Does your residents hit you?

[Ev1987]

Yesturday, I had one resident hit me on the wrist with her bed side remote and she repeatedly slapped my arm beacuse she didn't want me to change her brief. She had a diaper full of hard BM, that I know she'd been laying in for hours. There was no way I could leave her like that. I have no ill feelings towards her because she is confused and has severe dementia. I also had a combative two-assist resident that a co-worker and I had to change last night. Her brief was filthy, and as my partner helped roll her to the side, she pinched me with her nails and left marks on my arm. She also called my co-worker the 'N' word...

Has any of your residents or patients hit you, or called you offensive names? I was already mentally prepared for this type of behavior before I signed up for the job, but it sucks thinking sometimes that I get paid pennies to have to deal with verbal and physical abuse, on top of my back-breaking job. I'd love to hear your comments, advice and experiences dealing with these issues. Thank you! :redbeathe

[ijh6890]

We have some combative residents in our facility. I think it is uncommon for a nursing home to have none that are like that. The dementia and alzheimers will cause fear and confusion. We have one woman with neither that is combative just because she wants to be. We just deal with it the best we can, file an incident report, and if it comes to it we will send them to a behavioral clinic for a few days to a month depending on the situation. Some of my favorite residents will hit on a bad day.... it doesn't change the way I treat them. :)

[dicecream]

I have been wondering about one of my residents who has advanced alzheimers and hits very hard any time anyone but her husband touches her. She also scratches, grabs, and squeezes, and has come very close to breaking my fingers. She is bedridden but still has very strong arms, cannot speak but yells very loud. I've tried talking to her many different ways, even singing to her which sometimes helps for a few minutes (holding her hands and singing "say say my playmate" is a good way to make her smile) but I can't do that and give care at the same time. For a while her husband would hold her hands while we changed her but this became too stressful for him. I've learned to stay out of her range and cover her arms when I need to get closer.

Recently another CNA suggested putting a blindfold on her so we can get in close to give care without restraining her or getting hit. Does anyone know if this is considered abuse? I've tried it (I just lay a pillowcase over her eyes) and it makes such a difference. When she can't see us, she can't hit us, at least not accurately. She still yells at first, but I can actually take care of her without getting punched or smacked. It also seems to make her a little calmer after little while when she can't see us. Of course I take it off when I'm done.

I'm afraid to ask my DNS (it's been a long time since she did anything hands-on) because I don't want her to tell me not to do it, but I still want to know. I really do want what's best for the resident, but I have to consider my own safety. :redpinkhe

[dicecream]

I decided to start a new thread for this question. For some reason I can't edit it anymore, so mods feel free to delete. Otherwise, just ignore.