dementia pt/wants out

[deetrain]

If a dementia pt attempts to escape through the exit doors...what should the CNA do?

[sharpeimom]

something that worked when my husband's elderly aunt would try to go out those doors was to remind her gently that it would soon be time for a cup of tea. they'd ask her whether she would like to come choose the type of tea for today's tea. she was a british war bride and, though her dementia was advanced, she did fondly remember high tea. if while they were brewing her a pot of tea, she remained

agitated, the staff would engage her in making finger sandwiches to go with her tea. they were pb&j, cheese, etc. but when they were cut into quarters or "fingers" she would settle right down.

hunger sometimes causes agitation.

[handyrn]

I agree with the tea, but here in the US with an elderly person, the magic phrase is: Can I buy you a cup of coffee? That has worked wonders!

Another thought of mine is that these residents are often inside for days, even months on end. These are people that, as kids, were outside playing. As adults, outside farming, hanging out clothes on the line, etc. How long could you stay cooped up inside a hallway with bedrooms? Sometimes, they just need a walk, fresh air, sunlight, etc.

[Teleflurry, DNP]

You need to stop them without hurting yourself or them..but dont just look daffy and let them go. A hospital I float to lost a patient that way, and ended up in the canal face down dead.

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

in the lock down unit where i work a rt had been attempting to get out for a good hour or two. she would go up and down the hall going in and out of rooms. i locked and closed all rooms but hers, it was impossible to redirect her. she started to get aggressive towards another rt. she tried to assault me with a water bottle, one of the hard plastic ones, it could have done some damage. i got her to her room, and she started accusing me of raping and kidnapping her sister and killing her brothers (i think she lived through a civil war). because she was getting violent with the residents i could not let her leave without being calmed down. she hit me a few times, she was young (60) and strong and it hurt. she thought my phone was a weapon and it only upset her more, but i did call for back up eventually. the only way i could get away was to tell her that although i did not take her sister, i could find out where she was and would get her if she stayed right here. i'm not to happy with telling a lie like that, but....

it turns out the previous shift was very late on her meds and she was no longer at therapeutic levels.

so i think you do what you have to do with safety being priority, thats of other pt's, you and them.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

Try to divert them. Mention that its cold out - they need a jacket. Lets walk back to your room and get one then you can go out. Or ask them if they have their keys/wallet/purse - again lets go back and get them. Don't fight them, just re-direct them.

I use the rain as an excuse. "Its been raining and the roads are bad. We are going to spend the night here and let it dry up out there overnight."

Oh god it was easy during the winter when we had 15 inches of snow every week. "It just snowed 15 inches. They have to clear the roads and I'm sure they are very slippery and icy." I didn't have to lie that was the truth lol