Honestly, I am not a big fan of doing home assessments. I prefer being in a traditional environment. On the other hand, I did enjoy the extra time it allotted me to connect with patients. I think I have a soft spot for geriatric patients specifically.
While I asked pertinent health related questions, performed a physical exam, and provided patient teaching, I was able to get to know the patient at a deeper level. They shared stories about their families and prior occupations. They elaborated on health care struggles and their appreciation for nurses. When I was done with the visit, I often lingered a little bit longer to hear more stories or if the patient insisted, on looking at pictures of their family or finished products of their current hobbies.
I appreciated the opportunity these home assessments allowed me to see life from a different perspective. There were times of sadness when I met a 90+ year old patient who lived alone and told me he did not have any living relatives or friends. There were occasions where I laughed hysterically as an elderly couple in their 80’s (in great health condition) made jokes about recovering from colon cancer, skin cancer, and even eye cancer. There were moments of joy to see a patient’s daughter or grandson be involved in their parents/grandparent’s care. There were flashes of worry when I realized many seniors live in trailer homes and wondered what would happen to them if another hurricane came along to the south of Texas.
My favorite part of this assignment were my interactions with the patients. They reminded me how to appreciate life on a daily basis and those close to me. I also thought about my geriatric patients in Virginia. That I wish I had done a home visit for each of them because you learn so much about them that way. You discover what type of condition they live in and how much social support they truly have. Whether they need assistance at home or if they have an environment that will enable them to take their medications appropriately.
I think many healthcare professionals are reluctant to do home visits because patients may live in unsafe areas or live in unsanitary environments. But I believe it is essential to know our patients at this level in order to better understand them and provide them the best care.
At the end of some of my visits, the patients would say “I wish there was some way I would see you again.” That broke my heart, but also made me happy I was able to touch someone in such a brief encounter.
