Anyone with experience caring for elderly holocaust survivors?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

Wow...that is such a specific patient population. I have no experience with dealing with Holocaust survivors AFAIK (if my patient was one, they didn't disclose it).

Are you caring for this patient in a psychiatric setting?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

I have some experience caring for a holocaust survivor. Her needs were extreme, as far as safety was concerned.

For your patient...what is the setting? inpatient, nursing home, psych, or what? That makes a difference.

Having her object of significance with her is a huge thing. Now is not the time to wean her off it. It gives her peace, and hurts no one. Maybe you could talk with her about it and learn more about how it's significant to her?

alivera · Feb 23, 2015

Thanks for replying! We're on a Med-Surg unit and I have no psych experience, which is why it has been so tough. She's been here a while and having a really difficult time in an institutional setting. That makes sense to me and I feel for her. She has episodes of intense anxiety understandably. Her object of significance is a necklace, a Hamsa, and so far that is the main way we've been able to get her to relax when she panics. Basically, pointing out her Hamsa and showing her it is right there and telling her that it is here to protect her, etc. Glad to know that I wasn't doing her any harm in encouraging her to rely on it. Like I said I have no psych experience and it seemed to help. I guess I was just worried about doing further harm since I have zero experience dealing with patients who have experienced such trauma and I have little experience nursing anyway.

And, yeah, protecting her from harm is the main goal. Like I said her anxiety attacks are extreme- like real fight or flight mode and she's not in good shape physically.

alivera · Feb 23, 2015

I only knew because of the tattoo on her arm. I asked about it's significance and she told me flat out. We're not in a psych setting, I have no psych experience. It's a med-surg unit so I'm a fish out of water here.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

Is she from a nursing home and/or confused? What is she like at home? Since she's elderly, I'm wondering if her medical condition might be causing some of this? What is she hospitalized for?

Definitely since her time with you is short term, do nothing to limit her access to her necklace. It's good she has it to help her!

SeaH20RN, BSN · Feb 23, 2015

While I was a home health nurse, I had multiple pts who were holocaust survivors. Some had the tattoos and some did not. All of them where very open to talk about it. Most of the ones I have taken care of go to the local schools and talk to the kids about the Holocauset. I have not experienced anyone as extreme as your describing. They all were in thier own homes and felt very safe. They did ask me if I was German, of course I said No. I know my pts did not like dogs or the sound of barking dogs. My heart goes out to each and every one of them, they have been through Hell and back.

No Stars In My Eyes · Feb 24, 2015

I would go so far as to suggest looking up a synagogue or two in the yellow pages, or a Jewish Community Center, and in some places there are Social Services especially for Jewish folks, just like there are Catholic Social Service agencies. Do a search on the internet.

I would think there is a Rabbi somewhere who could help you or point you to someone who could. You can talk with clergy without specifying personal info of the pt. so you don't have to worry about HIPAA. Look up Holocaust Survivors, find someone familiar with the generation who experienced all the horror.There have to be people around who could give you helpful info. Sounds like you are doing pretty well so far.

bebbercorn · Feb 24, 2015

Psychiatric disorders and other health dimensions among Holocaust s... - PubMed - NCBI Here is one article listed by the NIH, there are several available here. These aspects may help you should you have patients that have been refugees or displaced persons from other areas where crimes against humanity occurred/are occurring, too. (Think Bosnia, Darfur, Cambodia, Rwanda, Syria...)

wingding · Feb 25, 2015

No Stars in my eyes has an important tip --- for Holocaust survivor religion & race are why they were being exterminated - to offer & have a Rabbi come would encourage safety & trust. Sit & ask questions on her prayer & encourage her to teach you a little. I have not nursed survivors, however, I was brought up with survivors & their families. I was raised on their recall - the telling of what happened to them, like childrens stories, they told to teach (although for a 5yr old it was horrific & terrifying). ALOT of comfort care while you nurse is needed here.

alivera · Feb 25, 2015

Thanks so much for all of your advice! I really appreciate it, especially the advice about contacting a local rabbi. We got someone to come visit her from a local Jewish community center and she's been much more stable since. It is amazing to me how much anxiety level can influence a person's physical health. Good teaching lesson.

sjalv · Feb 27, 2015

No Stars in my eyes has an important tip --- for Holocaust survivor religion & race are why they were being exterminated -

While your advice is very good, I wanted to comment on this line. People were not only targeted for their race and religion (or lack thereof), but also for their sexual preferences. Approximately 5k-15k men who were arrested for homosexuality during the Holocaust were incarcerated in concentration camps. They were identified with a pink triangle on their clothing while imprisoned. It isn't widely known that gay people were targeted alongside Jews and others, but I like to inform others. Though the number of homosexuals incarcerated is very few compared to Jews, it's possible that as nurses, we could encounter someone who was imprisoned for that reason.