“You plant corn, you get corn.”
This is the southern version of “you reap what you sow”. A garden needs water, sunlight, and nutrients- just like our relationships and our business. Occasionally I have planted a vegetable that was labeled wrong at the nursery – sometimes it has been a pleasant surprise, other times NOT so much. No matter what, corn does not become broccoli.
“Only when a mosquito lands on your testicles, will you truly learn that there is always a way to solve a problem without using anger and violence.” – Confucius
In the past month, I have sometimes felt overwhelmed, angry, or even resentful both professionally and personally. I was searching for profound words to share for this month’s “nugget”. I may not have the exact equipment mentioned in the quote, but the context spoke to me, so I am sharing it with you. Sometimes- why overthink it?
“We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm. Some have yachts, some canoes, and some are drowning.”
– Adapted quote by Damian Barr
As I managed my own stress and anxiety, sometimes I do not show enough grace to others, and I can compare my burden to others. On my personal Facebook page, I recently posted an update following my husband’s surgery and many commented that it was “inspiring”. As much as I appreciated that- I am fortunate to have a great support system in place- that helps my boat weather the storm. You know what is really inspiring-offering help to others and admitting when we need help.
I wanted to share with you what I am being told by my teams, patients/families about Retirement Connection and CareAvailability.com.
As you know our time in the acute care hospital is limited by the pressures of progressing patients to transition to next level of care with an average length of stay of 4.5 days. This as you can imagine is very little time to meet and assess your patient, family, support systems, prior level of function, home support, medication and financial short comings etc.. Our team looks for every avenue available to make the work more fluid. We provide patients and families on campus the Retirement Connection booklets as they are well laid out and easy to navigate. We actually have folks who ASK US if we have a copy for reference while they sit in a room with their loved one. We love all the details you’ve added to the book at our request to ensure that we aren’t calling a facility that can’t meet the specific patient needs. WELL DONE!!!
When it’s not possible for them to be on campus or receive the tangible resource we direct them to your on line resource. We are so appreciative of your team’s creation of Care Availability.com as it allows us as a Regional Medical Center the ability to reach families who are often not within our community to provide them with this resource to view and select post-acute care options. They report the ease of use to research the appropriate level of care as well as your inclusion of Medicare.gov star ratings and finally they love any photos the facilities add to their listings to allow them the opportunity to visualize the facilities.
The one thing that EVERYONE….. not just my staff tell me every day…. Why can’t everyone update their availability? When they see weeks since last update they move on to the next facility. No one has the time to cold call every facility nor do they know that a Google search will provide them with as complete of a list as your booklet and online service provides.
Thank you for all you and your team do to assist case managers everywhere and most of all how your resources assist our patients/families. Because of your resources these folks can easily navigate what is often times a complex and unknown process.
In my job as an Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist I use resources in both the Retirement Connection print guide and web site. The information provided is important for the work I do. I love the fact that everything is laid out in a clear manner. I also refer colleagues to the Retirement Connection. Thanks for this vital community resource for the older adult population!
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. “ – Maya Angelou
When I see someone upset, I want to fix it for them or give advice. I find people don’t want my solutions, they prefer my empathy. Sometimes the best support is simply our time and a listening ear. Try to “feel it rather than fix it”
“Understand that you will be like those whom you surround yourself. Your environment is stronger than you are. “ – Chinese Proverb
It is often easier to get pulled into the negative, rather than to walk away or seek a positive. We hear gossip and frustration several times a day. Do you choose to participate in the negative, walk away, or find the silver lining? I want to find the silver lining- but often still having to work at it.
