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Geriatric Care Managers As An Advocate and Friend
By: Sheri D. Fanning,RN,C
Recently, I had a family member contact me from out of state.
She had been concerned about her mother and her current
health status. This older adult had been having medical
problems for about two months when the family began to worry
that their mother needed someone to help keep an eye on
her medical problems. This older adult had not been hospitalized
for her medical condition but was being treated on an out
patient basis thus she was unable to get home care services
through Medicare. Both the daughters lived out of state
and had children and jobs they could not leave for an extended
period of time.
During a visit home over the holidays the family noticed
their mother was not recuperating as fast as they had hoped.
The doctors assured the family it was only going to be a
matter of time until their mothers health returned. When
it was time for the family to return to their homes they
were concerned about who would keep an eye on their mother.
Feeling a little guilty and apprehensive one of the daughters
called me and asked how my services could help. I explained
that I was a nurse and we reviewed her mother medical status
over the phone. We set up a time when her mother and I could
meet.
I visited the mother of the woman I had spoken with and
we decided on how we could best use my services to meet
her and her daughters needs, I then returned home and with
the wishes of my client and her family, developed a plan
of care. Over the next few days my client and I developed
a special relationship that I also shared with her daughters.
As the days pasted my clients condition continued to decline
I made doctor appointments for her and attended them with
her. The doctors were able to get a clearer picture of how
my clients medical status was changing. I kept in very close
contact with the daughters with updates on their mothers
status after each contact and doctors appointment. Unfortunately,
my clients status came to a point were we had to hospitalize
her. I took her to the hospital of her choice and made sure
the physicians knew her current and past medical history.
It took me 4 hours to convince the doctors to admit her
for observation, but after my client was finally admitted
we notified the daughters and together we decided when it
was time for the daughters to come home. The daughters and
I had not met before but when we saw each other we knew
each other. My focus changed from not only meeting the needs
of the mother but also the needs of the family in this very
difficult time.
My client was a very courageous women who was unable to
fight her medical problems and she died a short time later.
She was very grateful for the attention I gave her and made
sure to let me know how important she felt my services were.
The family also expressed their gratitude for being there
when they couldnąt and making their mothers last days as
comfortable as possible.
This experience convinced me that there is a need for my
services and I can make a difference. The services I provide
are unique and personal and are tailored to meet the needs
of the client and their families. Because I am not a large
agency I can offer the older adult and their family a service
that is cost effective but also personal. There are many
older adults and families who want and need professional
medical assistance but can not afford the enormous cost.
I work with each older adult and family so we can together
can meet their health care needs.
In loving memory of E.M.K.
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