My good friend, recently a patient, was well cared for at Armitage House by the attentive, friendly staff. But my friend felt isolated from references to the outside world; what day/time it was, news about events in the town/world outside, and felt disoriented, bored and ‘incarcerated’.
For four weeks, my friend did not hear the radio, music, etc. for stimulation. Until my friend was mobile, they could not see TV. So I would arrive to find this normally vibrant person sitting by their bed and staring into space, ‘switching off’, and not motivated to do their exercise. My friend's roommates spoke of the same feeling. They all had iPads but could not get emails/photos from home or friends to feel in touch, as there is no Wifi!
Also, when assessments and progress are discussed, please don’t assume patients are hard of hearing and/or zoned out. My friend found all the ‘can’t do this, unable to manage that’ conversations demoralising and depressing, when my friend wanted encouragement and praise for the improvement they were striving for, however slight their progress.
My friend gradually shut down mentally and this was just brushed off as increasing dementia. It wasn’t! My friend's mind recovered dramatically when they came out. But being aged, my friend could well have lost it permanently. Is there no occupational therapist? Could WiFi be made available? Even just the day and date on the wall in the ward?
"Feeling isolated with no mental stimulation"
About: Wonthaggi Hospital / Armitage House Wonthaggi Hospital Armitage House Wonthaggi 3995
Posted by Steiffbear (as ),
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