BODY LANGUAGE

BODY LANGUAGE

"Carlos", seventy-two, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease just three years ago.  He has been married to "Rosa" for over forty years.  They have excellent family support.  Medicare requires that a nurse and a social worker be involved with each hospice case.  That nurse that accompanied me speaks Spanish, so the vast majority of the visit, I sat quietly nearby.  The nurse would update me about the patient and any needs the family might have, throughout the visit.

Being unable to understand the conversation, it became so obvious to me how powerful body language speaks.  What was so obvious was how much love embraced this couple.  

BODY LANGUAGE 

 

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 

just a little over three years ago. 

He has had a recent, downward decline 

whereby he is weaker, sleeping more 

                   and eating less. 

 

The hospice nurse and I went out to admit him. 

She is bilingual; speaking English and Spanish alike. 

The couple spoke no English; only Spanish; 

                   so, my role was inactive a lot. 

 

I wanted to relay attentiveness and a caring soul; 

so, my eye contact was directly on both of them. 

Body language is often much louder than words. 

I truly wanted them to feel hospice’s support. 

 

He sat quietly, next to her on the couch, 

fiddling with the blanket that kept him warm. 

She would occasionally pat him and rub his arm. 

Her body language so clearly speaking her love. 

 

I knew she was sharing stories about his life 

as her face so beautifully glowed with joy. 

She was talking about him before he became ill; 

letting the nurse know who he so truly was. 

 

It didn’t matter that I did not know what she was saying 

as her motions; her gestures; her glowing face; 

showed her constant, deepest love for him. 

Body language, for always and forever, 

will continually speak one’s truth.