Chris Brooks
January 2019
Chris
Brooks
,
RN
Emergency Department
Tri-Town Fox Hospital
Oneonta
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

Chris is the embodiment of a DAISY Nurse. I witnessed this firsthand when he worked in the nursing home, and as I saw him care for residents who were severely demented, and at the end of life. One particular encounter comes to mind as a gentleman was received back to the NH for end of life care. I witnessed Chris sing to him as he did his assessment. Knowing that this gentleman took pride in his appearance, Chris took the time to shave him, comb his hair, and give him a manicure and pedicure before his family arrived. He wanted to be sure that this man had dignity, even in this circumstance. His patience with residents with severe dementia was surely tested, but one would never see that when they observed how lovingly he treated them, and how his presence was able to calm them. As a staff member, Chris could always be counted on to stop what he was doing and offer help whenever needed, no matter what it involved.
In the nursing home, many of the residents do not have families in the area, and there are also those who do not have family. Chris treated every resident with love, respect, dignity, and compassion; making them feel as if they matter, and that there are people that value them. He was known to organize special events for the residents on his own time, such as birthday parties and entertainment, and he routinely sat and visited with residents to have a conversation. He has even bought clothes for residents in need when they didn't have anyone else to do this for them.
I have seen first-hand the genuine love and compassion that he has for each resident, and his ability to make them light up, simply by sitting down and asking them how their day is. I have seen him sing by the bedside of residents as they were passing away; holding their hands and offering them comfort at this most poignant time. He laughed with them, cried with them, and genuinely loved them. He brought light to the nursing home with his smile and infectious positivity. Please honor Chris for the impact that he had, and the example that he was for all of us in the nursing home. Thank you.