Q: My grandmother is 87 years old. She is not well and was admitted into a long-term care facility two weeks ago because our family was no longer able to give her the support she needed when she was alone in her own home. We want the home to be as good as it can be for Granny but we are not certain what to do. Apart from a visit every now and then, we are lost. The employees in the facility seem capable of looking after her. They feed her and bathe her and get her into some of their daily activities. What can we do?
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A: I would encourage you to work with the staff as much as you can to help them where they could best use some support.
They feed and bathe her and get her into some social activities but long-term care facilities have perennial staff shortages and may need all the help you give them.
Don’t be afraid to call out a few bingo numbers during an afternoon social event or occasionally help Granny settle down for the night.
I have no doubt that the long-term care facility in which she is living has agreements with the local pastoral care association to guide the residents through regular services.
You can take her beyond those few moments in pastoral care and share with her life’s everyday joys from birds to rainbows.
Those few moments of joy may open spiritual doors for Granny and help her as she prepares for her final days.
