Karin and client supervisor Brenda about the BBrain Family
The BBrain Family supports Karin during the day
Karin had a brain haemorrhage on December 31, 2012, which left her in a wheelchair. For this reason, Karin receives daily support at the Lotus cluster. Due to her brain injury, she has disorders in memory, attention, reasoning, illness awareness and insight, executive and visio-spatial functions. Her motor skills are also affected. She is a sociable woman who attaches great importance to her independence.
In August 2022, the client supervisor installed the Brain on Karin and practiced with Karin by clicking on each icon to show what they are intended for and what Karin can do with them. Brenda, client supervisor at Cluster Lotus, says:
'Karin indicates that the BBrain brings her peace of mind and provides assurance that she will not be forgotten.'
'In consultation with Karin, we started introducing a daily recurring appointment. Every evening she called the client supervisor around half past ten to ask if we would put her to bed. She did this because it gave her assurance that she would not be forgotten. Around that time, the supervisor is busy with work for other clients, which often made it difficult to answer the intercom. We have therefore chosen to have the BBrain notify us around 9:15 PM that the staff will come to put her to bed in fifteen minutes.
The first evenings she also called us via the intercom. She said that she did receive the notification, but she did nothing with it. When we asked her about that, she said 'Yes, how stupid that I should call anyway!'. Within three weeks it was in her system. She has now reached the point where she is waiting for the notification. As soon as she hears this, she turns off the TV, changes clothes and waits for a client supervisor for final assistance with ADL. Karin indicates that the BBrain brings her peace of mind and provides assurance that she will not be forgotten.'
"We now see that Karin drinks much more and therefore experiences much fewer (medical) complaints."
Another reason to use the BBrain was Karin's fluid intake. For medical reasons, it is very important for Karin to get enough fluid every day. Various things had already been tried by the supervisors, such as a filled jug that had to be empty at the end of the day. Or appoint and place a cup of water at every contact moment. Yet Karin often failed to get enough fluid.
'That is why we have introduced drink reminders on the BBrain. At regular intervals the BBrain indicates that it is time to drink a glass of water. After Karin got used to this, she started to act accordingly. We now see that Karin drinks much more and therefore experiences far fewer (medical) complaints,' says Brenda.
"It saves her waiting in the cold hallway and it saves the supervisor an extra moment of care because she no longer comes to the door unnecessarily."
A joint coffee drink and cooking moment is organized every day at the support point. Karin often showed up at the door more than half an hour early asking when the coffee or cooking time would start.
Brenda: ''Now that we have also added these moments to the BBrain Family, she comes downstairs after the message. It saves her waiting in the cold hallway and it saves the supervisor an extra moment of care because she no longer comes to the door unnecessarily."
Karin is very happy with the BBrain Family. She feels like she belongs now. Using a laptop did not work out so well and now she is brought into the 21st century, which is important to her. Her independence has increased, discussions about drinking enough have decreased and she is no longer waiting unnecessarily. The BBrain gives her more security and a feeling of control. The photos that her children share with her when they are away for the day and the photos she receives from the grandchildren make her very happy. With the BBrain she feels more involved in her network. The client supervisor sees many more possibilities and hopes that Karin's relatives will also increasingly use the BBrain and encourage Karin in this. All in all a success!