Live In Carer Of The Month – Susan Hutchinson
We would like to tell you about some of our outstanding care stories, and really appreciate all that our carers do and feel they deserve more of a mention!!
Within our stories, no specific service users have been used to protect their identity.
Our carer of the month, this month is Susan Hutchinson – Susan has gone to incredible lengths to provide outstanding Dementia care to a Service user living in her own home. This is part of a full time live in placement.
Elsie is a 93 years old Dementia/ Parkinson’s client, who is unable to walk, or move, and is confined to bed. While the personal care was a challenge, her cognitive behaviour was even harder: Aggressive, Difficult, Verbal Confrontation, and a refusal to co-operate.
After I researched the past history with her family, went through albums, recollections, and ‘happy times’ it became obvious that Elsie remembered more about the war years than any other time.
The Doctor assisted in reviewing the current medication, and I started dressing with a 1940’s ‘look: Hair, makeup, pinnies. I played 1940’s songs and music, cooked familiar ‘old fashioned’ foods: Corned beef Hash, Roly Poly with custard. Homemade rice pudding. etc. Scents that she remembered: like Lilly of the valley, Roses. More importantly, I started to use 1940’s ‘language’, which she would have used in the 40’s: ‘my dear’ what about a nice cup a tea’ ‘Crikey’ etc etc in a very quiet even tone.
Elsie made major changes very quickly. Words. Food. Music. Aesthetics, Looking at photos, and Language has made a big impact on Elsie. She feels secure, safe, and happy living in her own world – the 1940’s. And, no more aggressive/confrontational behaviour.
I have to say that I feel very privileged not just that we have such an outstanding team of carers but also that we can provide this type of service to individuals living in their own homes. I also feel very proud that our service allows us to provide quality care and also the time to do so.
