Nursing aid shows unusual devotion to patients
Print Edition
Xiao Yurong, a 44-year-old nurse, has been working at the Putuo Social Nursing Home for more than 20 years. A native of Anhui Province, Xiao came to Shanghai in the late 1980s. Long dedicated to caring for the elderly, she has won wide praise from the 200 or so patients in the facility, where she is affectionately called “Xiao Xiao.”
Xiao, now director of the department of nursing, has received a lot of thank-you letters from patients and their families. Over the past 20 years she has won many honors and has met several local government heads.
“I didn’t expect to be recognized and encouraged by so many people around me,” says Xiao. “The smiles and trust of the elderly people have given me great encouragement. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to take good care of them.”
In 1994, Xiao started work at the Putuo Social Nursing Home, where she was tasked with caring for 28 elderly people with various diseases. It was common for her to work 24 hours straight on holidays because of a staff shortage.
Zhu Qin, director of the nursing home, praised Xiao for her efforts and perseverance in taking care of seniors.
“Despite hardships, Xiao remains very enthusiastic,” Zhu says. “She is also a hard-working student in nursing. She has kept learning from professional medical staff to improve her skills.”
Last year Xiao was appointed as director of the nursing department. In June 2014, a bereaved old man was found with symptoms of obnubilation, or a clouded mental state. Xiao spared no effort to get in touch with the old man’s guardian and send him to a local mental health center for treatment. The man later died and Xiao contacted the guardian to help make funeral arrangements.
In the 1990s, when microwave ovens were not common in China, Xiao came up with the idea of putting meals on top of a basin of hot water to keep them warm. It usually took her two hours to finish feeding the patients who were paralyzed. Only when this was done would she eat her own meal.
Xiao is the first to get to work in the morning and she always leaves late. Most of the patients she takes care of are unable to do basic tasks. Xiao has tried a lot of ways to relieve their constipation. She also helps them turn over every two hours to prevent bedsores.
Chen Qinglan, a mentally handicapped woman, had surgery for breast cancer in 2008. She was told she had three months to live because she was in the terminal stage. After returning to the nursing home, Xiao gave her special care and rehabilitation treatment. She also encouraged Chen to do some simple exercises every day. Under her care, Chen entered remission. Her family showed their gratitude by saying that the nursing home gave Chen a second life.
Xu Suzhen, an old woman with Alzheimer’s disease can hardly communicate. During nights she often makes noise. Xiao attaches much importance to her mood changes and plans an appropriate daily schedule for her to dine and rest. She often prepares the favorite snacks of her patients if their children are too busy to pay frequent visits.
In October, Xiao began to take senior nursing aid training lessons. She says that because of her relatively low education background she has to study harder to develop professional expertise. She also shares her experience with young nursing aids and encourages them to improve their skills.
Some families are eager to thank Xiao and have offered her money. Xiao declines such offers. If the family members really insist, she will accept the gift and use the money to buy things for her patients.
Xiao also attaches much importance to hospice care. She helps people to live well until they die. When a patient passes away at the nursing home she will help remove their garments, clean the body and dress them in shrouds. She says it is important for people to live and die respectfully.
In 2010, a 93-year-old woman Song Siguang died at the nursing home. Before her death, Xiao bid farewell to Song. She also spent lots of time cleaning her because she knew Song paid close attention to hygiene. Song’s family was touched by Xiao’s devotion and carefulness. They insisted on giving her 500 yuan (US$80) to express their gratitude. Xiao initially accepted the money but later gave it back, asking them to buy a basket of flowers for Song’s funeral.
Xiao says that although she only has a middle school education, her mother, a simple country woman, has had a strong influence on her life.
“My mother taught us to care and think about others rather than being self-centered,” she recalls. “When we were children she often asked us to take food or gifts to neighbors during the festivals.”
Ni Hui, director of the Civil Affairs Bureau of Putuo District, says that Xiao’s sincerity and dedication have impressed many people. She has also set a good example for others in the profession.
“We plan to launch a guidance station in our district where Xiao can share her expertise and experience with other nursing aids in the city,” adds Ni.
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