FJ Resident Profiles ~

Sarah has lived with mental illness her entire adult life and has been admitted to the state hospital repeatedly. Decades ago her family relationships were damaged by domestic violence and other charges being filed—against Her. In fact, she stabbed two of her own children and tried twice to set her house on fire. Eventually, she lost custody of her kids. She has been evicted from several residences. 

Sarah has done well at Fostoria Junction because the NPI team is engaged, attentive and well trained. Employees are adept at preventing and diffusing communication problems that stem from triangulation and aggressive behavior. They watch over Sarah and other residents who are likely to get lost if allowed to leave the site unaccompanied.

Today the Northwest Ohio native is in her 60’s. She benefits from the special attention staff pays to her dietary needs. As meal coordinators staff understands the importance of nutrition and health issues. For Sarah that means choosing foods that work with her diabetes as well as the personal diet plan recommended by her physician. She plays the organ and enjoys a good card game.

Luke has been hospitalized on many occasions and has a history of using alcohol, LSD and cocaine. Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, his delusions are often spiritual in nature. In 1980 he castrated himself after reading a Bible passage, “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out” (Mark 9:47). The young man was hospitalized and left his university at that time. Later he would try to remove his eye in a Dayton hospital for the same reason. He developed a cycle of moving from group homes to state hospitals and back again. Another point of crisis would come in 1995 with the death of his father. He was institutionalized annually after that until 2000. Then he began a four-year, court ordered hospital stay after mutilating a corpse in a funeral home. Again he believed his action had spiritual value.

At Fostoria Junction Luke has remained sober and healthy. One important factor is that Luke feels safe with the team at Fostoria Junction and responds well to their interventions. Injections and dissolvable pills keep his medication levels on track and help avoid noncompliance. His menus always follow the diet recommended by his physician. Staff escorts him one-on-one when he leaves the site. He enjoys listening to music.

At Fostoria Junction Bob has experienced active psychosis, incontinence, constipation and lapses in personal hygiene. With assistance and gentle prompts from staff, however, these challenges have become manageable. Staff works with Bob to ensure he takes his medication. They monitor his intake of liquids in the evening, monitor his bowel movements and make sure his meals follow the diet suggested by his physician.  

Previously Bob had been bouncing back and forth between a group home and the state hospital. Now his behavior is charted each day to help identify trends and triggers that lead to difficulty. Data is shared with Bob’s psychiatrist to facilitate the best possible recovery. He is the type of resident who would easily be lost in a group home. Without daily prompts and close attention to his health needs, this could prove disastrous.

Today he is better than ever. After years without any encouragement he began drawing, reviving a true talent for cartooning and sketching. His work is used to decorate some of the common spaces at Fostoria Junction as well as his own apartment.