There are opportunities in home care to make big differences in peoples’ lives with small acts. Today I saw a patient that was anxious because the sound on his television had stopped working. Anxiety has an effect on health and I saw this as something I needed to address.

The use of DVRs, sound bars, and satellite receivers has complicated television reception and it is not uncommon for these types of things to happen. When calling a cable / satellite provider, it inevitably requires trying some things with the equipment that our patients can’t do. They usually can’t get down behind the equipment. They can’t see to handle the bundle of cords that fall behind the set.   If they have to have a technician visit, it costs money that they may not be able to afford.

I was able to trouble-shoot through the situation while he watched with trepidation that I might “make it worse”. In the end, I was able to get the sound back on and it was wonderful to see the relief on his face.   Crisis averted! Solving his problem made my patient more comfortable addressing the exercises and tasks on my agenda for the day.