Elderly mother got excellent care

We recently had our 94-yearold mother Natalina Carlesimo admitted to Erie Shores HealthCare for pneumonia. Having lived in Windsor for 65 years before recently moving to Amherstburg, we were a bit out of sorts when ambulance services said they would transport her to Leamington.

The logistics necessary to co-ordinate daily visiting and family care were a concern because her children and grandchildren are scattered throughout Amherstburg, Windsor and Macomb, Mich. And to be honest, we were also concerned with the quality of care she would receive at a smaller county facility. Since the day she was admitted, our health-care concerns proved needless. She was first placed in a private room near a nurses station. She was twice moved to rooms more accommodating as her condition improved. The nursing staff in all three rooms were wonderful. The daily administering of meds, checking vitals, answering patient room calls, assisting in lavatory functions, ensuring hygiene, watching geriatric issues, and recording info were all performed on a timely basis. But above all, their compassionate, gentle nature more than once calmed the anxieties of a 94-year-old woman unused to a prolonged hospital stay.

The support staff of nurse practitioner, respiratory therapists, physiotherapists and dietitian were always accessible and willing to address concerns.

The dietitian had breakfast with my mother to personally assess her dysphasia and dental issues, and to better facilitate nutrition intake. The physiotherapist provided a list of functions to continue muscle movement therapy. Even the security staff helped me get to my mother’s room. The volunteers made sure patients were not lonely or neglected.

The bottom line is this smaller county hospital, Erie Shores HealthCare, was thorough in the assessment and treatment of my mother. Hopefully for the sake of the community it continues to operate and serve our health needs. Mary Carlesimo, Amherstburg