Child neurologist w/ professional and personal experience in elderly care
|
My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and I had the priceless chance to care for him once a week for 24 hours before he had to leave home to go into care housing. It was the last year where he had access to speech, albeit incoherently, and being the witness of the last outbursts of personality, of memories, of passions, is something that touched me deeply.
Having later trained during my medical residency in adult psychiatric wards with a high number of elderly patients whose illnesses overpower their autonomy or their sense of self, I set for myself a different goal - restoring dignity. Be it through light hearted conversation during potentially embarrassing tasks or immersing in the cultural references of their time... Or knowing when it's time for silence, when presence is enough, or excessive. I know how to perform my duties both unnoticeable or cheerful
Finally, my medical training especially in the field of neurology gives me an extra skillset in knowing what to expect or what to watch out for in patients with neurological impairments
... more
