These hands: just imagine what they have done over the years and now show signs of aging.
These hands bathed me, dressed me, nursed me, washed, combed, and blew dry my hair. These hands paid bills, packed my lunch, laundered my clothes, and picked me up and held me when I was sad.
These hands took care of her dying mother, cared for her dying father, and now take care of her brother. These hands painted ceramic figurines in the 70s, held a tennis racket, covered me with sunscreen in the dog days of summer so I would not sunburn, held playing cards, bingo daubers, church missalettes, and the Eucharist during communion.
These hands cooked my meals, did the grocery shopping, and held my father’s hand as they walked down the street. These hands packed a tunneling wound, flushed a feeding tube, and gently caressed the painful extremity of a loved one.
These hands used one of the first microwaves, cell phones, and remote-controlled televisions. These hands cared for my daughter and my son, my niece, and my sister.
These hands effectively and efficiently organized medical records for 30+ years. These hands held mine in the darkest days in my life, and these hands prayed every day for everyone she could, but not herself.
These hands now have difficulty holding cups, pens, scissors, laundry basket handles, pot and pan handles, and the vacuum cleaner handle.
These hands have painful joints and a frozen thumb. These hands have crooked fingers, making typing slower and sometimes impossible.
These hands make it difficult to open jars, disposable water bottle caps, pick up small objects, and manage snaps and buttons.
These hands no longer look youthful. She says they look ugly, but I tell her that I think her hands are beautiful. The stories these hands could tell us if they could talk…. THESE hands!
Never underestimate the role an occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant can have on these hands. With their help, these hands can continue to write her story.
These hands…
For more information on what Occupational Therapy can do for your hands, please contact PEAK Senior living via phone (844-690-2330) or email (mhorn@fprehab.com).
Gina Elkins has over 27 years of Post-Acute Care experience not only as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant but also as a multi-site rehab operations manager. Gina holds a certification in Health Care Compliance and is an Officer of Healthcare Compliance, Certified. Gina serves as Functional Pathways’ Senior Director of Compliance and Regulatory Strategy, Privacy Officer.
This article is original content by Gina Elkins and may not be shared, modified, or reproduced without written consent of Gina Elkins gelkins@fprehab.com.