Testimonials and Collected Data
Two separate Skype interviews were held, one with an early Alzheimer's patient who was a resident of an Alzheimer's SCU, and one with an elderly woman who resided in a nursing home that was not specialized to tailor to a specific area of geriatric care. The identities and names of these participants will be kept anonymous to protect the their privacy, as well as the privacy of their respective facilities. The corresponding transcripts of each interview can be found below.
Skype Interview between myself (M) and an Alzheimer's SCU Resident (SCU)
M: Hello [SCU], thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me.
SCU: It's my pleasure! It's always good to get a break from my routine.
M: Very true! If it's okay, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the specialty care unit in which you stay.
SCU: Of course - ask away!
M: I guess my first question is what does your average day look like in your SCU?
SCU: Well first I wake up, and my nurse usually hands me my first round of medications. I take those, get help showering, and then head to breakfast with the other patients. Usually I just sit, um, wherever there is space. I don't mind the food here but my medication affects my sense of taste so for all I know, the food might be terrible! Then after breakfast there is usually an organized activity of some sort. It's different every day which I can't really keep track of but I just ask a nearby employee what the activity is if I can't remember that day. Then we eat lunch...and I like to take a nap afterwards for a few hours. After I wake up there might be another activity or family comes to visit; sorry but it's hard for me to remember which one. I actually just got out of a bingo game - but no luck! I didn't even come close to winning! But that's okay - I'll just try again next time. The winner gets a prize usually. Sometimes there are art activities as well but I'm much better at bingo. After those activities, we eat dinner and we have the option to have it brought to our room or to go to the dining hall. Usually I go to the dining hall because I like to talk to people even if the conversation is disjointed and confusing. After dinner I take my second round of medications and then am usually asleep by about 9:30.
M: Sounds busy! What is the environment of your SCU like?
SCU: Oh it's very nice! Always clean. There is always light coming in from the windows. As for the layout, my particular SCU is structured like a small town. There are different wings, or "neighborhoods." Each neighborhood has the same structure though, which makes it so that the patients with more severe or advanced Alzheimer's don't panic if they get lost and wander into the wrong wing by accident. So they feel comfortable. Hmm...what else do we have...oh! We also have a small barber shop and an ice cream parlor! Ice cream happens once a week and they have great flavors. Then there are generalized areas where the organized activities are held.
M: Wow, that's really great to hear that the SCUs are so thoughtfully designed to help the patients feel as comfortable as possible.
SCU: It truly is. I have a feeling that I'm going to appreciate it more as my disease progresses.
M: As for the employees, how do you evaluate their level of care?
SCU: Each employee is different. There's always going to be ones that truly understand what we are going through, and they're the ones that treat us better....a little kinder. I have gotten close to a few of them because I am used to seeing them regularly, every day. They are never without smiles and are patient, always patient and caring. At the same time, there are going to be employees who make it obvious that this is nothing more than a job for them. Always watching the clock...inattentive...because it's obvious they want to leave and go home. Probably have little concern for us. Unfortunately I have witnessed how some of those employees treat the patients whose diseases are more advanced. They are more dismissive of them. It makes me nervous and upset that they think they can get away with it. They are dismissive of their problems and concerns. But these employees are the exception because most of our nurses and staff are more patient.
M: That's interesting that the quality of care within one facility is so variant!
SCU: It truly is, but it's something that I've observed in all workplace environments. Even when I was working before I retired. Similar things.
M: Very true. Well, [SCU] that's about all the questions I have for you! Thank you once again, so much, for taking the time to speak with me! I will let you know how my project turns out.
SCU: Absolutely no problem! If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact me again.
M: Will do! Thanks again.
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Skype Interview between myself (M) and a resident of a nursing home (NH)
M: Hello, (NH)! Thank you for doing this Skype interview with me!
NH: Don't even think about it! I didn't have much going on today as it was.
M: Great! Should we get started?
NH: Yes, lets.
M: My first question is what does an average day look like for you, as a resident of a nursing home?
NH: I wake up around 8 am and eat breakfast with some friends that I've made here. Then I take my meds and chat with my friends, maybe play some cards. Mornings is when visitation can happen too, so depending on how busy my family is, they'll come visit if they have time. But the visitation policy is pretty open. Families can come and go as they please. Lunch is after that, and then there is a choice of activities everyday. It varies but its stuff like charades, cards, arts, sometimes they put on a movie.....stuff like that. Usually they offer two choices a day. Then dinner happens, and we usually drink tea after that until we get too tired to stay awake! Then it's bedtime for us.
M: Wow, looks like there's a lot of freedom in your home!
NH: There is in this one, but one of my best friends lives in another home nearby and she says their days are unbelievably structured. She doesn't like it too much so I'm trying to convince her to come join me!
M: I hope she switches! Now for my next question - what is the overall environment of your nursing home like?
NH: Most people are in good moods on average! The rooms are nice and maintenance comes around pretty often so it's clean. The staff is always friendly and kind and get to know each resident on a personal level. They remember our names and our likes and dislikes. I have never yet felt neglected or unimportant in this environment!
M: That's interesting! Overall, how do you evaluate your quality of care?
NH: Like I said, the staff is absolutely wonderful. They bring a breath of fresh air and are always talkative. Not only are they a pleasure to be around, but they are attentive and gentle when it comes to handling us.
M: That sounds great! I'm glad you get to spend time in a facility that you love so much!
NH: Me too! My family and I made a good choice when we selected this facility.
