SETTING CHANGED - LIVES CHANGED

Posted on

Jan 09, 2020

Finding the right setting for your loved one is a weighty decision. Sometimes you may find the perfect place but its only perfect for a few months. For some people, a large apartment setting is exactly what they want. They can take advantage of amenities like a swimming pool, theatre, beauty shop, and community room. However, as needs increase, a large setting isnt right for everyone. Here is a story of a life changed by a move to a smaller setting. Frank had lived in a large facility in the locked memory unit. He was an artist at escaping, telling unsuspecting family members can you hold that door? He didnt look or sound impaired in the least, and there was an endless supply of uninformed visitors. Frank was a generous and appreciative man. When someone served him a meal, he was so grateful that hed reach into his pocket for his wallet to give a tip. However, due to the risk of financial exploitation in the big facility, he was only allowed to carry a quarter. Every time he reached into his pocket, many times a day, he was humiliated. When he moved to our 6-person home with a 1:3 staff to client ratio, he was easily redirected when he didnt know what to do next or where to go. We discovered his love of counting coins, and we always needed his help to get our coins counted. We knew there was no exploitation going on, because his coin collection steadily grew as staff and families emptied their pockets into his container! For the bigger bills, we established a system whereby staff counted his money and at beginning and end of each shift, so he could carry a lot of money. He was able to give staff big tips, and he felt great about it. Sometimes wed get a $20 tip for serving him dinner. When Frank wasnt looking, wed slip the money back in his wallet. In spite of his memory loss, the positive feelings he gained from being a generous and needed person stayed with him all day. He was an absolute delight to serve, and like all of our clients, we came to cherish him.
If you think your loved-one would benefit from a smaller setting, look into Residential Care Homes. They may be just the alternative for which youre looking.

Written by Deb Nygaard
Arthurs Senior Care
Admissions Director
Deb.nygaard@arthursseniorcare.com
651-294-4798
www.arthursseniorcare.com

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