CARE MANAGEMENT

 A client had struggled with high blood pressure for nearly 3 years.  Our Nurse made an appointment with their physician, and they discussed parameters in which the physician wanted to be notified vs going to the ER.  We enrolled the client on Vital Monitoring so that every time the blood pressure was taken and was outside of what the physician set as acceptable, we were notified.  Calling the physician's office daily for several weeks, they were able to change medications before the follow up that was scheduled a month out.  We are happy to report that this client still has what is considered perfect blood pressure.  Having a nurse work side by side with your physician can make a huge difference.  

 We met a sweet lady that was her husband's sole caregiver with no family in town.  During our conversation she mentioned that she was very concerned that if something happened to her; she knew her husband would not be ok.  After a meeting with our Certified Geriatric Care Manager they were able to assist with Power of Attorney's, Advanced Directives, and putting them in touch with an attorney for a Living Will.  During that meeting, they enrolled in Smart911.com and the CHAMPSS program, as well as discussed some additional resources they might want in the future.  This lady called to let us know that she feels like the world has been lifted off her shoulders knowing that if something does happen, we will be notified and we will stay with him until he is able to get moved to the facility she has chosen.  

 After getting a call from a long-time friend we scheduled a meeting with her father.  He has Parkinsons and although his hands and balance may slow him down, mentally he is still a very capable man.   When we discussed what he misses most he revealed that he feels like he is just waiting to die and that he no longer has a purpose.  We discussed what he did for a living and what types of things he could do to bring him joy.  It turns out that he loves working with wood and his hands.  We made a post on Facebook asking for people that wanted homemade bird houses.  He is now selling birdhouses for $10.00 through his daughter.  He loves getting the new orders and meeting the people that get them.  Giving someone purpose is like giving them a renewed zest for life.