Do’s and Don’ts
Leave it to the Mom to tell you how to act, right? Earlier this week I got a handout from the Physical Therapist with the Do’s and Don’ts when visiting. I think I can speak for the majority that we’re just doing what comes naturally, we’re winging it. We’ve never been through this before. Better late than never…
DO tell them who you are.
DO tell them what year, month and time of day it is.
DO NOT assume that you’re being repetitious.
DO tell them where they are.
DO tell them what happened (you were in an accident but you’re getting better)
DO NOT worry them about what might happen in the future.
DO hold their hand.
DO talk to them in a soft relaxing voice.
DO NOT do both at the same time.
DO play their favorite music.
DO list their favorite TV shows.
DO NOT play the TV or music longer that 15 minutes.
DO visit two at a time, one person talking at a time.
DO visit frequently.
DO NOT interact more than 5 minutes at a time.
DO present yourself in a calm, collected manner.
DO reassure them that they are getting better.
DO NOT ask questions about them in front of them or talk about them like they are not there.
DO NOT stay in the room if YOU are upset or if THEY appear aggitated or upset.
Michael is at the Rancho Los Amigos Level lll . Localized Response - He is waking up, will follow commands occasionaly and has start pulling at the tubing and lines connected to him. The next stage of recovery is Confused and Aggitated - The therapist said that through the next couple of stages, Mike can be easliy over stimulated. This is not good for the recovery process so these Do’s and Dont’s should help all of us, help Michael.
November 15th, 2007 at 2:58 pm Rae, that is awesome. Of course I was getting excited at flying out to California to visit him at Rancho Los Amigos. I do miss Southern California! See you and Mike soon.
Ron