geratrics

patsy · Aug 10, 1998

As a home-care screening nurse...training the importance of identifying skin and dehydration problems early can save your client's from needless re-admits and encourage longevity for those client's who need palliative care only. Also, good oral care is a must for preventing serious problems and discomfort. Hope this helped!

Mister Chris, MSN, NP · Jul 14, 2004

..................I would like to hear from other educators what they include in there orientation program for personal carers.

I have been a specialist Registered Nurse in the Geriatric area for some years and one of the most neglected areas I find is (as well as observation of clients for dehydration/constipation etc) practical making of beds and transfering and "non-lifting" methods of client handling. Along with a session on how to talk to the residents and having a positive attitude and getting along with other nurses. Nearly all of the new nurses starting have a very good initial attitude, but I have found that this does wear off after a while. Rather unfortunate - we all have "off days" - we need to teach others that they do not bring their "off days" into work with them! After having worked in several different aged care nursing establishments I have to admit the basics "hands on" care is where more education is needed and should be part of the orientation. Also on-going annual "refresher sessions" prove very helpful.

Hope that is of some use to you. Good luck.

Mister Chris.

Destinystar · Jul 14, 2004

Here in California what we give in an orienation program is dictated in our state and Federal regualtions. In addition to that we inform the care givers about policies that are unique to each individual facility. I think that one of the most important things you can do is to define the personal carers roles as well as the roles of the others who they work with. We are also mandated to spend time on pt. abuse, universal precautions, preventing injury, + many other things. :)

iam a nurse educator/quality assurance coordinator at a 40 bed nursing home/60 bed hostel aged care facility. I would like to here from other educators what they include in there orientation program for personal carers.