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Bridging You Home ‘a positive program’

August 11, 2016   ·   0 Comments

My mother turned 87 and had a knee replacement done. She still lives in her own home, drives, and is very active. I learned about the Bridging You Home program offered at The Lord Dufferin Centre and phoned to inquire about it. I spoke to Patricia Banks and was so impressed with what she had to say. I booked an appointment for my mom and me to come and see for ourselves. We were very impressed with the facility and with Patricia.

Patricia went to the hospital to assess mom on the morning she was being released, which was only two days after the surgery. Mom passed the assessment and we got her to her new temporary home.

Everyone was kind and helpful. Please keep in mind that there is so much pain involved with this surgery that people who know what they are doing and treating you with kindness and respect means so much.

I could have had Mom immediately back to my house, but she would not have had the daily therapy, and I would definitely have had to take time off work to be with her, especially at the beginning. The program not only means so much to the person who needs the care, but to the family members as well.

The therapist came in the very next day and began the therapy program which would help Mom to start gaining back her independence. The therapist was in three times a week and the care workers helped Mom do the therapy later in the day and totally on days the therapist was not in.

I must also mention that the therapist Kristin was a wonderful person as well and obviously very talented at her job. The care workers were in morning, noon, and night to offer assistance with bathing and dressing. They were also there to take Mom down to the dining room for her meals. It was very comforting to know that Patricia or another nurse were in every day to make sure the incision was healing as it should be and to answer all of our questions. It is important to have this kind of expert support when you have questions about pain medication and their side effects.

I also want to mention how important it is for people to have their own private space and washroom at times like this. The addition of a television and telephone were so great as well. Mom was very comfortable in her room. Since she was in during a heat wave, there was an air conditioner in her bedroom as well. The other important thing is the call button that she was asked to wear. It certainly gave us peace of mind to know that help was only a push away if required.

The family was always welcomed and they didn’t seem to mind me dropping by several times a day to check on Mom and help out as best as I could.

It has been three weeks and Mom is doing just great. She is going to come and stay with me for a bit longer before she actually goes back to her own house, but without this program that day would bit be as soon as it will be now.

If we had more programs like this one, our seniors would be able to stay in their own homes much longer.

We are so fortunate to have been a part of this program. Many thanks to Patricia and all the staff at the Lord Dufferin Centre. We are so fortunate to have this type of program available in our town.

Sincerely,

June O’Neill and Family

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