Elderly Case Managment / Day Care

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

Hi. I have interviewed for a job in a facility that has case management for the elderly and provides day care services. Patients come in for meals, activities and leave at the end of the day. I was informed it's 90% case management and 10% patient care. There are three nurses and each RN gets a nursing assistant to work with.

There are two bathrooms where patients may be bathe/ shaved, if necessary, but I was informed the nursing assistant would do this. I'm not sure why the RN's get assigned an assistant because because I was informed the job is 90% case managment. I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but I have back problems and I can't lift more than 30 lbs without experiencing major discomfort at the end of the day.

I asked what the typical day is for an RN and was informed nurses typically start day doing assesments, refer patients to md and assist with clinic visit with md if they feel pt. should be seen by md. Nurses order meds from pharmacy and distribute to patients to self administer at home, a few get meds. during day care services. The center also provides physical therapy, phlebotomist services,.. There are three beds for ekg or "other needs"..

Case managers keep their 60 patient case loads within network providers, and all people in the program come in about 3 times a week for day care.

Does anyone else work in this type of environment? Can you share your experience with me? Why do I need a nursing assistant assigned to me? What kinds of challeges do you experience with case managment for the elderly. I have worked with elderly before but I do not have long term care experience or case management experience. I have worked dialysis for the last 20 years and I'm a little anxious about leaving my employer. Any advice or information you can share with me? Thanks.