Complementary Approach and Recommended Treatments: The Art of Wellness
At Maison d’Hérelle, residents and tenants benefit from our holistic approach to the therapeutic process. This includes the judicious use of natural and organic products to enhance their physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils, for example, are invaluable in boosting the immune system and alleviating common ailments such as the flu, insomnia, stress, and anxiety. This approach promotes physical relaxation and optimal mental health.
Once a week, residents and tenants have access to a soothing chair massage session, which also contributes to their overall well-being. Therapeutic touch is used to alleviate headaches, relieve muscular tension, and boost self-esteem. These therapeutic alternatives are provided with an unmistakable kindness, that seeks to evoke a deep sense of comfort and reassurance in each individual.
Homelessness and Care
Maison d’Hérelle primarily welcomes homeless people, of whom 5% are women and 95% are men. Most of them live in precarious conditions with fragile health. Our team has to adapt to their different lifestyles in order to administer antiretroviral drugs, which requires information and group workshops.
Approximately 72% of the residents have insufficient income, which exacerbates the housing crisis. Maison d’Hérelle provides housing and stabilizes HIV infection by promoting adherence to treatment. The goal is to achieve an undetectable viral load, in line with the HIV community response in Quebec.
HIV-Associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)
Some people with HIV/AIDS experience mild cognitive impairment or AIDS-related dementia. These disorders, such as difficulty performing tasks and mood swings, significantly affect daily life. Diagnosis is complex because symptoms can mimic depression or other mental health problems.
As a living environment, Maison d’Hérelle is well positioned to recognize these disorders in its residents. Signs such as forgetting to take medication or getting lost in the house may indicate the presence of such problems, in which case a specialist (psychiatrist and/or neuropsychologist) is called in for an assessment.
The diagnosis will guide drug treatment and support. Some antiretroviral medications are better at penetrating the blood-brain barrier, which may improve symptoms when adjusted. A directive approach may be necessary with people who have difficulty taking initiative, despite our policy of voluntary participation and empowerment.
End-of-Life Care: Understanding and Support
Caring for someone at the end of life is difficult. It’s essential to offer emotional and practical support and to understand the stages they are going through. Below are the steps advocated by Maison d’Hérelle and put into practice by our staff:
Understanding the stages of dying:
- Denial: denial of the situation, psychological protection.
- Anger: revolt against reality.
- Bargaining: attempts to reverse fate.
- Depression: emotional preparation for death.
- Acceptance: acceptance of impending death.
Help the person at the end of life:
-
Be present and reassuring.
-
Listen without judgment.
-
Help them express their feelings.
-
Be realistic and avoid false promises.
Caring for caregivers:
-
Recognize and talk about emotions.
-
Seek professional help.
-
Take time to process emotions.
Managing grief:
-
Critical phase: shock and intense emotions.
-
Crucial phase: breaking emotional bonds.
-
Creative phase: readjustment and learning.
At Maison d’Hérelle, we provide caring and attentive support during these delicate moments.
Community monitoring
Our Community Aftercare Program is essential to improving the quality of life of former residents. People living with HIV/AIDS need regular medical check-ups to monitor their health so that any potential complications can be quickly identified and treated. Our aftercare program monitors and promotes adherence to antiretroviral treatment, which is critical to controlling viral load, preventing drug resistance, and maintaining long-term health.
The program also addresses the psychological and emotional impacts of HIV/AIDS through psychosocial support, which provides opportunities for people to express their concerns and improve their mental well-being.
Our interventions help promote independence and self-management by providing the necessary skills and knowledge to enable individuals to actively participate in the management of their health condition.
In summary, Maison d’Hérelle’s Community Aftercare Program provides holistic aftercare, improves quality of life, and reduces the spread of the disease through better adherence to treatment and increased awareness in the community.