M: That's awesome to hear. I'm glad you're happy with your choice! Well, I'm all out of questions for now! Thank you so much for letting me interview you! I really appreciate it.
NH: Sure thing, let me know how your project turns out.
M: Will do! Thank you so much again!
Skype Interview between myself (M) and an Alzheimer's SCU Resident (SCU)
M: Hello [SCU], thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me.
SCU: It's my pleasure! It's always good to get a break from my routine.
M: Very true! If it's okay, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the specialty care unit in which you stay.
SCU: Of course - ask away!
M: I guess my first question is what does your average day look like in your SCU?
SCU: Well first I wake up, and my nurse usually hands me my first round of medications. I take those, get help showering, and then head to breakfast with the other patients. Usually I just sit, um, wherever there is space. I don't mind the food here but my medication affects my sense of taste so for all I know, the food might be terrible! Then after breakfast there is usually an organized activity of some sort. It's different every day which I can't really keep track of but I just ask a nearby employee what the activity is if I can't remember that day. Then we eat lunch...and I like to take a nap afterwards for a few hours. After I wake up there might be another activity or family comes to visit; sorry but it's hard for me to remember which one. I actually just got out of a bingo game - but no luck! I didn't even come close to winning! But that's okay - I'll just try again next time. The winner gets a prize usually. Sometimes there are art activities as well but I'm much better at bingo. After those activities, we eat dinner and we have the option to have it brought to our room or to go to the dining hall. Usually I go to the dining hall because I like to talk to people even if the conversation is disjointed and confusing. After dinner I take my second round of medications and then am usually asleep by about 9:30.
M: Sounds busy! What is the environment of your SCU like?
SCU: Oh it's very nice! Always clean. There is always light coming in from the windows. As for the layout, my particular SCU is structured like a small town. There are different wings, or "neighborhoods." Each neighborhood has the same structure though, which makes it so that the patients with more severe or advanced Alzheimer's don't panic if they get lost and wander into the wrong wing by accident. So they feel comfortable. Hmm...what else do we have...oh! We also have a small barber shop and an ice cream parlor! Ice cream happens once a week and they have great flavors. Then there are generalized areas where the organized activities are held.
M: Wow, that's really great to hear that the SCUs are so thoughtfully designed to help the patients feel as comfortable as possible.
SCU: It truly is. I have a feeling that I'm going to appreciate it more as my disease progresses.
M: As for the employees, how do you evaluate their level of care?
SCU: Each employee is different. There's always going to be ones that truly understand what we are going through, and they're the ones that treat us better....a little kinder. I have gotten close to a few of them because I am used to seeing them regularly, every day. They are never without smiles and are patient, always patient and caring. At the same time, there are going to be employees who make it obvious that this is nothing more than a job for them. Always watching the clock...inattentive...because it's obvious they want to leave and go home. Probably have little concern for us. Unfortunately I have witnessed how some of those employees treat the patients whose diseases are more advanced. They are more dismissive of them. It makes me nervous and upset that they think they can get away with it. They are dismissive of their problems and concerns. But these employees are the exception because most of our nurses and staff are more patient.
M: That's interesting that the quality of care within one facility is so variant!
SCU: It truly is, but it's something that I've observed in all workplace environments. Even when I was working before I retired. Similar things.
M: Very true. Well, [SCU] that's about all the questions I have for you! Thank you once again, so much, for taking the time to speak with me! I will let you know how my project turns out.
SCU: Absolutely no problem! If you have more questions don't hesitate to contact me again.
M: Will do! Thanks again.
***************************************************************************
Skype Interview between myself (M) and a resident of a nursing home (NH)
M: Hello, (NH)! Thank you for doing this Skype interview with me!
NH: Don't even think about it! I didn't have much going on today as it was.
M: Great! Should we get started?
NH: Yes, lets.
M: My first question is what does an average day look like for you, as a resident of a nursing home?
NH: I wake up around 8 am and eat breakfast with some friends that I've made here. Then I take my meds and chat with my friends, maybe play some cards. Mornings is when visitation can happen too, so depending on how busy my family is, they'll come visit if they have time. But the visitation policy is pretty open. Families can come and go as they please. Lunch is after that, and then there is a choice of activities everyday. It varies but its stuff like charades, cards, arts, sometimes they put on a movie.....stuff like that. Usually they offer two choices a day. Then dinner happens, and we usually drink tea after that until we get too tired to stay awake! Then it's bedtime for us.
M: Wow, looks like there's a lot of freedom in your home!
NH: There is in this one, but one of my best friends lives in another home nearby and she says their days are unbelievably structured. She doesn't like it too much so I'm trying to convince her to come join me!
M: I hope she switches! Now for my next question - what is the overall environment of your nursing home like?
NH: Most people are in good moods on average! The rooms are nice and maintenance comes around pretty often so it's clean. The staff is always friendly and kind and get to know each resident on a personal level. They remember our names and our likes and dislikes. I have never yet felt neglected or unimportant in this environment!
M: That's interesting! Overall, how do you evaluate your quality of care?
NH: Like I said, the staff is absolutely wonderful. They bring a breath of fresh air and are always talkative. Not only are they a pleasure to be around, but they are attentive and gentle when it comes to handling us.
M: That sounds great! I'm glad you get to spend time in a facility that you love so much!
NH: Me too! My family and I made a good choice when we selected this facility.
M: That's awesome to hear. I'm glad you're happy with your choice! Well, I'm all out of questions for now! Thank you so much for letting me interview you! I really appreciate it.
NH: Sure thing, let me know how your project turns out.
M: Will do! Thank you so much again!