Inappropriate Behavior

[gapeacheykeen]

In an LTC facility, the residents will often ask for hugs...I don't have a problem giving hugs! My question is an activity aide (female) giving hugs and kisses on the cheeks when the residents don't ask for it. Can this be considered inappropriate or infringing on the residents rights? I'm still a CNA student and want to learn the correct way to behave around residents.

[yousoldtheworld]

This was a regretful, lame attempt at humor.

I don't and have never 'swabbed their cheek with an alcohol swab'.

My apologies to those I offended.

Nothing wrong with humor! It's just unfortunate that there ARE so mny with that kind of attitude that it isn't apparent whether it's a joke or not, is all. I thought of this thread just today - I was rocking a 2 year old with shaken baby syndrome, I had her cradled against my chest, and a fairly new activities assistant looked at me with her nose crinkled up...and said "Don't you worry about getting sick, doing that?"

Yep, genius. I cry myself to sleep at night out of fear of waking up with shaken baby syndrome.

[student forever]

I would have thought this was horrible until I became a cna and found out (so far) that 2 of my res had c-diff and no one bothered to tell me!! No surprise that it creeped down the hallway. . . go figure.

Now I gown up until they've had several days of their antibiotics and still double glove when toileting. I have to admit my kissing days have greatly diminished. I do not want to spread anything to my other little dearies.

But in general, hug and pat and kiss away!!!

[student forever]

Truly!! Geez, you're already exposed to every microorganism present in the facility you work in, not to mention the close proximity with people that you are caring for. CNA work is no place for germaphobes !!! :icon_roll

Just ponder those wheelchair handles. . . when has anyone anywhere ever wiped them down?? And what would be the point?? haha!

[Biera]

I think this is a great question. I asked the same one of my supervisor b/c my coworker kisses residents over and over, big wet kisses on the face, neck, etc. going bed to bed to bed. It's disgusting and inappropriate imho.

[rivershark2005]

It surprises me how many of the residents in the facility I am working at say, "(my name), get over here and hug me! I haven't seen you since you were this high (hand about 4' above the ground). How's your mom?"

Beyond those residents, I pat every single person on the shoulder when I pass them. The number of smiles I get from that minimal amount of contact is amazing. I have also found that a smile goes a long way. It seems that none of the CNAs I work with want to smile at their residents.

Now, kissing a resident? I would assume that a quick kiss on the cheek is okay, with certain residents. I'm certainly not a point that I would feel comfortable doing this, but I have only been working there for 3 days. Maybe as time goes by...

[MedChica]

'Infringing on their rights'?

Eh.

If the lady at your job feels obliged? That's her.

It's not like she's fondling the residents and they're not signalling discomfort.

I don't kiss the residents.

I hug. Our residents are human and starved for friendly physical contact, some of them. One of my little ladies always wants you to sit with her...and she'll grab your hand and pat it.

She likes contact. Her family never visits.

I've no problem giving hugs to some.

To others? They're horny people, so it's best not to travel down that road.

For others? A fist bump will suffice.

I work psych and some of our lovely residents like to finger-pant.

Kissing? I'm not overly 'familiar' with anyone in life, really. Save my boyfriend.

Cheek pecking is just not something that I tend to do.

[interceptinglight, CNA]

I've never seen a CNA that I worked with ever kiss a resident that we were caring for -- except for one. There was this cutest little gentleman, a dementia-ridden fellow who tended to give the staff a lot of heck all the time with his defiant combative behavior. One night it took two of us to get him all settled into bed, at which time he fell asleep instantly. I remarked, 'Ahhhh......they look so cute when they're sleeping!'......at which time my partner gave him a little peck on the head as she tucked him in. I'll never forget that.

[forbidden2know]

Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism.

:thankya:

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I kiss many patients on the forehead and or cheek and I jug everyone. I asked a crying family member who I found in the hall crying if she'd like a hug. She nodded so I gave her a great big one. I think it's perfectly appropriate when your caring for someone as long as its not given when not wanted.