Keeping Gerald Healthy at Home After a Spinal Cord Infection
Summary
An incident with a BMX bike left Gerald with an incomplete C4 spinal injury 20 years ago and he was recently admitted to hospital with a pressure sore infection. HomeWise Health helped him avoid re-hospitalisation, improve his nutrition for repair of the skin injury and get the support for his care and mobility that he needed.
Situation
Gerald had recently been hospitalized for an infection in a recurrent pressure sore when his physician called HomeWise. The physician felt that without ongoing clinical oversight and care Gerald was likely to be readmitted to the hospital. The next time, the infection might be even more severe.
Gerald lived in a converted garage behind his parent’s home, and his parents were struggling to care for him. He was using worn out and unsuitable equipment donated 20 years ago after the original injury. Gerald was underweight and reported feeling very isolated.
Challenges
When the HomeWise Clinical Care Manager, (CCM), a Registered Nurse, first met Gerald, he weighed 40kgs and had two pressure sores. His parents were desperate to find the right help for Gerald and wanted to modify the family van so he could go out more. Gerald and his family needed guidance to find the right help and clinical advice regarding his diet and wound care.
Additionally, Gerald expressed an interest in building his photography hobby into a business venture business and wanted more independence to be able to socialise more. He needed a plan for weight gain, support for activities of daily life and help accessing funding for ongoing care, equipment and modification of the van.
Outcomes
HomeWise implemented a daily care schedule to assist with bathing, position changes and and other daily activities. The CCM managed Gerald’s wound care and skin integrity issues with dressing changes and dietary changes.
Moreover, HomeWise assisted Gerald and his parents to apply for funding for care, equipment, Allied Health professionals including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nutritionist, and capital funding for equipment.
HomeWise assisted with advocating for the purchase of a new hospital bed and pressure relieving mattress, new tilting shower chair, electric wheelchair and modifications to the van so Gerald could develop his interest in photography .
HomeWise found a Physiotherapist and gym specialising in spinal injury to assist Gerald improve his daily function, and a massage therapy program to help with the aches and pains resulting from Gerald’s new physical activity.
During two months of care, Gerald did not return to the hospital and he began to gain weight and the pressure wounds healed. He recently won an award at a local photography exhibition. His new goal is to be able to enter a national photography competition.
