"We applaud your excellent staff"

Last Thursday my mother had a follow up visit from OT Amy and this time brought along Katie. Amy had been over previously and was coming to get mum out of bed and into her wheelchair using a gantry hoist that had coincidentally been installed that day. Mum had been in bed for almost a month so she was happy, if somewhat apprehensive, about getting into a hoist and onto her wheelchair.

Amy and Katie’s patient, caring and reassuring demeanour made my mum feel safe and comfortable. They were both thoughtful and encouraging as well as respectful to my mum. They even took the time to show me how to use the hoist; giving me the opportunity to move my mum and lower her onto her wheelchair, checking for understanding and taking the time to answer any questions or concerns I had. Katie was particularly encouraging in alleviating any fears I may have to using the equipment offering a supportive attitude, while Amy’s suggestions of taking photos to prompt my memory when they were not there to hold my hand was a brilliant idea. Instructing me to use the hoist was incredibly helpful as it meant I would be able to move my mum independently of any carers.

Amy was very vigilant when it came to making my mum feel comfortable in her chair and was great in offering guidance about pressure sores and how to move to help mitigate further problems. She recognised that mum’s wheelchair was the not best for support or comfort so she put the wheels in motion to get a new chair and cushion. It was wonderful to see the absolute joy on my mum’s face when they maneuvered my mum into her back garden on a bright sunny day to see and smell the roses growing there. Amy and Katie even offered, without prompting, to take a photo of my mum and I together. They recognized the simple pleasures in life that are often taken for granted and because of their help my mum and I can now sit at the table and have a meal together. This is something that I had truly missed with my mum being in bed, eating alone, now we can eat together and I am elated.

I can’t thank Amy and Katie, enough for what they have done for my mum. They took the time to talk to my mum, make her feel comfortable, recognise her needs, encourage her and truly see her.

Amy followed up the next day to tell us that she’d passed on information to Mum’s care team, had ordered a cushion for the chair and to see how we were getting on. What an incredible caring service!

Not sure if you give out medals in your department, but these two ladies absolutely deserve it. Although two weeks in the Bahamas with their feet up being pampered seems more fitting. Getting mum back on her feet (or wheels as the case may be) should be rewarded with a couple weeks off theirs. We applaud your department and your excellent choice of employees. Thank them again please, they have brought much joy and big smiles to our faces.