During the pandemic, countless individuals had to endure isolation in hospital wards without any physical contact from their loved ones. Sadly, many of these patients passed away feeling scared and alone. In Brazil, one of the hardest-hit countries, nurses devised a heartwarming solution to help ease the loneliness of these isolated patients. They created a fake hand that provided comfort and support during these challenging times.
The pandemic that gripped the world for the past couple of years was an incredibly trying time for many people. It involved the loss of loved ones without the opportunity to say a proper goodbye or be there by their side in their final moments. Brazil, being heavily affected, witnessed thousands of isolated patients who struggled with profound loneliness while battling for their lives.
In April 2021, Nurse Semei Araujo Cunha, working in Sao Paolo, witnessed firsthand the difficulties faced by her isolated patients. While trying to warm up a patient’s cold hands to improve circulation, she realized the importance of human touch and its reassuring comfort.
That’s when she learned about a technique developed by a nurse in Rio De Janeiro, which involved using surgical gloves. Cunha filled two surgical gloves with warm water, tied them together, and placed the patient’s hands between them. This not only helped improve circulation but also provided the patient with the comforting sensation of having someone hold their hand.
As social creatures, human touch plays a vital role in providing comfort and solace. From the moment we are born until the day we pass away, physical contact offers us a sense of security and support. A pat on the back, a warm hug, or simply holding someone’s hand can go a long way in providing comfort and reassurance.
Unfortunately, isolated patients during the pandemic were deprived of this basic human need. They suffered alone, and far too many of them passed away in isolation. The creation of the “fake hand,” often referred to as the “Hand of God,” helped many isolated patients feel as though they had someone by their side, holding their hand.
Nurse Cunha expressed the significance of this gesture, stating, “As we had an intubated patient, we decided to do it as a form of affection, stroking, humanizing, as if someone was taking her hand, and also to soften the extremities that were very cold, the hand was very cold. It is not enough to be professional. You have to be an empathetic human, letting the heart speak is good.”
The original idea of the fake hand came from Nurse Lidiane Melo in Rio. While caring for an isolated patient with low oxygen saturation levels and cold hands, she wanted to find a way to provide warmth without the risk of contamination. That’s when she decided to wrap the patient’s hand in two surgical gloves, creating a makeshift hand-holding experience.
When Lidiane shared her idea on social media, it quickly gained attention and went viral. Thousands of people praised the thoughtful gesture of the medical professionals, describing it as heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The thought of isolated patients suffering and dying alone resonated deeply with many.
Loneliness and social isolation have a significant impact on overall health and well-being. This holds true even when someone is sick and hospitalized. According to the National Institute on Aging, adults who experience loneliness or isolation are less healthy, have longer hospital stays, are more likely to be readmitted, and have a higher risk of premature death. Connection is crucial for human well-being and healing.
If you know someone who lives alone, take the time to reach out to them or pay them a visit. If you have the opportunity to visit someone in the hospital, go ahead as your presence could aid in their recovery. And if you find yourself living alone, make an effort to create human connections. Engage in group activities that interest you, set aside time each day to connect with friends and family, embrace technology to stay in touch, stay physically active, and consider adopting a pet for companionship. There are countless ways to get involved in your community and make meaningful connections that can uplift your spirit and improve your health!
