Hello there, and welcome to my 119th blog.
I am so blessed to really love the work that I do, especially treating the more mature folk. Perhaps, this is because I only started this new field of physio five years ago, and the learning process has been huge. I have navigated new challenges, had to find my feet (more than once), and have slowly but surely developed confidence with this new work.
I am an empathetic person, and often put myself in my patient’s shoes, and I hope that , mostly , I respond to them with care and compassion.
This led me to writing the blog below.
To my future carers,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for taking care of me. I really do appreciate everything you do for me now I cannot do it for myself. It is so difficult to lose one’s independence, and your assistance is fantastic
Although I am so grateful for what you do for me, I would like to chat to you about a few other things which are very important to me.
To start, I have a few “Ifs”.
If I cannot see that well:
- Please could you ensure that I am dressed properly, that all the buttons are done, the zips are zipped, and if possible, could you make sure that my top matches my bottoms, and that if I have to wear napkins (nappies), please could you make sure they are fully covered by my clothing. Please try to ensure that I look as good as I can. I have always prided myself in dressing reasonably well.
- Please could you see that my face is properly made up, even if you just apply a bit of lipstick. I would like foundation (I have always been a foundation type of girl) but understand if this may not be possible. Also, if I have the odd whisker or other facial hair, could you please pluck these for me. Also please wipe my nose, if this is needed.
- Please could you let me know what I am eating and, while I am able to eat without help, let me do this, and could you place a bib on me before I begin. I have been known to mess a bit. Also please wipe any food that may errantly arrive on my face. If possible, can you make sure that my plate has a good protein, loads of multi coloured veggies, and a healthy carb. I do like to eat healthily most of the time.
- I may not be amenable to this, but please could you try to persuade me to listen to audio books if I am unable to read and still have a measure of hearing. I have always loved reading, and it is such a wonderful form of escape.
If I cannot hear that well
- Please can you ensure that I have the appropriate hearing aids that I am able to place in my ears myself if this is at all possible. This is important and will give me some amount of independence.
- Please speak slowly to me, and if necessary, speak close to my ears. Please wait to see that I have heard you, and allow mw time to respond.
- Please approach me with caution, as I may get a fright if I cannot hear you coming.
If I am unable to express my wishes:
- Please ask me one question at a time and wait for my response. If possible, use hand gestures for yes or no, if I am able to understand. Or develop a way in which we may be able to communicate. I do enjoy conversation and have been known to use twice as many as my allotted words often.
- Please be patient as we establish a rapport. I do love people, so am sure we will get on well.
- Please try to make sure that I get visitors, be it family or friends, and try to help me engage with them. I do love to socialize.
If I am emotional and cry a lot:
- Please try to establish the cause or reason for this. If there are none, please can you consult with my doctor for anti-depressants or meds for anxiety or increase the dose of the ones I am already on. Crying can be cathartic, but for a short period of time. It also may make life for people around me miserable!
- Try to make me laugh, either by telling me a joke (though this may not work) or by just being silly. I love being silly, and I have a huge penchant for a good old belly laugh.
If I am not that mobile:
- Please ensure that I have the appropriate assistive device, and make sure that I am able to use it safely and securely. Make sure that I am safe and stable and secure when using the device – especially when learning.
- Please continue walking with me every day and as much as possible. I am a bit of a Duracell bunny, so this will be good for my mental and emotional health, and a great help for my physical well-being too.
A few more things.
- Please talk to me, hug me, laugh with me, smile at me, hold my hand, and try to make me feel loved, nurtured and visible.
- Please do not make me sit in a stuffy and crowded lounge playing bingo. I may be okay with a few of the crafty things, but I have never been a bingo sort of chick.
- If the sun is shining, please take me outside, and let me enjoy the fresh air and sunlight on my face and body for a little while if it is very warm, or for longer if it is that glorious winter sun.
- Let me enjoy my bubbles or wine, but in moderation. I do not want to fall and injure myself.
- If I am able to hear, please let me listen to the radio, particularly a musical station, for the oldies, if this is around.
- Give me chocolate, every day, if possible.
- Try to ensure that I get visitors, I do enjoy the odd bit of socializing.
- If it is possible, please get me into a pool. I love swimming, and it is so beneficial for me.
- Let me talk, and really try to listen to me, and hear what I say.
I will be honest here and say that I really hope not to need any of the “ifs” mentioned above, but forearmed is forewarned,, and if it becomes necessary for you to care for me, it will help you to know these things.
However, this is not going to happen!
Instead, I plan to :
- Carry on working for as long as I love it and am able.
- Continue to laugh, have fun, make the most, and enjoy my life to the fullest.
- Lie in the sun, swim in the sea and in rivers, travel, climb mountains, walk, hike, and continue to enjoy exploring our magnificent world.
- Drink bubbles, eat chocolate, revel in tasty food, mostly healthy, but also with an element of decadence.
- Revel in family time, even if it is not as often as I would like it to be.
- Overthink less, stop worrying, lose the anxiety, and just enjoy. This may be wishful thinking, but worth striving for.
- Keep learning, being curious, becoming more proficient in French, and trying to make a difference.
- Keep moving and maintaining my strength and balance for as long as I can.
- Cherish and love my nearest and dearest, spending as much time as I can with them.
- Keep improving my mind and remaining curious.
- Love deeply, care richly, be kind, and live my best life as the very best version of me.
Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend, and for those who celebrate Easter, may it be a blessed one for you.