My dad is 89 years old, and one morning at 3:00 a.m., my dad left the house and went for a walk. After walking about 3 miles, he fell, cutting his face and breaking his nose. A few minutes later, someone found him and brought him to a local hospital. He was very lucky that he survived with such minor injuries, but he was very scared that this had happened to him.

Our family was very worried, and we all thought this was a major turning point for my dad. On the following Monday, I called the geriatric neurology department to set up an appointment for my dad to see a specialist. The earliest appointment available was a month away. I was very concerned that this was too long to wait. Kim Fouche was the nurse I was talking to. She could sense that I was upset. She said there were a few things I could do while waiting. “Don't let him take long naps during the day, so he will sleep better at night, and have him tested for a UTI.”

She told me how the elderly respond to UTIs. I had never heard that before. I immediately called his PCP to set up a UTI test and brought him in for the test. At 5:00 a.m. the next morning, I saw on his MyChart that he tested positive for a UTI. He woke up at 6:00 a.m., and I told him about the UTI. We got him on antibiotics that day, and in a few days, he was truly back to normal. He stood up straight again, and when he saw the neighbor that morning, he said, "Joe is back!" He had been so scared about what was happening to him.

If it wasn't for Kim, it would have been days, weeks, and maybe a month before we found out at the doctor's appointment what was happening to him. Kim went above and beyond expectations. I had just called to make an appointment. She sensed my worry and went out of her way to help my dad. My dad and my whole family are sincerely grateful for Kim!