Sunday, September 25, 2016

Elderly Lady Who Does Not Speak Starts Singing Elvis Songs

Before I became an Administrator for Psalms Home Care Consulting and Psalms Senior Care Homes, I had a very impressive title, an important job, my own office in a corner with a window, my own conference room, a little kitchenette and lots and lots of file cabinets.  I was the Director of Human Resources for a continuing care retirement community.  My main job really was to manage files. 

I should have been happy with this fabulous opportunity and the future that it could create.  On the contrary, I started becoming less and less happy.  I am a people person and managing files all day long, day after day was like a prison sentence. 

Thus, during my own time, I asked the activity directors if I could play some flute music for the residents.  I missed working with the senior residents like I did with the job before the prison-sentence job.  The answer was a very enthusiastic YES!

It was Christmas season, and I was sad, as this was a year that my children's father had our daughters for Christmas Eve.  It was even more sad to see some of the residents with no visitors on Christmas Eve. 

I played Christmas songs at dinner on Christmas Eve for the residents who had no family coming to visit them. Many of the residents starting singing and I played for over an hour.  The plan was to play for 20 minutes!  I felt joyous and they felt joyous!  I did the same thing on Valentine's Day.  One resident who was non-communicative and obviously showed no pleasure from any activity raised her head and sang to all the Elvis songs (well it was two Elvis songs) that I played on my flute.  The familiar music triggered an enjoyable memory for her.  I cleaned my flute and replayed for my "fans" both Elvis songs and all the verses so this lady could "sing her heart out" on Valentine's Day.

These residents' reactions triggered me to do a little more research. I discovered the Music and Memory Organization.  I wanted my current employer to try this program, but it deviated from my focus to manage files.  I left corporate America in April of 2015 and joined Psalms Home Care Consulting so I could make a hands-on difference to the aging population.  Not only am I the Administrator, sometimes I get to be a caregiver, and many times I have opportunity to provide therapeutic music activities.  In September of 2016, I created a music program called "Gospel To Go," and there are locations that are pleased to invite me to provide music for their residents who could use an enjoyable activity.

Psalms Home Care Consulting and Psalms Senior Care Homes became certified through the Music and Memory Organization with Seniors in Motion of Denton, TX in November of 2015.  Jean Seward, the Founder and Owner of Seniors in Motion is on the Psalms Home Care Advisory Board.  The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services funded 135 nursing homes to become certified and implement the Music and Memory Program in 2015-2016.  There is evidence to show that personalized music is reducing the use of psychotropic medications and reducing falls--two quality indicators that are heavily surveyed in nursing homes by the state.

The remarkable documentary, Alive Inside, follows the founder of The Music and Memory Organization, and this award winning film is now available on Netflix.  More information can be found on the website:  www.musicandmemory.org.

Please Ask Katrina about how you can provide Music and Memory to your loved one who lives at home or in a community that does not offer the Music and Memory Organization tools.  You may also Ask Katrina on how you can become a part of this by volunteering or fundraising or on how you can book a Gospel to Go program.

Elderly Client Did Not Realize He Was A Veteran

I've recently been asked to make recommendations for an individual with limited resources on where to affordably live and remain active.

Originally, when we assessed him over 6 months ago, we were told that he was not a Veteran and therefore, we did not provide a resource for possible Veteran's assistance.

David (not his real name) raised a wonderful family and was a very loyal and devout husband and father.  He took wonderful care of his second wife who died from complications of Alzheimer's.  He visited her every day in the nursing home and brought joy not only to her, but to the other residents and staff.  He brought his therapy dog every day and the dog wore a little vest filled with treats for everyone to enjoy.

David receives two hours per day Monday through Friday for companionship and transportation services through Psalms Home Care Consulting.  The companionship services and transportation are really "on foot", and I provide those services--I am walking each day with this client.  He is effectively my personal trainer to help me get in better shape.  If he walks on his own, he stumbles sometimes and forgets to drink water and gets lost as he has some dementia.

We were walking recently and David would stop at every flag in the neighborhood and salute.  I commented how nice that was and very respectful to our country and to our veterans.  I then asked him if he had any personal special story or memories when he sees our United States flag. He told me that he learned to salute the flag from the Marines.  I then asked if he was in the military and he said he enlisted when he was 17 but was only in for maybe 4 to 6 months.

I asked David about his experience in the military.  He lightheartedly told me "I enlisted because I liked the uniform and thought it would attract the girls!"  He then became more serious and told me he was honorably discharged due to a hardship.  His father died and his mother did not have any income, so he returned home to take care of his family.  He would have loved to stay in the Marines and he still salutes every flag that he passes by.  He did not think of himself as a "Veteran" as he served a short time.

David meets the initial requirements of 90 days service.  David's son and I will be working with Veterans Home Care to determine possible available resources for this client to help him age with dignity. Psalms Home Care Consulting and Psalms Senior Care Homes both are able to accept payment from the Veteran's Aid and Attendance program.  A spouse of a Veteran may also be eligible.

Ask Katrina if believe you may be eligible for some assistance through the Veteran's Aid and Attendance program and I will give you some resources to contact. 




Welcome to Ask Katrina!

Hi, I'm Katrina McPherson.

I am originally from Idaho and have lived in Texas since 2003.  I moved to Texas because the water is better and the people are more friendly.  So friendly in fact, that I was able to have children in Texas.  I am very blessed to have two beautiful smart daughters and they are learning my business of taking care of the aging population so they will know the proper way to take care of me!

I am a seasoned professional in the long-term care industry.  My experience from 1996 to 2015 has been focused on helping the elderly move out of their home into retirement communities--such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or continuing care retirement communities. 

I now have a wonderful opportunity as the Administrator for Psalms Home Care Consulting and Psalms Senior Care Homes to help individuals stay home or at least a personal care home versus persuading them to move out of their home.  I am fortunate to be able to love what I do and have a passion for helping our seniors or those in need.  I am able to use my education and experience to make a difference to the aging population.  I have a degree in Health Care Administration from Idaho State University and I keep my Nursing Home Administrator License current.  I also took many music classes in college and played in the flute choir in college.  Therapeutic music activities are encouraged and offered to our clients and to the community through Psalms Home Care Consulting and Psalms Senior Care Homes through outreach and partnerships.

I try to be a helpful resource and guide to those who ask me about what they should do for their aging loved one.  Feel free to Ask Katrina about where to turn or what to do with your aging loved one and if I don't know the answers, I can give you some helpful resources.  The stories that I will be sharing in my blog may be a situation that you can relate to and hopefully it can give you some tools to be able to navigate the confusing maze of whom to choose, whom to ask, where to turn, what to do, whom to trust, etc., etc. in caring for your loved one.