It has been a tough year for everyone in the wake of the coronavirus. More so for the elderly who need extra special care and attention. Staying at home and having only the TV for company can be lonely and isolating.
Loved ones, carers and nurses have been able to make home visits to elderly relatives and clients to say hello, give help with – getting in or out of bed, in the shower, getting dressed – making cups of tea, cooking a meal, changing a bed and making sure medication is being taken.
Those in care homes have had restricted contact to safeguard and protect the environment, which has been so hard. We know of many relatives who can’t wait for the care home restrictions to lift next week, so they can enjoy the simple things like sitting and watching telly with their mum, dad or spouse.
As nurses we are trained to notice details. We have eagle eyes and super sonic senses. It’s true! On our daily rounds, throughout this last year, we adopted an even more forensic approach to make sure we spot mental health symptoms in our elderly clients.
Our questions have been centred on how our clients feel, what they think their mood has been like, what have other people said about their mood? Have they felt irritable? How are they sleeping? Are they sleeping too much or are they sleeping too little? Do they worry? Do they feel stressed? Are they eating? Are they over-eating? Do they have thoughts or plans that they might harm themselves?
These questions then unlock what our clients have been worrying about: growing apart from their adult children and grandchildren; aches and pains but not wanting to be a burden by calling the GP; hospital visits and not wanting to catch the virus and die; being confused by the news and not understanding all of the information; and fears about being back out in the world again. We are listening for a sense of hopelessness or a feeling of, “What’s the point?”
That’s why, we openly talk about:
- Feeling anxious or low about the coronavirus
- That it’s natural to feel this way
- Notice how you are feeling
- There are things you can do to help look after yourself mentally
- Staying in touch with family and friends
- Speaking up when you’re feeling low
- Explaining that you’re not alone, everyone is having up and down times
- Staying active, even if exercising from a comfortable armchair
- Making sure you eat, at least one hot meal a day, and drink enough
- Relax and get a good night’s sleep
- Support that is available: befriending, mental health and anxiety services
- Calling the GP
Taking this time to chat with our clients makes a real difference. We can visibly see shoulders drop, hear breathing change, tones lighten, smiles and laughter returning, and comments about feeling better for having talked. We all need to talk. Mental health matters.
At Nurse Call we are big fans of inspirational quotes. We love this one from Texan vulnerability and shame researcher and author, Brene Brown: “Connection is why we’re here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.” In the work that we do, these words profoundly affect our every day.
Please call our team if you need advice or help with an elderly loved one, no question is too tall or small: 0141 639 1802.
