When We Started
Helen, an 89-year-old living alone after the loss of her husband, suffered a series of mini-strokes that resulted in a hospital visit. This alerted her family that she now needed more care than they alone could provide. Her family wanted the best care while ensuring her comfort, and she wanted to recover in her home rather than a care facility, so they contacted ASI. Later that year, Helen had surgery to place a pacemaker and declined as she struggled to recover, suffering falls, cognitive fluctuations, and delirium from lack of oxygen. We helped her family manage the situation and ultimately resolved many of these problems.
Medical issues at the time:
- Trouble sleeping
- Weakness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue
- Delirium and hallucinations
- TIAs (transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes)
- Foggy memory
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Swelling in the lower legs and ankles
- Decline in walking ability and coordination
Interventions We Performed
- Implemented a regular home visit schedule with one of our care specialists
- Set up a team of 24-hour non-medical caregivers
- Accompanied Helen to medical appointments
- Worked with her cardiologist to provide oxygen equipment and a specialized bed, since she wasn't getting the oxygen she needed at night
- Created a personalized care plan with a memory support system for caregivers and a medication management plan coordinated with physicians and the pharmacy
- Added a chiropractor, acupuncturist, and in-home therapist to help with her mobility and overall health
Outcome
- Greatly improved sleep with enough oxygen at night, reducing fatigue and delirium and significantly reducing TIAs
- More than 3 years since experiencing any delirium-induced hallucinations
- Improved appetite and healthy weight gain
- Helen can now use a walker and participates in regular workout sessions
- Much improved mental clarity, so Helen can continue to enjoy her hobbies and art classes
- Her family can care for and spend quality time with her while having time for their own lives
To protect privacy, names and images have been changed.
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