Anyone with experience caring for elderly holocaust survivors?

canigraduate · Feb 27, 2015

You have received some excellent advice. I would break down your survivor's biggest issues and work down the list.

Obviously, there is some PTSD - so keep a stable environment, try to have the same care providers as much as possible, limit harmful stimulation, have familiar objects and people around as much as possible.

For her anxiety, I would encourage the docs to have some hefty PRNs on hand as she may have flashbacks or severe panic attacks, and if she isn't on an anti anxiety regimen, then maybe you could ask for one.

For trust issues - I really like the way you use a sweater to camouflage your uniform. Another way to combat this would be to educate her about the different uniforms and that they are really a sign of people who are there to help her. This will take a while, though, so camouflage may still be your best bet. Also, instruct your CNAs, phlebotomists, etc., to explain what they are doing before they do it, and the purpose of the intervention. Holocaust survivors were violated in the worst ways and something as simple as a blood draw can be a source for paranoia.

I am glad that having a Rabbi visit was so beneficial. Since this helped so much, perhaps you can ask local synagogues for other religious objects that she can keep in her room that can give her comfort, such as a Star of David or maybe a Torah that she can keep at the bedside.

Also, if she doesn't have a psych consult, perhaps you can ask for one.

These are just my thoughts on the matter, I am in no way an expert. I have dealt with a few trauma survivors and a couple of Holocaust survivors, but with much less significant fear.

canigraduate · Feb 27, 2015

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.

Too true. My husband watches a lot of documentaries, and Hitler's Final Solution did away with anyone who was not part of his ideal. The mentally ill, the developmentally disabled, homosexuals, all were affected. Some were put in camps, some were sterilized, many were experimented on, some were executed. It was horrible.

Red Kryptonite · Feb 27, 2015

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.

And not only Jews were targeted for their religion. Maximilian Kolbe and Edith Stein died for being Catholic.

I can't imagine there are many Holocaust survivors left, but I'm glad people are aware and sensitive to their needs.

prmenrs, RN · Mar 14, 2015

Good for you for "embracing" this experience, gathering resources, and making sure this patient has what she needs. Thank you!!

wingding · Mar 16, 2015

sjalv --- you are right, it was not just Jews in the concentration camps, it was everyone who was not what they wanted them to be --- anyone who was in opposition in any way of what they wanted at the moment. Children were encouraged to turn in their parents if they weren't completely Hitler oriented. I apologize if that seemed callous of me to not identify all the types --- but there are too many to go into detail. My parents friends were French Jewish woman watched her family gunned down from the crib - she was 3 - her nanny got her out of France; another was German Jewish woman that her husband put her & baby in a boat - forced her to flee Germany before it got to them. Several other friends had parents in the concentration camps & I had a history teacher who was a child in a camp. No disrespect was meant to any catagory of persons that were subjected to that horror.

wingding · Mar 16, 2015

sjalv --- you are right, it was not just Jews in the concentration camps, it was everyone who was not what they wanted them to be --- anyone who was in opposition in any way of what they wanted at the moment. Children were encouraged to turn in their parents if they weren't completely Hitler oriented. I apologize if that seemed callous of me to not identify all the types --- but there are too many to go into detail. My parents friends were French Jewish woman watched her family gunned down from the crib - she was 3 - her nanny got her out of France; another was German Jewish woman that her husband put her & baby in a boat - forced her to flee Germany before it got to them. Several other friends had parents in the concentration camps & I had a history teacher who was a child in a camp. No disrespect was meant to any catagory of persons that were subjected to that horror.