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Mar 23, 2016 Reporting from Niles, MI
The Healing Power of Friendship - Helen Jackson
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/rehabilitation/our-rehab-patients-say-it-best/Detail/The-Healing-Power-of-Friendship/863357ad-c230-6723-add8-ff0000ca780f/
Mar 23, 2016
Mar 23, 2016
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
For Helen Jackson, the aides, nurses, and occupational therapists who visit her home are more than just caregivers – they're her friends. The Lakeland Homecare team that visits each week helps her live independently through p
The Healing Power of Friendship - Helen Jackson
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
.jpg?sfvrsn=46033081_0 "Helen Jackson")
The Healing Power of Friendship - Helen Jackson
Mar, 2016
For Helen Jackson, the aides, nurses, and occupational therapists who visit her home are more than just caregivers – they're her friends. The Lakeland Homecare team that visits each week helps her live independently through physical therapy, assistance with day-to-day tasks, education about her health, and lots of encouragement.
"She befriends them," said Angelia, Helen's daughter. "Their visits always seem like more fun than work. And, she feels better physically when they're here."
Helen's primary care provider prescribed homecare therapy after seeing her struggle to get around using a walker. With the help of her occupational therapist, Joe Carrizales, Helen is making noticeable progress.
"When the team comes out, we can see how much it helps," said Angelia. "They help her enjoy her exercises and it helps us be more proactive. She's walking a lot better now, and the swelling in her arm has gone down a lot. Joe sometimes even brings treats like candy to help make the exercises fun."
"Before homecare, I could only walk a few steps at a time," said Helen. "Now I can walk all the way to the bathroom on my own. Joe has also been exercising my shoulder to help it get better; now I can move it more."
Throughout her time with homecare, Helen's care team has also included Meagan Dahmer, RN; Autumn Baldwin, RN; and nurse's aides Bernice Jones and Faith Patrick.
"I can tell they care about me too," said Helen. "Faith even asked to visit three times each week instead of two, because she noticed my skin was getting dry. I told her, 'You just love me, don't you,' and she said, 'Yes I do; you're a nice lady.'"
To show appreciation for all that they do, Helen was inspired to create a "Wall of Friendship" to honor current and past members of her care team. Helen has a place on the wall for all of her homecare friends, and can name each nurse, aid, and occupational therapist that has helped her along the way.
"One day I just decided to put pictures on my walls, and I started taking pictures of Joe, Faith, Bernice, and Meagan," said Helen. "I love it – everyone coming to help me. They treat me so nice, and I always have my daughter waiting at the door to let them in."
Angelia added, "We got excited to make the friendship wall to honor those who help us the most. It's a win-win situation; mom enjoys their visits and they help her get better."