An Act of Selflessness

One day while visiting a six bed residential care facility, I had a conversation with the Owner/caregiver. A woman in her 50's. The residents were being cared for so wonderfully, their rooms were personalized nicely, not to mention there were group pictures of the residents on the walls to remind them that they were at home. While talking to the caregiver, she began telling me that she had been diagnosed with stage four cancer but refuse to stop caring for the residents because of her diagnosis. In fact she went further to say that when I arrived they were coming back from Las Vegas because one of the residents turned 92 years old and wanted to spend her birthday there. I couldn't believe that "IN SPITE OF" her illness, she found it more important to selflessly care for others. Definitely an ACT OF SELFLESSNESS.

A Little Care

After visiting one of my facilities several times, I noticed that the administrator's interest in the residents was becoming less and less. Things that were of necessity were broken and or damaged. The shower was broken, toilet cracked, furniture was dirty and not in good repair. The kitchen had no cabinet doors and food was exposed, not to mention, he was seen filling the arrowhead bottle with the water hose and allowed smoking in non smoking areas. Needless to say after speaking with the administrator in depth and trying to obtain a plan of action from him, the facility was written up and reported to licensing along with my report. After being given ample time to make the necessary repairs, I began to see little improvement with every visit. I visit the facility this week and I am happy to say that the administrator has made all improvements and now takes pride in maintaining a clean, healthy and safe facility and the residents appeared to be much happier and much more comfortable which is the ultimate goal. A little care went a long way. 

Blessed Convalescent Care

Today I visited two facilities. They were residential care facilities. When I go, I'm looking for a well groomed outside that is resident friendly. Upon entering, the staff was very welcoming. I could clearly see that the focus was the residents care and comfort which is what it should be. After speaking to the residents and introducing myself and my purpose for being there, they began to tell me how happy they were living in these residential care facilities. A few of them had visitors, they were smiling, moving around, had their own personalized rooms. They were clean and so was the facility. It was a sunny and healthy environment thanks to the people who care, their caregivers.


copyright 2011 Krishtine Ross

Regaining Independence

While making a routine visit at a convalescent facility upon entering, I began walking the halls, smelling, looking and simply observing ... Listening ... again listening. I heard a woman gently yelling from her room help me. I knocked on the door, walked into the room and said ma'am I will get someone to help you right away. She asked, Are you a nurse? I said, no I'm not but I will get someone for you. At that moment, I identified myself, showing her my badge and which program I was with and went on to get help. I found a nurse, identified myself and said a resident needs help, can you follow me? She proceeded. We entered the room and the nurse asked, How can I help you? The resident replied, I need help to the restroom. As the nurse began helping her, she looked at me and said, Thank you, can you wait here until I'm finished? I replied, No problem, which let me know that she had more to tell me.

After the nurse left, the resident informed me that although she needs help getting to the restroom, she IS capable of using it and would rather not lose her dignity using it in the diaper. She felt it was humiliating. She also informed me that once a staff member heard her calling for help, walked into her room, turned her call light off and walked out saying, She'll use it eventually, she's wearing a depend (diaper). Learning this news, I immediately visited the administrator's office to report the incident so the situation could be monitored and dealt with, reiterating that the goal is to help the resident regain independence. After several visits back to the facility, this was no longer an issue for the resident. :-)

copyright 2011 Krishtine Ross

My Inspiration ... Our Nana 90 years old

Our Nana was a dignified woman. A pillar of strength and love. Her character... never wavered, God fearing! She had a saying, " It pays to be nice to everyone because you never know who's hand you may fall into later in life. " As I cared for Nana, I also had a saying, " I'm still here Nana" to remind her that she was never alone, EVER. Her life meant something to me and it became my life, a true blessing. I learned two very important things from Nana that I will never forget and pass on to my children, selflessness and the importance in being of service to others. Nana was a giver be it her time in church, a donation to several charities, a kind word or knowledge learned from an experience in life. She trusted me, relinquishing doubt and fear, for that alone I am extremely humbled and grateful.

You are loved, missed and never forgotten Nana

copyright 2011 Krishtine Ross

Communication IS Key

While making a routine visit at a convalescent facility, I poked my head into a very quiet room and gently said, hello I heard a very sweet voice reply "come in." I introduced myself, where I was from and what my purpose was. I asked how are you feeling today? Are you happy here? She replied, well, I'm feeling ok, I just wish I could call my daughter. I watch the news and there have been a few hurricane's in her area and I'd like to make sure she's ok. She went further to explain that she could not walk and reasons why. I asked if she had a cellular phone but she didn't. I began walking the halls of the facility until I found the charge nurse and explained the situation to her. We both agreed that upon the residents request, a cordless telephone should be brought to her so that she may communicate with her loved ones. What an easy fix!

copyright 2011 Krishtine Ross

Inspiration Behind The Solution

His name is John. He was a vibrant hard worker. He was also a son, a friend, and a partner. He woke up one morning ready to enjoy another day at work and had no idea that THIS day would be life changing. He arrived at the construction site at his usual time. While working, a steel beam fell on his head leaving him paralyzed. After numerous surgery's to restore his facial features, John was placed in a Convalescent facility where he laid on his back for months and months only crying, hoping, wishing and praying for a solution to live a more normal life. One day an advocate for the residents in the facility made a routine visit and met John on this day. He expressed his concerns and in a matter of weeks he had a motorized wheelchair that allowed him to interact with the other residents at the facility.

copyright 2011 Krishtine Ross