Resident seating arrangement dilema

ktwlpn, LPN · Jul 17, 2013

Hello all. I have a little dilema with seating arrangements in the dining room between two ladies. They both want the same seat. The problem is one of them only comes out for the evening meal the majority of the time and the 2-10 shift apparently uses assigned seats and will make the person sitting there move. I don't agree with that and we don't do it on 6-2. What I instructed my staff to do is manipulate the seating arrangements to encourage the one that is present for every meal to sit in the seat to the left of this one and just not put a chair there that way we arent encouraging her to sit there in the evening time. THat doesn't stop her from asking about it though. This is a dementia facility but you would be so suprised at what they remember. ANy thoughts, suggestions or experiences with this type of thing?

You have to do whatever you can to prevent an escalation of behaviors by either resident and what works today may not work tomorrow. All staff have to be flexible because the resident can not be reasoned with, the "reasoner" is broken due to the dementia. The last thing you want is a melt down in the D/R that will set everyone off. These folks can be very impulsive and possessive like children and you can only control staff's reactions. When the lady is sitting in the other residents prefered chair does it really bother her to be asked to move or is staff actually having the problem with what is "fair"? Staff need to stop "controlling" ,this may be part of the problem. All staff need to be using consistent approaches and I see an opportunity for some training here. You could do some inserices on redirecting tips.

We have used bunches of silk flowers at each table and named the table after them (similar to a wedding reception) They all think they are getting something very special when you lead them to the "Rose" of "lilac" table " as long as the staff presents the opportunity in the right way. It's all redirection and slight of hand. Try "Mrs Smith ,Mr Jones would like the pleasure of your company tonight" Lead her over,introduce them as though they have never met and serve them a drink. Some residents don't react well to the stimulation of dining companions-make sure you have a few single tables tucked to the side (and care planned)

Do the girls get along at other times? If not,is that the root cause of the behavior? I've dealt with that many times, you just have to consistently redirect and keep them separated. I've had ladies on units who literally had to sit back to back because if they caught sight of each other they would pick fights. And you have to be careful with decorations on the tables, too-sometimes they'll fight over them "My daughter brought that in " and "She most assuredly did NOT,I picked that up today at the Acme" and pretty soon petals are flying. Dementia care always presents unique challenges.