Long-term Care

I thoroughly enjoyed our class speaker, Tom Lavallee, from Monday's lecture on long-term care.  He talked about many interesting points of his experience in working in these types of facilities.  Part of my reasoning for wanting to become a radiation therapist was because I liked to help people will cancer, of all ages, but specifically, I like working with the elderly.  I have a strong place in my heart for the elderly, and always have.  They are so sweet (most of the time), and always look at you as if they see themselves in you, so many years ago.  I find their stories and compassion for things so interesting.  I somehow get along very well with them as well.  It takes certain people, and specific characteristics to be able to be a good employee in a long term care facility.  You have to love what you do, and want to do it. 

 My grandmother is currently struggling with huge health obstacles, and was just moved from a hospital into a long-term care facility.  She is not an easy patient to have.  She likes her meals exactly right, when she rings the buzzer she expects someone to be there instantly, and she does not like people telling her what to do.  That is how she felt while she was staying in the hospital.  However, since placed in this long-term care facility, although she is in pain, she is more comfortable here than she was in the hospital.  She has told me all of her nurses are extremely kind and generous, and help her whenever she needs help.  She is now happy because she is able to eat turkey and mashed potatoes, not only because of her diet change, but because it is actually edible!  That goes to show how much of an upgrade long-term care facilities are from hospitals.  It seems as if their goal is to just keep the patient as happy and comfortable as they can.  Long-term care facilities used to be a place people were sent to live out the rest of their lives comfortably.  Now, they are looked at more as rehabilitation centers.  I agree with that statement because yes, my grandmother is very sick, but she is out of a hospital now and in a place of rest.  She is here in order to make her feel better and work to getting stronger, and that is just what they are doing.  

Overall, I think long-term care is a great part of healthcare.  It shows that our elderly are treated with the most care and compassion.  It is hard for some elderly people to move out of their homes, and become dependent on other people.  But with a good, welcoming staff, it will help them make their stay as "home-y" as possible.