J was dropped off by his mother in the ED right after his 18th birthday, so that he could possibly receive care that she did not think she could provide. Her goal was for him to receive resources that he so badly needed. On the day she dropped him off, she came in and brought personal items he would need for the facility.  She checked on him throughout his stay via the Behavioral Health team. J is considered “non-verbal.” He would bounce up and down on the stretcher, sit up abruptly, and then bang his head backward while yelling. His actions and tone of voice were perceived as a threat to harm himself, so he required special accommodations to keep him safe.

It was soon determined that he needed a more structured environment, so he was moved to an area where we could provide the best care.  While in this area, he got to know his caretakers and, more importantly, we got to know him. We soon found out that his actions and his tone of voice meant different things. We created a communication board with different pictures on it indicating different needs or requests (eat/drink/shower/TV/music/etc.). On most days, he would point to an item, and we would assist him with his request. We attempted to potty train him—some days, we were more successful than others. It was a daily challenge to make progress with his care. Over the course of his stay, the team spent good quality time with him. He was well cared for. He had zero skin redness and no skin breakdown whatsoever. Although we were not used to patients staying in our unit this long, the staff took him under their wings and made it comfortable for him.  We made a sign for his door with his name on it. We still often refer to this room as “J’s room.” We would take walks around the unit with him, sometimes even holding an associate’s hand. Other associates trimmed his beard, cut his nails, and helped with other hygiene needs. 

We worked tirelessly with the BH team in an effort to get him placed in a facility where he would get the resources he needed and in which he would thrive. Senior leadership was very supportive of our efforts and checked in frequently. 

There were days when it was difficult to care for J, not only physically but mentally. We thought we would all be so happy when placement was found, but instead, when he left us, there was not a dry eye in the house. We took pictures with him with his mom’s permission. We had all become so attached to J, and we soon found out that it was a privilege to care for J. He taught us how to care for someone less fortunate, and he left us being better caretakers than when he came in. What an honor to care for him and others who might come our way like him.