By James Coburn, staff writer
Michaela Palmer’s quest to become a nurse sparked as a child.
“I grew up in a church. I’ve always had close ties to the elderly. I’ve always been very helpful, so I knew I wanted to be in healthcare where I could be around that age,” said Palmer, LPN and charge nurse in memory care at Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy, located in Edmond.
After high school she put her plan in action. Palmer said she had a good experience working at her own pace to earn her LPN license at Platt College in 2017. She plans to work toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in the spring of 2027. Bridges Health has a program to support employees to further their education.
She has been with Bridges Health since September. Her career has brought her a wealth of experience in acute care, long-term care, skilled, med/surg, and traveling. This is the first time she has served in memory care. And it’s awesome, Palmer said.
She connects with all age groups, she added.
“It touches my heart because you get to meet a totally different new person,” Palmer said. “But you get to know them as a person, learning new experiences together. Reteaching things — it’s a lot of love and care that you give. I especially love the loving part. They’re lovable back there. They like to be loved and reassured, That’s the best part of it. I get to love on them all day. And they have no filter, they say whatever they want.”
She acknowledges what they say when they speak of a departed loved one as if they are present. Palmer might say, ‘Hey, mom may be gone,’ or entertain where they are in that moment to avoid upsetting them.
It can be hard for somebody living with Alzheimer’s disease to reason. It makes them comfortable to think about their mom that day. So, she has learned to roll with it, Palmer said.
“Life is full of circles. Being a nurse has taught me that we go from the stage of needing to be taken care of as babies. And we end at the stage of needing to be taken care of as elderly,” she said. “It’s a beautiful cycle you get to see. And when you have someone dependent on you, it gives you confidence and motivation to give your best every day because you’re their lifeline.”
Music is one thing that residents living with dementia don’t forget, Palmer said, especially songs they heard when growing up. Many of the residents remember church songs.
They may forget their children; they may forget their spouse. But they can still sing Elvis and Tina Turner.
Memory care residents at Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy come from diverse backgrounds and ages. They include individuals 20-30 years younger than typical residents but live with the same issues as someone much older.
Palmer works during the day, a time for her to keep a steady routine flowing for her residents. This activity will help them to sleep at night and not to wander.
“Each day is different, but I try to keep it consistent and busy with activities, music, jokes, whatever we can do for them, dance for them. We’re pretty upbeat for them during the day,” Palmer continued.
New memory care residents are greeted in a manner based on their personality, Palmer said. Some people like to be left alone. Others want to be ‘bombarded’ with extra love. Palmer said some new residents want to go with the flow.
A lot of their histories come from their families. When families are unavailable nurses get to know them every day by observing their patients.
“Some are a little bit easier going than others. Someone who has a harder time, I try to sit and talk to them during admissions and try to get a feel for what they’re upset about, what their concerns are, if they’re angry. And depending on their response, I’ll address it accordingly,” she explained.
When a new memory care resident is angry, she may ask them if they’d like somebody to sit with them. Whenever necessary, she will explain the same things to them every day.
But if they’re easy going and laid-back, I introduce them to everybody in the unit,” Palmer said. “I tell them, ‘Hey guys, we’ve got a new family member.’ I may put on a welcome sign for them, give them extra hugs. When I come in, I tell them good morning. When I leave, I tell them goodnight — something that tells them that we love them, we’re going to take care of you, and you’re going to be safe.”
Nursing has taught Palmer quite a bit about being grateful for life.
“The blessings that we have — our legs, our lungs, our arms. It makes you appreciate what you have,” she said.
Michaela Palmer, LPN and charge nurse in memory care at Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy gives a lot of love to her residents as well as husband and their six daughters.
