A sign of the times: Senior Healthcare Assistant gets creative to overcome PPE communication barrier
Catherine Steffens, a Marie Curie Senior Healthcare Assistant, from Tavistock, Devon, has been getting creative making hand-made signs to connect with a patient who relies on lip-reading to communicate.
Knowing that having to wear a face mask would make speaking to her patient Yvonne, 76 from Yelverton, almost impossible due to her hearing difficulties and reliance on lip-reading, Catherine has made a set of signs with reassuring phrases and questions written on them such as, “Would you like some water?”, “Are you comfortable?”, “You are not alone” and “I’m here with you”.
Catherine said: “My job often involves sensitive and highly emotional conversations. Showing kindness, compassion and empathy is not easy from behind a face mask.
“It’s vital we can clearly communicate with patients in order to care and support them properly. We need to know whether or not they are in any pain or discomfort or if they are having any side effects from medication, concerns or worries.
“Therefore, we need to be able to adapt, being creative whilst sticking to guidelines and prioritising both our own safety and the safety of those we are caring for.
“I have visited Yvonne several times before, so I knew she had difficulty hearing and relied heavily on lip-reading. Knowing this would be impossible with me wearing a face mask, I made the cue cards and they’ve been a great success.
“Going forward, this is now something my colleagues and I will keep in mind for any patients who have hearing difficulties.”
The simple yet effective signs have made a big difference to Yvonne and her husband, John, who have both expressed their appreciation for Catherine’s dedication, thoughts and effort.
John said: “We were delighted when Catherine suggested this simple but brilliant idea. The signs are clear to read and very helpful. It’s worked very well and makes a big difference.”
Catherine works for Marie Curie, a charity that provides end of life care and support to hundreds of people living with terminal illness across Devon each year.
Yvonne, who is living with heart failure, has been receiving support with night visits from Marie Curie since October 2019. Yvonne and John have two sons and five grandchildren and will be celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary in August.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness and concerned about Coronavirus, Marie Curie’s free Support Line team are ready to help with the information you need when you need it. Calls are free on 0800 090 2309*. You can also find more information on our website: mariecurie.org.uk/coronavirus
