Watching my husband’s rapid physical and mental health decline into a boundless abyss these past FIVE years has been the most daunting period in my family’s life. It felt like drowning without a life-jacket or a Rescuer in sight! A man who jogged six miles every morning and was a marathon swimmer in the past, but couldno longer walk a few feet without falling, and not remembering he needs to use his walker with every step he takes, is horrifying and exacerbating to watch as a professional nurse.
The many frequent 911 calls, the ER visits, hospital admissions followed by admissions to various Rehabilitation Facilities, which discharged him home with more injuries, brought more desperate chaotic challenges into our already troubled lives, but we pressed on one moment at a time as our day’s obligations became longer and tougher. The episodic home physical therapy provided 2 hours of respite time weekly, but the unchanged struggle to care for him continued every moment in each day for my daughters and me.
A recent social worker’s home visit, clearly identified the un-sustainability of our situational options, which led to us exploring alternatives to long-term care for my husband in a dignified, safe, and sustainable environment. Prior to our crucial need for alternative placement for my husband, my goddaughter had engaged me to investigate the Vibrant Aging Community Center (VACC) in Winneba she was considering for her dad to give her mom a respite break from dad’s protracted total daily care. So, I had researched and received very encouraging testimonials about VACC, and had given my goddaughter two thumbs-up on her plan. Little did I know that VACC would be an answer to my own prayers as my family and I were faced with an obligation to place my husband in a skilled nursing facility as he was no longer safe at home. But the past horrid Rehabilitation facilities’ experiences overseas impelled us to look to VACC for a resolution. So, I reached out to Thomas, the Administrative Associate at VACC, for further information on the facility and their admission protocols. After expressing interest in VACC, Thomas then had Dr. Dwamena, VACC CEO, reach out to me with the historical account of the facility, its mission and vision, and what it provides to its clientele/residents. The detailed information and responses to my questions and concerns addressed by Dr. Dwamena highlighted for me a DREAM skilled care facility that truly cared for its residents. Yet, the past Skilled-Care Facilities’ substandard experiences made me skeptical to trust all the glowing information shared with me about VACC, and I needed personal validation of the branded healthcare services VACC provides. Accordingly, I submitted an application with all the required medical information to VACC and waited anxiously for their response.
Upon acceptance, Ms. Grace Ansah-Antwi, the Nurse Manager called me to garner more meticulously detailed health needs assessment to create a Care-Plan for my husband, WOW! Such was above and beyond expectations of any and all the healthcare facilities I have worked in, and/or, experienced, as a professional nurse and a family member of a patient in any overseas healthcare facility —I was mesmerized and more motivated to engage VACC in my husband’s long-term care for his dignity, safety and healing!
Hence, on the admission day, we arrived at VACC after a protracted 4-hour trip from Accra to Winneba to a warm welcome by Thomas, Grace and the entire VACC team. My first impression of the VACC facility was more of an Exquisite Resort Center than a traditional healthcare facility for seniors, aka Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation facility overseas. It is clean with fully equipped spacious private room for every Resident, including amenities and programs designed to inclusively and socially engage the Residents…A GREAT HEALING APPROACH TO ISOLATIONISM!
After completing the admission’s paperwork and settling my husband to his room called “Opal,” as each room is intentionally named for a GEM, denoting that every senior adult is considered a GEM at VACC, Grace examined my husband, reviewed and updated his tailored Care-Plan from head to toe to include his and our daughter’s input and observation. Such is another impressive show of dedicated personalized care precision! We were also introduced to the entire staff, Residents, and given a tour of the beautiful facility.
In summary, our choice of VACC to serve this crucial family healthcare need was pre-orchestrated by God through my goddaughter as an answer to our prayers for guidance. And, the decision for engaging VACC to provide care for my husband is the BEST and the FINEST decision for him and the family!
Should I ever need such services for myself, I’ll choose VACC… !!!
SO, THANK YOU DR. DWAMENA & ASSOCIATES, THOMAS, GRACE AND THE ENTIRE VACC TEAM F0R REALIZING THIS OUTSTADNDING DREAM FACILITY FOR US ALL! YOU SERVE HUMANITY WITH DISTINCTION EVERYDAY!! MAY GOD’S BLESSINGS ABOUND IN YOUR LIVES ALWAYS!!!
Testimony from a Resident’s Spouse