Senior Sing-a-Long

Hello,

One of my desires in working as a CNA is to be able to connect with patients on a personal level.  When I was teaching, I would take my students and staff members from Widney High School to St. Anne's Retirement Home, and The Carl Bean Aids Center, to sing holiday music, and again, later in the year, for a "Spring Sing".  Also, my Special Opportunities group would do a Christmas concert at various sights, such as Robert F. Kennedy Hospital, for mentally ill patients. 

At Christmas, we would show up decked out in our red Santa hats. Our musical combo included Michael on the guitar, an occasional drum player, me on the piano, students with jingle bells, and other musical accents.  Michael would take over on the piano for the 12 Days of Christmas, and other "fast" songs, since my fingers could not keep up.  My spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. LOL.

I found the residents very receptive to our singing.  Some students sang solos and in small group ensembles.  I remember observing residents singing along, since long-term memory is often still active in seniors.  Many overwhelming times, while I was playing "Silent Night", I glanced over to see patients and residents crying.  I believe that the songs impart an emotional connection with the past, family, and community.  The singing connection also quite possibly evokes feelings of loneliness, loss, and estrangement from others, especially in those patients who do not get many visitors, and who have lost their social network.  With good cheer often comes tears - sadness or joy?

Well, back to my CNA story.  I was caring for a resident, by changing her bed and straightening her room.  I remembered seeing her in the activity room singing along with a TV presentation of "old-fashioned" songs.  I started singing, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", and she chimed in with a lovely alto voice.  Then we sang, "Heart of My Heart".  It was so touching to me.  Another day, I sang some "Sinatra" songs with 2 residents, "Crooners", I called them, while they were waiting for lunch in the dining room.

Music speaks volumes.

'Til next time,
Stephanie

Mechanisms for Life

Hello,

We are heavy into our clinical work at the sub-acute care center, and I am learning new strategies for providing care everyday.

I even learned how to operate a mechanical lift, with a partner's assistance, which can haul a person, who cannot ambulate or assist in a transfer, out of bed and onto a stretcher, or into a chair.  As a non mechanically-inclined person, or so I have always believed, I was fascinated at the strength, albeit tenuous, operation of this mechanical wonder.  I marveled at the inventors and engineers who created this device.  It reminds me of the type of invention that my grandson Eric, who is a novice builder and inventor at 10 years old, would appreciate.  God gives people different gifts and talents for sure.

I also was thankful to God today for the gift of creating a small measure of independence in the lives of the people who use this mechanical lift.  The stretcher turned into a bath vehicle for a refreshing shower, while the chair was a special lounging "change of pace", also relieving pressure on body parts that had lain still throughout the night.

I believe that this powerful machine, being driven by me, an inexperienced operator, and hoisting the full weight of a dependent being, delivered an exciting message about overcoming obstacles; we must rely on each other to go over, under, around, and through our problems, and our perceived notions of futility. 

I felt like I was loading and unloading at the docks, except that this adventure involved lifting and safely depositing precious human cargo, with minds, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, just like you and I have....Maybe I'll sign up as a Longshore-woman.  That will really be a new transition for me!

'Til next time,
Stephanie

Patience With The Patient Patient

Hello,

I now know why a patient is called a patient...because he/she has to be!  I started working with patients at a sub-acute care center.  People are there for different reasons, such as illness recuperation, post-operative care, injury rehabilitation, various chronic maladies, and hospice.  The student CNA's, such as myself, shadow and train under a licensed CNA, branching from assisting with care to performing tasks independently.

Here is where the theory, knowledge, and medical/technical training we receive in the classroom meets the reality of a living, breathing patient actually receiving care.  There is clinical excellence expected amid checking patients' vital signs, bathing and dressing them, changing linens, preparing patients for therapy and doctor appointments, and assisting with feeding.

The "patient" patient is the focus, but while providing excellent care to one in a slow-paced manner, another needs immediate attention.  As my CNA told me, "There's a way you learned in class, and the way it truly works in the "real world".  So, after being advised that I would never get finished if I spent too much time with each patient, I decided that 'TLC with speed" would be my goal.  I will not compromise omitting a caring touch, a smile, and a kind word, for the sake of being a perfunctory, but efficient caregiver. 

In my utopian viewpoint, there is room for both, with the err being on the side of  "patience" concerning the patient.  I want to give the same care I would want to receive myself.  "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you".  If I move too quickly I could injure a patient, or my light might extinguish.

"Til next time,
Stephanie