Bariatric Residents

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks, I'm doing some looking. Good Luck to you...hope all is well!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks, I'm doing some looking. Good Luck to you...hope all is well!

Rnltc · Jan 26, 2005

It depends on which type of procdure they had. Plus why do they need nursing home care and not at home with home health. You should be able to get something from the center who did the surgery. I am sorry I did not understand your first posting as into the Bariatric procdure. I read it to mean bariatric resident in general on P&P for caring for Bariatric residents.

Rnltc · Jan 26, 2005

It depends on which type of procdure they had. Plus why do they need nursing home care and not at home with home health. You should be able to get something from the center who did the surgery. I am sorry I did not understand your first posting as into the Bariatric procdure. I read it to mean bariatric resident in general on P&P for caring for Bariatric residents.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2005

It depends on which type of procdure they had. Plus why do they need nursing home care and not at home with home health. You should be able to get something from the center who did the surgery. I am sorry I did not understand your first posting as into the Bariatric procdure. I read it to mean bariatric resident in general on P&P for caring for Bariatric residents.

Sorry...that is what I meant. What I really meant to ask is how are you caring for the morbidly obese (that is the doc dx...one I would also have :uhoh21: ). Not just the ones who have had surgery done.

MiaLyse, APRN · Jan 26, 2005

We have one now. Took us a while to get prepared (after resident was admitted of couse) Are you seeing more? What are you doing to prepare? Any special policies or procedures?

There's a LTC facility near me that has a bariatrics program. Many of the patients come in before the surgery needing to lose weight first in order to even have the surgery. I think alot of emotional support is needed in this area. Even though these people have made up their minds that they want the surgery, it is still a scary time for many of them and I think they could use more one on one when available. Just my thoughts from my experiences with a few pts. before the surgery. hth's

Kelly

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2005

I am confused a bit...are you speaking of general direct care for a bariatric patient? Like what type of equipment, services, needs they need daily?

We had one, but typically our residents are not. She had to have special equipment made for her size (a typical hoyer sling wouldn't suffice, a electric wheel chair wasn't strong enough..and so on) and we were able to get it all within time (and don't forget you need to rely on those companies for maintence..which can be costly!). We had to go through special training for Caregivers to work with this equipment, and really teach proper skin care for folds (which can break down or irriate so easily if not treated daily), transfers, how to take vs in the larger patient, and many remiders of dignity issues and to be mindful, respectful and compassionate.

She was a handful though, post stroke with right side paralyisis, a good 400lbs, and all that special equipment kept breaking down and we were seirously stuck with limitations on care with that equipment not being functional (like the vanderlift...oh if that went we all, patient and staff, were like "OH NO!". OR a lovely caregiver forgetting to plug in her electric wheelchair..which was a Godsend...oh if that went down she didn't get to go anywhere!). But we would all use our critical thinking techiques, find new and better ways of doing things (she tried to help, but was rather nonverbal...but she was pretty nice about trying things out!).

But all and all...she was just great, well loved, and we just did what was necessary as a team to help her! So it wasn't that big of a deal...just getting use to it all was the tough part. But once we got the equipment, got use to it, got the right routine, hit the many skin issues that occured as they occured, got a very secure bed (she had a seizure disorder, and one time she collapsed the bed during one..poor dear!), and got to know her...it was just a matter of doing the routine and giving her a big old hug at the end of the day! :)

Be patient, use all your resources to find reliable (costly sadly but it is what it takes for quality!) equipment, have them do as much as they can and have them as an active participant in their own care (not just physically, but mentally...don't let them feel powerless..involve them in choices, listen to their needs as they see them, encourge them to think of better ways...they usually have been ignored or chastized for a long time r/t weight bias...so involving them is such a huge relief and positive step in helping them regain their self esteeme and worth!), and always keep keen on new ideas on how to get things done!

rmarz · Jul 25, 2008

When you say "fold care" what exactly are you doing?

We have a bariatric woman in our LTC and the folds, the sweat, and the inability to turn much to remove pressure from a large area of her body... well it's creating wounds, go figure! We have been using Mepilix to some degree of success. But prevention would seem to be the key, the calmo and A+D doesn't seem to be too effective.

Please let us know =D