Once again we have reached Mother’s day. In a setting like a skilled nursing facility it can truely run the gambit of emotions for people.
Parties and activities
There are always different activities going on during the weekend. Between families having family parties to activities through the activity department there always seems to be something going on.
Family interactions
Frequently we have an increase in family visits that weekend. These can be mixes of small get togethers in the resident’s room, it could be outings at a family house, or even reserving a space in the SNF for a family get together.
Mixed bag of emotions
This holiday can easily be a mixed bag of emotions. This can be not only for the resident, but for family members as well.
There are times when family members do not visit very often for a multitude of reasons. It could be distance, other family responsibilities, or even health limitations.
These moments can be a moment of great joy for the resident as they get to see someone that they don’t see often. This can also lead into sadness when the visit needs to come to an end.
There is also the possibility of family friction with multiple family members attending at the same time.
How can Therapy support the resident?
It is important for us therapists to feel out how the resident is doing. We need to be extra attentive to what our resident is expressing. We need to be compassionate as well as empathetic to the current mental state of the resident.
This is true regardless of weather they are short term or long term residents. We need to be a distraction as well as a motivator to help them to stay on tract with their rehab to achieve their goals. We need to be as positive as possible to help stop a decline in function from any possible longer term effects of the visits.
Remember it is not only the Moms that can struggle
All too often we only think of the women in this situation. It is very possible that a man can be highly affected by Mother’s day.
It can be a source of sadness for some men as they might be remembering their own mother, or their spouse. They could very easily slide into some sad feelings with some grief of loves ones that are now gone. It is up to us to help be some support for them during this time.
Let’s also not forget staff members
This can also be a difficult holiday for the staff members working at the facility. They could be missing out on family time because of work. They could be missing their Mother or Grandmother that might not live near by or had previously passed away.
It is very important to remember that every one can and is affected in some capacity by a holiday. So please give people a moment. You never know what they might be going through.
For all the Moms out there…..Happy Mother’s Day. You are loved.
