[Elvish]

Originally Posted by Hopefull2009

If this woman has "sexual needs" that go so far that she is harming herself, then that isn't normal...that is a sign of a sex drive gone out of control.

I agree that the staff should not have been the ones to purchase said item. However, I don't think this is a sign of an out-of-control libido. Methinks the tissue damage was from using something that was obviously not made for said purpose.

[MichaelFloridaRN]

I think that we should look at this in a professional way.

The woman obviously has a need that she is attempting to meet, and a right to do so. We must respect this.

The item can be ordered via the net, or someone could volunteer to go buy it. I agree that no staff member should be made to go buy one. I would likely have a problem buying this myself.

The resident should be assisted in keeping this "item" clean and stored in a way to protect the residents privacy.

I did read in one reply that family should go buy this. If this is possible, sure why not. However, the resident may not have family. And even more important, the resident may not want the family to know about this. So we as professional caretakers should step up and assist the resident in this matter. After all this is part of Maslows hierarchy.

[jlsRN]

Originally Posted by Hopefull2009

There was no reason a staff member should have been told to purchase the device....that is why the internet exists.

If this woman has "sexual needs" that go so far that she is harming herself, then that isn't normal...that is a sign of a sex drive gone out of control.

This was years ago before internet, she has been a nurse for 30 years.

[jlsRN]

Maybe this woman had a very well established masturbation habit, and did enjoy putting various objects you know where. Now that she is demented, she chose an object that was unsuitable. So, it makes sense to supply a more appropriately shaped object that is designed for the purpose the woman had in mind.

As far as monitoring the usage of the object, that would seem to me to be an invasion of privacy, since that activity is considered very personal to most people.

[WitchyRN]

Originally Posted by jolleygirl

I did encounter the same issue once. The female pt. was always rubbing herself with the little stuffed animals, when her care plan was done it was addressed and someone purchased the little toy for her. I understand the normal urges and all but guess whos job it was to keep the vibrator clean!! the nurse/cna.

That would be the day I turned in my resignation...I also agree the family needed to purchase the sex toy and IMHO, they(or the patient, if able) should be responsible for any maintainance that is required.

I know we all have physical needs, but as a nurse, I'd rather keep my exposure to patients sex toys to when I have to remove them in the OR. Even then, I think i'm good with one or two a year, tops.

[WitchyRN]

Originally Posted by jlsRN

Maybe this woman had a very well established masturbation habit, and did enjoy putting various objects you know where. Now that she is demented, she chose an object that was unsuitable. So, it makes sense to supply a more appropriately shaped object that is designed for the purpose the woman had in mind.

As far as monitoring the usage of the object, that would seem to me to be an invasion of privacy, since that activity is considered very personal to most people.

I was just thinking that anyone who works LTC, Psych, Rehab etc should be a nominee for sainthood, because I cannot imagine dealing with some of this stuff on a daily basis. Incontinence, fine. Nausea and vomiting, no problem. Blood everywhere and mangled limbs, I've got you covered. I even provide what I think is excellent psychological support to patients pre-op and post-op. But I draw the personal line at going to the local smut shop and picking out a vibrator for Granny...the genius who was insisting on this should have been the one to go.

[pattycakeRN]

I second the ... you couldn't pay me enough.
In fact, I think I should be paid for the emotional scars this has left me with.

[LovebugLPN]

I worked in a local catholic LTC facility and the Sisters and Monsingers (sp) who years before seemed so refined became very sexually frustrated when dementia hit. I would have rather they had "toys" then some of the things they used. At least you would have known what to avoid. You never knew what you could touch in those rooms. Yuck!

[Diary/Dairy]

People have needs - If she needs some help, get her something less likely to hurt her..... I don't know that I could buy something like that for someone else.

[SharonH, RN]

There's nothing immoral or illegal about using a sex toy(unless you're in certain parts of the South but I digress). In a patient care setting like this one and for a patient who had no other means to obtain the item I would have no problem getting it for them. The only place I draw the line is assisting or monitoring.