Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

• 8 • The Pinecone | April 2023 Congratulations to our CHAMPION of the Month RACHEL WARD Assistant Resident Programs Coordinator Rachel is a go getter! She comes in with a positive attitude ready to work every day. She is constantly seeking out feedback from residents to continually improve programming here at Kirby Pines. She goes above and beyond, taking care of all her duties in addition to helping wherever is needed. She does whatever she can to ensure the residents are always receiving the top quality services they deserve. Rachel is such an asset to our Kirby Pines family. - Allison Nolan, Resident Programs Director Describe Your Family: I am the only girl in the middle of four. I have a sweet niece who is fun loving. Describe yourself in five words: Kind, caring, silly, honest, loving What do you do for fun: Playing table top and online games. Hobbies: Journaling & playing flute. What is your favorite thing about your job: Meeting different people from all walks of life. Do you have a pet?: I have 3 cats and 3 dogs. What is your favorite food: Queso Dip & Chips. Favorite Song: Mr. Brightside by the Killers. What is something you are proud of: Being the first in my family to go to college. What would you like people to know about you: If you get me out of my shell, I can make you laugh. LIFE IS UNPREDICTABLE. ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE BEST ANDWORST. Recently, I had occasion to be admitted to one of our local hospitals with chest pain. As it turned out, I only had to stay overnight so that diagnostic tests might be completed. Returning home, I realized that I had been caught completely unprepared for a hospital stay ~~ even for overnight. So I began to prepare for any subsequent, unplanned emergent trip ~ be it to the hospital or to the other side of the state. The result: my GO BAG (I watch NCIS). First I went to Walmart and bought a small suitcase. I chose an 18” Pilot Bag. It has wheels and a pull handle. CONTENTS 1. Names and phone numbers of my doctors 2. A list of all medicine I take Note: I plan to take my daily meds in the 1 week boxes with me 3. I will take my purse ID cards Contact number of my family (son and daughter) Glasses Phone and charger 4. 2 changes of underwear 5. A toothbrush and small tube of tooth paste 6. A small comb, brush, hairpick and shower cap 7. Basic cosmetics (in small containers) 8. Warm pajamas, socks and light robe 9. Bible, devotional book, novel 10. 2 packets peanut butter crackers 11. About 5 -$1 bills or equivalent change (quarters) to go to Coke machine (if allowed to have food & drink) I suggest that if you use an assist device to walk - walker or cane - take it with you. (It could take 1-2 days for the hospital to arrange for you to have one of theirs). And while I amon the subject, should you be admitted to the hospital (any hospital), I highly recommend that you have an advocate with you most, if not all, the time. This person can help you hear and understand instructions and ask questions to clarify what is said. He or she can make sure you are as comfortable as possible. They should keep an eye out for your needs. (Hospitals these days seem to be short-handed. Sadly, it appears that attention to detail often is lacking.) So it frequently falls to the patient’s family or friends to pick up the slack. Twice in the past year, I have observed the patient’s call button placed far out of the patient’s reach. When a real need arose, there was no way to call for help. This information is not meant to frighten anyone but to help us to be be prepared before a need arises. Your patient advocate should also have his or her own GO BAG . Last words about the GO BAG. Keep it small. Keep it ready: Don’t borrow from it. Keep it accesible (so anyone can find it). On your way out to the hospital: Grab your purse with phone & charger, glasses. Etc. or wallet and your medication. Written by Resident, Anne Carter