Deficits or Abilities?
When you look over the first paperwork on a new patient, do you automatically focus on their deficits? After all, isn't that what we're supposed to do? Find a problem and then fix it, right?
Well, I guess that is true, but after you note all the deficits and consider them, are there any abilities to focus on? I'll admit, these abilities can be difficult to see on a bunch of admit paperwork, but hopefully easier to find once you meet the person.
We recently had a new admit at our LTC, and the hospital paperwork arrived one day prior. We all grimaced as we read the list of diagnoses. The list was long, ranging from cardiac problems, dementia, hypertension, old fractures, 95 years old, and a recent fall sustaining a hip fracture with a total replacement. We all began to think one thing, long term care resident coming up! Of course, our deduction was just from reading paperwork.
That is, until this patient arrived. Beginning treatments the next day we all wondered how far we could push this person. But despite the long list of problems, this is just one happy and determined person. During therapy in the gym, this person loves to sing to us and chats with all the other patients. To our surprise, they have progressed very well through therapy.
I definitely learned from this patient that having the attitude and determination to "get better" will overcome all the challenges anyone is faced with. I read the paperwork and thought deficits; I met the person and found abilities.
Until next time, hope all your thoughts are good-
Tim