Nursing Home Musician and Patient Advocacy

When I asked the Lord, to help me become a great guitarist, good enough to perform in front of others, I heard a familiar bible quote.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I agreed. If I wanted the Lord to bless me, I had to do something first for Him. That’s how the nursing home musician hit me. I know I am not good enough, but I can serve. I’ll get better after each visit.  Nursing homes need me.  I’ve learned a lot over the past two years that I can share.

If you have to put your loved one in a nursing facility or long-term care place, you’ll need to be their advocate.  Home care services are people driven.  There are good people in the position and people that never should be allowed in the building. There are many things you have to consider before you leave them in the care of others.

I might be making a new position for myself as I entertain and perform at the nursing homes in the Washington, DC metro (DMV) area as a spy for people who want me to check on their person while I am there.

Here’s my top three priorities that a facility must have:

1. The staff has to be good.  They have to be clean, competent and respectful.  I have seen staff that is just there for a paycheck.  They had no business in the place.

2. The place must be safe.  It needs to be safe for the residents and staff.  I don’t want to see strange people walking around or getting past the front desk. I don’t want to hear that someone abused a resident either.  Ignoring a patient/resident is abuse too.  How would you like to be left alone for too long after you soiled yourself, fell, or are in pain?

3. The place must be clean.  It is really easy for varmints, and bugs to share the space with the person sharing the room with your loved one.  People leave food out, ants of all kinds find a way even in a clean place.

Without warning sometimes you have to be advocate for the person in a facility. That means you’ll be the one that has to set up medical appointments and find second opinions. You’ll see the discrepancies in the system at the worst time. The amount of money stuff cost is going to mess with your head. You’ll have to negotiate medical bills and reviewing them to ensure accuracy. You’ll be the only one to help your person find financial and legal resources.

Stuff happens too. Unexpected crap (conflicts) needs to be resolved between patients, insurance companies and the health care providers.  There is always something. I found out that doctors don’t talk to each other so you’ll need to help the communication with doctors, nurses, therapists, Aunt Lawdy and everybody on loved one’s behalf. 

I’ve had to keep notes of what happens during medical visits. I had to learn medical speak, read medical charts, bills, and documents. It’s no joke.

My wife is still recovering from four brain surgeries, two bouts with pneumonia, two blood clots and not dying from fungal meningitis afterwards.  She is home now, and our journey continues.  She can’t walk yet. But there was a time when she could not and we fed her through a G-tube. 

I believe God has given me the gift to learn how to play guitar even at this stage in my life to be a blessing to others. I am going to do just that. 

Nelson Mandela said this about music:

It has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice.  Such is the value of music.

Call me if you need me. This is my ministry.  Even if I am singing the blues.