(Moving beyond the literal to explore the existential…)
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sk any health care administrator today to define the term transitions in care and chances are that he or she will have a lot to say. Although the phrase hasn’t reached Merriam-Webster’s radar yet, I have no doubt that it will.
The phrase often refers to the myriad transitions that older adults and their family caregivers make from one care setting to another. These include: home to hospital; hospital to home; hospital to rehab etc.
And research shows what family caregivers have known for a while: patients are vulnerable during these transitions; in part because the quality of their care is dependent upon how well one setting communicates with the other.
The Affordable Care Act that became law in March 2010 will shine a bright light on these transitions in the years ahead and that is a good thing.
But in my work with family caregivers over the last several years I’ve had the privilege of witnessing and helping families to cope with a different but equally significant and meaningful kind of transition in care.
I’m speaking of the figurative, existential transitions.
The ones that occur any time an illness, injury or some yet undefined, nebulous change in the health of one person requires another to assume a different role. These are the transitions that happen quietly, subtly and yet pack a considerable emotional punch; in one fell swoop they forever alter the relationship that was.
One client taught me more about these transitions that occur within relationships than any other. I’d like to share her story with you over the next several weeks and talk a bit more about the five transitions that she experienced.
I’ll call her Joan but she is really every caregiver. And by sharing her experience, I hope you will be inspired to share yours.
Transition #1: From Spouse to Family Caregiver
Transition # 2: From Go-It Alone to Asking for Help
Transition #3: From Private Person to 7-Eleven Manager
Transition #4: From Family Caregiver to Wound Care Nurse
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