This June marks the 10th anniversary of FootCare by Nurses, a Greenfield-based company I started that delivers in-home foot care to people who cannot get to the office due to age, infirmity, or injury. For years, I have been educating people about the importance of regular foot care and encouraging them to seek help if they can no longer tend their own feet. Today I peck at the keyboard with just one working arm, having broken the other while having fun in the woods, and I have a new understanding of what it means to need help and ask for it. It is humbling, brave, and difficult.
Normally, I can fly a plane, sail a boat, and ride a motorcycle, but right now, I can’t tie my shoes, or do up my pants. Bending over to pick things up has become a logistical challenge. I have had to ask strangers for help, and I am finding new ways to do things, but let’s be real, not being able to be independent is humbling. And to be honest, knowing all that I know has not made it easier for me to ask. Shame, embarrassment, self-doubt, and vulnerability creep in with the pain and loss of independence.
I am healthy, and the path to recovery looks promising. I will regain my independence, but for those people with disease processes that slowly erode capabilities, reliable help from those who are able to support, empower, and connect makes a huge difference in preserving independence and peace of mind.
Finding that help requires some introspection. What kind of help do you need? For how long will you need it? Can your home accommodate live-in care? What can friends and neighbors do, and what help requires a professional? It can seem overwhelming. For people 60 and older, contacting their local senior center is a good first step. These organizations have newsletters and referral lists. You might be directed to an Elder Care Access Point in your area where consultants and case workers can assess your needs. Some deliver Meals on Wheels; some maintain a referral list of services and supply equipment such as hospital beds, walkers or crutches.
In Franklin County, call Lifepath. In your community, you might have a “neighbors” group. These local all-volunteer organizations provide rides, help with simple tasks and more with one simple call to a dispatcher. Family, friends and neighbors are often just waiting to be asked and will be grateful for the opportunity make your life a little bit easier.
If you have a terminal illness, hospice and palliative care professionals can help with daily tasks, ease pain and allow other family members some respite. Make your request as specific as possible. Do you need help with groceries, bathing, laundry, or keeping track of your medications? Maybe you have a dog that needs walking. Perhaps a spouse needs some time for appointments and doesn’t want to leave you alone. That’s a perfect time for a friend or family member to visit.
During the first challenging and painful week after my accident, I stayed with my brother. I am grateful for the gift of his time and the opportunity for deep connection. When my arm has healed, I will once again care for people by tending to their feet in a compassionate way, and I will do this work with a new understanding of the challenges people face when they can’t care for themselves. Every single patient who picks up the phone to schedule a visit is taking a brave and vital step towards health and well-being.
Kate Clayton-Jones lives in Greenfield.