The goal of the training session was to educate and empower Companion Home Care staff to render lifesaving aid to their clients in the event of a catastrophe. Caregivers were taught how to recognize the nature of the emergency, and what steps to take to stabilize an individual until emergency medical staff have arrived.
The Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team consists of men and women, both veterans and active duty soldiers, from all service branches, who have sustained injuries resulting in amputation. Through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes, playing against teams across the country in competitive, celebrity, and exhibition games.
After four months into this situation, I can see the decline in his cognition in our day-to-day activities such as his confusion as what to do with his toothbrush, and how he now abhors bathing. The surprise is that this man has become quite a charming and witty personality. He is conversing and taking part in group activities and offering vocal advice that only the insight of a 90-year-old can offer. His humor is on time and I have yet to experience any stuttering.
Just like most of us love to get something nice in the mail, greeting cards are an incredible wealth of engagement for our clients with Dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The act of using dexterity to open the envelope. The brain stimulation with the curiosity of looking at the "return address" and trying to recognize it. The look of accomplishment if and when they do recognize the name. The simplistic writing on the inside makes for easy words and easy reading.
