Adult with sensory sensitivity, age 45
A self-employed home care nurse arrives for a regular visit at the home of a sensory hypersensitive adult. Her usual manner (perfume, a strong voice, quick movements, her uniform) can trigger stress that lasts all day. A card handed over at the first visit, a scan before ringing the bell: she adjusts how she shows up, and builds a relationship that lasts.
This case applies to adults with sensory hypersensitivity (often associated with ASD, ADHD, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome) receiving recurring home nursing care.
The moment as it happens
A quiet street, a post-war building, a closed porch. The home care nurse arrives at 8:20am for a new patient's post-surgery dressing change. She rings the bell. The woman opens the door in a dressing gown, her gaze drops to the floor, she takes a step back as the nurse crosses the threshold.
The nurse realizes she pushed the door open too firmly, that she spoke loudly ("hello, it's the nurse"), and that she is wearing stronger perfume than usual to mask a cold. The woman hands her a card. She scans it. She learns that Christine is hypersensitive to smells, loud voices, and quick movements, that she cannot tolerate polyester uniforms (the rustling sound), that she needs each action announced 5 seconds in advance ("I'm going to lift your sleeve, is that ok?"), and that a dressing change usually takes 4 minutes for her without anxiety if the approach is calm.
She takes off her jacket, whispers "I'm going to remove your dressing", and waits for a nod. The visit takes 6 minutes instead of 4. She leaves with a relationship that will last.
- You write it
- The QR is in place
- The reader scans
- Understood, without explaining again
Where to place the QR code for this case
At home, the QR code is rare and discreet: a hypersensitive person doesn't want a sticker on the front door. A business card sized card in the coffee table drawer, next to the care bag the nurse opens on arrival. To be handed over at the first visit, in person, with a brief note.
Duplicate it with the family doctor (in the paper file), so that a colleague covering the weekend is briefed too. Duplicate it on the back of the health insurance card, in the wallet, for the rare occasions when the person has to go out.
Avoid visible stickers on the front door (public), on the mailbox (weather exposure), or on the fridge (too close, and not relevant to the nurse). Also avoid posters on the entryway wall: they lock the person into a "hypersensitive patient" role that plays out every day.
For nurse cover during time off, the shared file at the nursing practice can carry a link to the profile. The substitute nurse can prepare ahead of the first visit.
Pre-written text templates
The three templates below are written by the adult themselves. The tone is direct, without drama, using vocabulary that shows the person knows their condition better than the caregivers who visit.
For the "Overview" section
"Christine, 45 years old. Severe sensory hypersensitivity since childhood, worsened by chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed in 2019. Sensitive to strong smells (perfume, tobacco, furniture polish), loud voices, quick movements, and the sharp sound of synthetic fabrics. Lives alone, independent, receives home nursing care three times a week."
For the "How to help" section
"You can: speak in a low, calm voice, announce each action 5 seconds in advance, take off your jacket in the entryway if it smells of tobacco or perfume, put your things on the designated chair (not the sofa), ask me for a nod before each new physical contact, not open the curtains without checking with me first."
For the "What to avoid" section
"What to avoid: coming in wearing strong perfume (try going without, if possible), speaking loudly thinking it feels 'warm', making noise with rustling uniforms (cotton is better), rushing 'to avoid tiring me out' (the opposite actually tires me more), offering to put on background music (it adds to the load)."
Conditions related to this case
This case is based on sensory hypersensitivity in adults, often associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It also applies to autistic adults who live alone and receive regular care, and adults with chronic migraines triggered by sensory stimulation.
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View the caseThis situation is something you should not have to replay with every new person.
Every new school year, every new substitute, every appointment: you have to start all over again. myHandiQR puts an end to that. You write it once. You will no longer start from scratch at every meeting.