I was working in a county hospital where many patients
presented with a long history of life challenges prior to admission. One
patient had been without permanent housing. He survived a stroke, reclaiming
ambulation and most of his ADLs. He lived off the streets by fishing at a pier
and gathering scraps from restaurants. As part of OT we planned all of it-
traveled to the ocean, fished off the pier, returned to the hospital to clean,
prep and cook the fish. That was our lunch that day. He was proud to offer me
food! I helped him advocate to discharge to the “home he knew and wanted- the
streets. He was of sound mind to choose it and did not want a SNF or any other
options. He was grateful his autonomy was regarded with respect. I then knew
that patient-centered care starts and ends with the parameters the patient
sets. The feeling of restoring emotional and social independence as extensions
of functional independence was unforgettable!
By: Anonymous
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