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Words of Wisdom: Assessing your Home environment: Understanding Now and Tomorrow.
As a physical therapist that works in the home care environment, one of the critical aspects of my job is forecasting. Generally, people want me to address their immediate needs; recent injury, surgery, or illness, and get them back on the road to recovery. Additionally, I incorporate critical analysis to assess my client’s progression or regression of health and mobility accurately, and attempt to envision the physical needs six months to one year in the future. For when a patient’s medical, physical, and/or cognitive ability has reached a level that requires more assistance today. It is not uncommon to determine that the patient’s condition is more fragile and advanced than they appear. Considering a change in lifestyle can be a very emotional and anxious event for elders and their families. Finding an easier path on this journey is the purpose of this article. For those of you having to assist your loved ones, or parents in deeming the safety of their home environment. It is crucial that you accurately and realistically estimate, your loved ones future physical, mental, and medical needs. Collaboration is always a great method. Home Health Care agencies are specialists in assisting those that are having trouble at home. Social Service workers, and agencies are great resources for community, and statewide programs to assist you and your family. As a healthcare professional, our mindset is towards worst-case scenarios. This is a great tool to use. Do they struggle during the day? Then what happens at 3 AM? How will they get food and necessities when no one is available? Quite often it is important not to take answers that our patients or family members at face value. It is only natural for people to grasp tightly to their independence. So, be thorough in doing your needs assessment, and aware of the emotional impact of this process. For me, this concept can seem somewhat contradictory. For I am one that champions returning to form, and achieving full recover. Leaving this particular incident, regardless of what it was, as simply a small speed bump in life. I am also a strong advocate for elders staying in their home as long as possible. But the one principle that defends the idea of choosing a new living environment that will be appropriate tomorrow, not just today, is the simple act of moving. Moving from ones home, no matter how long you have lived there, to a new one is a major stress event. Such a move has several powerful antagonists. First, is the change in environment. Many of the elders I work with have lived in their homes for 40-50 and even 60 years. It is like the loss of a loved one. It is a profound experience, and yet it will be coupled with the most powerful experience of them all. Mortality. Becoming aware of our mortality is an experience we all will have. Emotions, such as, deep sense of loss, depression, anguish, fear, frustration, failure, hopelessness are just a few that can be experienced when one goes from a place of independence to a style or state of dependence. Unfortunately a lot of families choose to buffer the totality of this life experience by trying a temporary stay at family members home. But moving from a place of permanent residence, to a new one, no matter the method, is still a move from independent to dependent. So, be aware, and tread lightly. As the caregiver, you probably have the power in this decision. Respect it. Respect them. Give them their space. Be open, honest, and direct with communication. Caution! Use tact and gentleness when being direct and honest. It may be cliché’, but communication is truly the best approach. Communication without honesty is a recipe for disaster. It is not time to become the super son or daughter, suddenly behaving as if your relationship is just great. If your relationship is estranged, be compassionate, and know what you are helping them, and they will be grateful. In a difficult situation, were the elders and or loved ones are in a fragile environment, or one that is not sustainable. Giving them choices will ease the tension and anxiety. So, do I contradict my existence, in a way yes! For if you thought being a healthcare provider was solving the problem by looking only at the parts of, not the whole person, then I do contradict my function. But that’s not what we do. From the moment the door opens the job has begun. It is through this model I have tried to help you view your problem. Speak openly and often. Develop discussion time through family lunches, or even a group breakfast in which children, parents, grandchildren, caregivers all converse and input on the subject. The time you spend to assess, discuss, gather, investigate, listen, and resolve, will be time well invested for the joy and happiness of all involved. Thank you for your time. Mark Smith |
