[nursiemellie]

There are 2 residents in my nursing home who have been getting progressively intimate with each other. The man (joe) has a girlfriend whom he goes out on pass with every now and then. The lady (jane) was a new admission and ever since she's been here she and him have been talking and getting to know each other. In the beginning it was fine, they were just sitting next to each other and talking in the hallway or the day room. One day the CNA saw jane's hand on joe's leg while they were chatting. When joe was sent to the hospital jane became agitated and in a bad mood the whole shift (which i'm sure had something to do with missing joe). Now I saw Jane and Joe in Joe's room at night when i come onto my shift. LIke last night Joe was lyinig in bed and Jane had her head on Joe's abdomen and they were watching tv in his room! I know this has to stop before something bad happens (pregnancy, rape, abuse, fight with joe's sig. other etc). But i'm not sure how i should be documenting this behavior? Thats where i need help. Has anyone ever had resident's like this? What did you do about it and how was it documented?

Sorry it's quite lengthy!

[casi]

If they are both adults and competent to make decisions for themselves is there really anything that you can do to stop them from forming a relationship?

[Blee O'Myacin]

Originally Posted by nursiemellie

There are 2 residents in my nursing home who have been getting progressively intimate with each other. The man (joe) has a girlfriend whom he goes out on pass with every now and then. The lady (jane) was a new admission and ever since she's been here she and him have been talking and getting to know each other. In the beginning it was fine, they were just sitting next to each other and talking in the hallway or the day room. One day the CNA saw jane's hand on joe's leg while they were chatting. When joe was sent to the hospital jane became agitated and in a bad mood the whole shift (which i'm sure had something to do with missing joe). Now I saw Jane and Joe in Joe's room at night when i come onto my shift. LIke last night Joe was lyinig in bed and Jane had her head on Joe's abdomen and they were watching tv in his room! I know this has to stop before something bad happens (pregnancy, rape, abuse, fight with joe's sig. other etc). But i'm not sure how i should be documenting this behavior? Thats where i need help. Has anyone ever had resident's like this? What did you do about it and how was it documented?

Sorry it's quite lengthy!

Are you worried about a geriatric nursing home patient becomming pregnant? Not that age matters with regards to romantic relationships, but are these adults capable of consenting? If so, then facility P&P should be used regarding private time for these residents. If "Joe" is able to make the decision for himself to have a relationship outside his pre-existing one, it is not up to the nursing staff to police it. If this is a psychiatric care facility, I'm guessing that the P&P are pretty specific with regards to patient to patient contact.

Blee

[earle58]

i agree with the other posters.
furthermore, if both are mentally competent, i applaud them and would support them 100%.
another chance for love at this stage in life?
hallelujah!

leslie

[akanini]

I'm only a student but we have been taught that intimacy should be enjoyed at any age and we can't stop patients. Isn't this the case at the LTC facilities?

[elkpark]

I agree; unless there is some legal reason why they would not be free to make their own choices/decisions, it's not really anyone else's business.

(I hope "Joe" can handle juggling two lady friends!)

[NancyNurse08]

In agreement with the others.

[Aprilhere]

Ditto everyone else. Not only is it NOT your job to stop it...it IS your job to provide them privacy IMO. If they are both alert and oriented and consenting...then it's not your place to stop it.

[student456]

that is too cute! if they want to be together let them....its probably their last chance for a relationship. Seperating them would cause them to be more agitated than letting them be together if they are consenting adults

[nursiemellie]

Okay I didn't mean that I should be the one to interfere and stop their relationship, who would want that done to them? My concern was how to document the behavior because the facility does allow these patient relationships but it has to be documented and their family members have to be aware of this situation also. It's the whole CYA thing. They are both alert and oriented x 3, middle aged adults with psychotic problems.