Help My Senior

Easing the struggle of the family caregiver

He Said Yes, But Really Meant No

When a patient feels they are under pressure to do something, even a signed consent form can mean trouble for everyone involved.

The story is told of an 83-year-old man in a nursing home who was asked to move to a different room to make room for another patient. The man told the social worker that he liked his room and the view.

The social worker, however, was firm about the need for him to move. Finally, the man flatly stated, “I’ll do whatever my daughter says.”

The daughter was called, and she said, “Go ahead and move him.” The man then signed the facility transfer paperwork.

However, there were some hurt feelings in the process. A week later, a Department of Public Health surveyor came by and was told by the patient, “That social worker, he made me move. I don’t like it here.”

The surveyor cited the facility for failure to provide the resident with his right to refuse a move.

This story, related in the 2022 textbook, A Guide for Nursing Home Social Workers, by Elise M. Beaulieu, advises,

“Social workers need to advocate for residents not to be moved frequently, to support those residents who have a preference for a particular room, and to help balance necessary moves with the facility’s needs.”

Such are the problems of the social worker or admissions coordinator, who must balance a facility’s needs with the rights and the contentment of their patients.

FirstLight Understands These Difficulties

When it comes to working with patients who feel compelled to do something they don’t like, FirstLight Home Care of Deerfield/Lake Forest caregivers have the experience and training to take wise and prudent action. They have worked with these situations before. If the caregiver runs into a difficult situation, they are instructed to call the FirstLight office for advice and instruction.

The next time your rehab patient needs non-medical care, whether at your facility or at home, why not choose FirstLight Home Care? Visit FirstLight of Deerfield/Lake Forest, or call 224-880-6555. Their office is in Libertyville, and they have caregivers in Lake County and northern Cook County.