much she is loved, and sang her a few songs. After approximately 15 minutes, she had calmed down and rejoined the common area.

One of our clients has become very attached to our care councilor Bobby. Every day for weeks, when Bobby would walk past this particular client, he would play “karate chop” with him. At first the client was unsure of what Bobby was doing, but after about 2 weeks, he started reciprocating. It became a consistent game between the two. Now Bobby has built such a great and fun relationship with the client, that the client looks for him all the time, and will perform his ADL’s without any issues. I have even tried to play the game with him, he gives me a nonplussed look and he says “where’s the big guy?” as Bobby is now known to him! He will inquire as to where he is to other shifts, when he is not in the building.

Nina, a first shift care counselor, has been working closely with one of our lady clients who has been resistant to care. Showers were the most difficult ADL to get her to perform. She would always tell Nina, “don’t tell me what to do” or “I took one yesterday and I don’t need another”. Now, after spending months, consistently every day, and building a relationship of trust with our client, she now says “I’ll do whatever you want me to do” or “I’ll do it because you are always so good to me”!

Sharing these particular stories is to show that a little time spent, consistency, and routine, can create a very fulfilling environment for our clients at The Lanterns. Our clients touch our hearts every day, and our care staff build trusting and fulfilling relationships with our clients.

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