Claudia was an angel to our family. My mother was on her floor for 4 days from a punctured lung. Mom came into the hospital very malnourished and weak. She had given up long before she fell and punctured her lung. Claudia was patient, yet firm, with a woman who had given up.
She was the only one who could get Mom to take even a few bites of food off of her tray. Claudia was very clear and honest with our family when we needed assistance and advice. Kindness and grace were always in her answers, no matter how hard those answers were to hear. Claudia was the first to notice some paralysis on the second day of Mom's stay. She was diligent in her assessment and proactive in Mom's care until a stroke could be confirmed. She wanted to prevent choking and aspirating before we ever knew that Mom's swallowing had been compromised.
Claudia was proactive in preventing bed sores on my mom. She was diligent that her CNAs check the pads often just to be sure they weren't rolling up on Mom's tiny frame.
I was with Claudia and my father when she had to speak with Dad about a DNR. Mom's stroke was major, she was 80, she was paralyzed and she only weighed 74 pounds. Claudia explained to my dad, and as he wept she held his hand and waited patiently for his answer. I saw tears in her eyes as she hugged my dad, for his sorrow was deep.
Mom's condition worsened. She went to the ICU and from there comfort care. The day she was moved to comfort care was Valentine's Day. I had some cookies made by my grandson and I took one dozen to the 3rd floor to Claudia. I had to wait several minutes for her. She was in a room with the mother of a special needs man who was ill. Claudia was patiently listening to this mother as she shared her fears and concerns to Claudia. I could not hear what was being said, but I knew Claudia was offering the same patience, kindness, grace, diligence she showed my family. I know this young man would receive the same care my mother and our family received from Claudia.