Gilbert Mata has an ear for listening and a gift for predicting the needs that my father had as a man with dementia. He took his time listening to my father struggle to speak, helping him express himself and to move physically throughout his stay. He connected with us and explained what was happening so that we understood the daily changes taking place and what steps were necessary to reach our goals and future discharge for my father.
My father had a tendency to want to leave each night. He expressed vigorous Sun-Downing, which concerned us all and took a tremendous amount of time from the nurses' schedule to manage a restless patient. Gilbert was patient with him and took care to explain to each shift the changing needs of my father, and also with us, each day as we arrived. He established clear expectations with us, and we felt comforted in a whirlwind situation very new to us and clouded by emotion.
His professionalism was displayed with the care he showed my father, with the communications to the nursing team on shift, and with us as he gave us the education that we could understand. His patience, willingness to connect, and gentle spirit gave my father a feeling of being a participant in the process of healing rather than being looked over.
Thank you, Gilbert Mata, for your compassion in your work, your love of people, and tending to my very impatient father as he struggled through this confusing and difficult time in his life. We were honored to have met you and appreciate you more than we can express.