Howard Falkinburg

Howard’s Morning Routine

As a caregiver for Howard, a resident with a spinal cord injury, each day presents a unique set of challenges and triumphs. Howard’s journey is marked by resilience and determination, and my role is to provide unwavering support and assistance in navigating the complexities of his condition. I will outline what a typical morning for Howard is from the view of a caregiver. 

1. Receive a phone call from Howard around 8 am during the week or 9-10 am on weekends.
2. Prepare Howard’s breakfast, lately high protein meals to promote wound healing. (Make sure to add seasoning)
3. Head into the room, usually greeted by music (genre varies)
4. Take off night braces and socks.
5. Assist with feeding while discussing latest Love is Blind updates. 
6. Prepare cath flushes (3 syringes – 60 mL each w/ acetic acid) and grab leg bag.
7. Proceed with cath flushes (10 ml in 5 ml back out; repeat until all 60 ml is in and slowly pull back x3). Attach leg bag. 
8. Rinse syringes and empty night bag. Add a cleaning solution to the night bag. 
9. Complete wound care at suprapubic cath site. 
10. Have Howard decide on clothing for the day. (Assisted by his personal stylist Jess) 
11. Assist in LB dressing and add hoyer sling underneath. 
12. Summon nearby worker to assist in hoyer transfer.
13. Transfer Howard to chair and make adjustments.
14. Assist with UB dressing. 
15. Summon Howard to the bathroom to complete oral care and skin care. (Assisted by his skin care specialist Jess) 
16. Complete stretching to assist with muscle stiffness. 
17. Complete breathing exercises in language of the day. 
18. Give Howard the gift of vision (glasses) and the gift of communication (phone).
19. Clean up the room by making the bed and putting any laundry away.
20. Fill Howard’s water bottle with” red stuff” (Crystal Light) or H20.
21. Evacuate the premises.

Howard’s spinal cord injury has reshaped his life, but it hasn’t dimmed his spirit. Throughout the day, my role extends far beyond the physical tasks of caregiving. I become his advocate and his source of encouragement. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of mobility or offering a listening ear during moments of frustration, I’m there, a constant support as he moves forward in his journey of recovery and adjustment.

Jessica “Guadalupe” Torres