Re: Amy I'd love some suggestions!
Posted by Amy C on October 30, 1999 at 17:29:07:
In Reply to: Amy I'd love some suggestions! posted by MyST on October 29, 1999 at 19:04:40:
The woman who prompted my original post was a bit of a hippie. She
had draped her bed and walls with brightly colored Indian scarves and
such. But hers was more an environment of celebration, and she was
not really sick, just recovering from birth, so she did not have
machines to worry about.
If your aunt is toxic and scared, I would expect her to regress to a
more child like state of mind. She would probably respond more to
very primal, comforting cues. Familiar things, like a blanket from
home or the faces of loved ones. Try to think of the things that
would light up her face when she was well. Grandchildren (or pictures
of them) often distract older people from their own suffering, if she
has any. Also, if she is religious, religious symbols might make her
feel comforted and protected. A visit or message from members of her
church could really lift her spirits if she has one, and if you have
any way of contacting them. I have seen religious faith pull people
through things I would never have expected them to survive. And
things to help remind her of the pleasures of life - for example, if
she is a gardener, you could send her a calendar of flowers, the pages
of which could be put up all around the room to cheer up the
environment and make it less sterile. Music, if she enjoys it, can
also reach people in the deepest states of disorientation. Take your
cues from what she surrounds herself with at home (pets, plants, baby
pictures, quilts?). Help remind her of who she is (besides "the liver
failure in room 21").
Flat images or fabric which can be taped to the walls, and bedding
that reminds her of home are things that should not interfere with her
care or equipment. Also the little comforts of home that sometimes
get forgotten amid all the medicine, like lotion for her hands, lip
balm or lozenges to keep her mouth from feeling dry, are nice things
to send if you can't be there.