Becky Carpenter
July 2020
Becky
Carpenter
,
RN
Home Health
Good Samaritan Society
Sioux Falls
,
SD
United States

 

 

 

Becky stayed in the home and made calls to SNF facilities and found an opening the same day!
In January of this year, Becky, RN for our home health agency, arrived to complete a social visit for a client who had been referred from an acute hospital stay, returning home to stay with his son and daughter-in-law. When Becky arrived in the home, she found some less than optimal living conditions. The front door going into the home was broken, allowing cold and drifting snow to accumulate within the entryway. The family was distraught stating the propane tank was empty and the only source of heat was small space heaters in only a few rooms of the home. The family stated they had no money for propane but hoped within the week they would have access to some money. As Becky continued to assess the client/family, she discovered they didn't have adequate money for groceries either and didn't know how they would provide certain supplies to the client. Soon Becky realized the environment would not be optimal for the client to recover safely at home. Becky gently introduced the idea of having the client stay for a short stay at a local SNF until the family was able to make arrangements and get finances in order. The family agreed after some conversation that perhaps this was the best route, but didn't know where to start, or how to get the client anywhere as they had no money for gas in their vehicles even. Becky stayed in their home and made calls to SNF facilities and found an opening for the same day. She then made several calls until she was able to find community transportation that was able to transport the client safely in his wheelchair. Becky then helped the family make a list of items he would need at the nursing home, waited for the community bus to arrive and paid the small fee for transportation and before leaving gave the family $20.00 for gas to put in their vehicle so they could pack and bring their father's belongings to the nursing home. The family was so thankful and asked how they could find her to pay her back. Becky told the family she did not wish to be paid back and they should simply pay it forward when their situation improved. Becky called me directly after to report what she had done, as she knew it was or could be considered "crossing boundaries". She stated although she could be "in trouble" she couldn't as a Christian, nurse, and employee following our mission, leave this family without helping them. Becky frequently shows similar qualities when providing care and when dealing with co-workers. She shows genuine concern that overlays the responsibilities of her "job" and lives the mission of our Agency.