I interviewed a patient in the lobby of the Our Lady of the Rosary Health Center of the Saint Joseph Health System (the patient requested to not be photographed):
Name of Patient: Rose (accompanied by her son Shawn)
Age: 72
Occupation: Retired (spends time reading, sewing, watching television, seeing her children)
Familial/Marital Status: Widowed. Rose does have four children. Her son typically helps her get to her appointments using his car on Monday afternoons when he is off from work.
Summary of Interview: Rose is an elderly, immobile patient in a wheelchair who typically goes to the health center once a month. Her son is a huge help to her as he has been taking her to all of her appointments over the past five years. Rose has chronic pain so it is important that she sees a doctor monthly in order to manage her pain and make any adjustments as needed.
Key Insights and Quotes:
While Rose has multiple children, she relies heavily on her son who supports her greatly. Without her son, she would have a much harder time getting to their appointments, especially because she is immobile. She works with the receptionist to schedule appointments almost exclusively on Monday afternoons if possible as that is the time of the week when her son if off work. Overall, while Rose is limited by her lack of mobility and time of the week when she can make it to the health center, Rose is able to keep up with her health. Rose is fortunate to have her son. Without her son, she would have a much harder time getting to her appointments.
“I come to Our Lady of the Rosary to feel better and reduce pain.”
“Buses are hard and cold. I wish that the bus was more comfortable.”
“I feel warm and safe in my son’s car. I really appreciate his help.”