Did I do the right thing?

[AndiMac]

I recently got my rear chewed off by a family of a resident. This res. had severe back pain, she couldn't stand from a sitting position. This res. is also notorious for having anxiety attacks. I gave her a PRN Darvocet and a PRN Ativan. She was unable to slow her resp. rate, she was obviosuly anxious. With that kind of pain, you're going to be anxious, correct? Well, anyways, it was Thanksgiving, and her family chewed my butt because she went to sleep. This has been giving me grief, I was taught anti-anxiety and pain meds in this kind of scenario go hand in hand. I feel bad, because it was Thanksgiving and all, but still, was I supposed to let her sit and hyperventilate, pass out, and drown in her gravy?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by Scis

I think the families and friends of these critically ill patients try to act as if nothing is changed. That their family member/friend is the same person as they are used to, QUOTE] That is true in acute care but LTC is a different story.Most of the time it IS about the family or the friend or neighbor....Often families expect us to do exactly what they were not able to do but within the parameters of the regulations.Dad has had his days and nights turned around for 3 years yet they expect him to be bright eyed and bushy tailed during their obligatory Saturday morning visit....Mom has screamed and fought through baths and shampoos for months yet they want her hair shampooed and set weekly..."Mom-Don't you KNOW who I am"?.....No-Mom does not know YOU-she only knows that someone is very close to her face and talking loudly...She feels scared because she can not understand the words and their meaning....We often have to spend a great deal of time educating families so that they do not expect their loved ones to perform like a trained seal..."Mom-wake UP,I came all this way to see you" ...Mom-SEE ME-acknowledge me.....KNOW ME.....We have to help them accept that they are loosing their loved one and often already have done so years ago but are just waiting for a funeral...Adimac you did well......You are your resident's advocate-and educating the families is a big part of the job but the resident's well-being comes first...There is no pill for dementia or old age.....

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by ktwlpn

["Mom-Don't you KNOW who I am"?.....No-Mom does not know YOU-she only knows that someone is very close to her face and talking loudly...She feels scared because she can not understand the words and their meaning....We often have to spend a great deal of time educating families...We have to help them accept that they are loosing their loved one and often already have done so years ago but are just waiting for a funeral...There is no pill for dementia or old age..... [/b]

In this post you remind me of something... it may sound a little silly to you... it is a poem I wrote in 9th grade when my grandma's Alzheimer's was worsening and your words remind me of how that experience was... my mom read a segment of it at her funeral... I know it is a little OT but I would like to share it anyways, and give you KUDOS Andi for your actions and being so caring, the elderly in these facilities need good advocates and caring nurses.

"Fadeaway"

My grandmother

fading

fading

She doesn't know it

She doesn't remember

Her mind is being taken

by a silent killer

slowly stealing her memories

She doesn't know

who she used to love

She smiles polite

she knows what to say

but not why

or who it is she's talking to

She likes it when we come

but she doesn't remember who we are

Her life is slipping away

she feels the same as she did before

she doesn't realize the difference

Photographs of people she loved

are unknown to her now

She's not the same

I don't care

It doesn't matter to my love for her

I kiss her dry old cheek

I miss her

but I love her still.

-please don't laugh; remember I was only 14 when I wrote this-

[Scis]

Rayrae:

Beautiful tribute. Your grandmother was very lucky to have you.

Thanks for sharing. :kiss