New in LTC -- Any suggestions for learning all the patients and their special needs?

night owl · Aug 10, 2003

Welcome to the world of geriatrics. As others have mentioned your CNA is your best friend, and learning their names will take awhile. Certain residents you'll learn right off the bat and won't forget and others will take awhile, but eventually you'll learn them all by just working with them and taking care of them. You'll soon learn their Dx etc, their little quirks, what makes them happy, things they like to do, and of course their families, but all it takes is some time and soon it will happen, you'll see. Good luck to you TodayGod'sGift! :)

night owl · Aug 10, 2003

Originally posted by Cubby
. After you get the moring meds and juice thrown at you just once, you will learn that Sam X takes his meds crushed in pudding.

Just read your post and you are right on target!

By working with them this is how you learn allllll about them. You'll love em and enjoy em all. Have fun!

Disablednurse · Aug 10, 2003

Get you a pocket notebook and jot down notes in it about the residents. Use it each day. You will have something to help when giving meds and when charting.

redwinggirlie · Aug 10, 2003

How about a small address book? You can carry it in your pocket and include specifics like family names, likes/dislikes and their birthday, special accomplishments.... just a thought

chipper · Aug 27, 2003

I, too, have been an nurse for only one year. I have read over everyone else's answers, and they have great advice. The CNA's will prove to be a godsend if they are treated with respect, and the fact they know their people. Mine have showed me ways to get the residents to take their meds by telling me what they like to drink, or if they like ice cream... We have a 24 hour report sheet that I write pertinent info on. As for a new resident, find out- for the aides- if they have a F/C, if they are A/O, need assist of one, two, to transfer. If they have special diets and fliuds. Sorry if I am rambling.

Chipper:

NJ LNHA · Aug 29, 2003

I'm an assistant administrator of a LTC and Sub-acute unit as well as Behavior Management and I can strongly recommend is read the care plans, read the care plans, and read care plans, oh did I tell you, read the care plans. If written correctly it will tell you exactly how to care for John Doe. I couldn't agree more with Greer128 and wif411. Good Luck, I hope you love it as much as I do!!!

TodayGod'sGift · Aug 29, 2003

Hello again everyone... I'm just here to say THANKS for ALL of your suggestions... they have helped me out tremendously....

I have now worked LTC for two weeks and I absolutely love it... I work nights and it is just wonderful.... It is very busy at our facility as we have a vent patient, two trachs and about 6 tube feeders that I take care of each night... plus all the treatments.. and just about everyone has a dressing or cream of some sort... so there is NO downtime... but I just love it!...

Thanks to each of your for your suggestion and words of encouragement... I have to tell you, geriatrics are a special population and I love each and every one of my patients... they are each so unique in their own way... I strive to give them my very best... cause if anyone deserves the best of care, the geriatrics do in my book... [Guess I'm already showing partiality! :) ]

OK... I'm off to get some :zzzzz so I don't :zzzzz on the job tomorrow night! Don't worry... no time to get :zzzzz !

Jazzi82 · Aug 29, 2003

I took a piece of paper and wrote down all their names. First thing I did was find someone that did know the residents and asked questions like....1) How do they take their meds, meaning crushed, whole and so on 2) any IV's, tubes, insulins, blood sugars etc, that I should be aware of 3) find out your codes immediately 4) know your diabetics, could save a life. Then, if you have time, check out DX as you have time so you can be aware of whether something is normal or new....hope those help. Don't sweat it, Geriatrics is the best and I am an old timer from way back, wouldn't work any other field. Just remember, each one of them is like a library book, have lived parts of history we have only read about and can provide you lots of interesting info on their own. Just be yourself, they'll love you.

joyflnoyz, LPN · Aug 29, 2003

It'll come...just takes time :)

I agree..#1 ASK YOUR CNA'S..if they are permanent on the unit, they'll have a lot of knowledge. Be prepared to be "tested" by them, as well. Are you "too good" to toilet a resident, or pass trays and feed??

****REMEMBER your "five rights" ***** with your med pass.

Check those arm bands!! many times in LTC a resident will answer to another's name, or by laying in a bed not assigned to them :)

When we give report, we have a "hand off sheet"... room numbers, names. I like to have DNR/hospitalize status on it too. I take notes in red ink ..special stuff to look out for. Accucheks, those on ABX. Just about everyone is an encourage fluids

We also put a "C" next to names who get meds crushed, "W" for whole and W/Pudd for whole in pudding.

Don't forget to hug your residents!!!!

chipper · Sep 2, 2003

Where I work, the residents do not have arm bands. There might be a question as to whether they can have their name on the door due to the HIPPA agreement. One thing I have noticed is that when a person is lying down, they look a whole lot different when they are sitting up. It helps if there is a photo of the person in the MAR, but again, they look different when lying down. The way that I have found to make sure that I am doing the 5 rights are to look face to face with the person and notice any special marks on their face or hands. Hope this helps.