Anyone eles work in assisted living????

ann31247374 · Oct 26, 2002

I worked in assisted living for three years. I feel as if you have more time to spend with the patients because they can do more for themselves. I really loved it.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 26, 2002

Good thread, Nakita !

Would like to hear some responses. Have given it some thought myself. I enjoy the elderly, but can't stomach the house of horrors run-of-the-mill nusing homes. I'd get so angry at what goes on, I'd be fired in a day! Have a great assisted living place near here...condo-type with full care when needed... have thought of doing some PRN there...

Right...let's get this thread moving ! :)

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2002

Jnette I worked AL as a contract person in one of my home health jobs. I liked it when they really were AL. To keep their numbers up they admitted and kept people who were totally inapppropriate for AL. The independent residents did not like seeing all the people who were really nursing home patients so alot of them revolted. They made a separate dinning room for the more ill clients/feeders. I think you would like AL.

renerian

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 26, 2002

Thanx, Ren !

Where my mom lives (north of Phoenix) there are so many AL places it's just amazing..well, nearly everywhere in AZ. ! The ones there are like palaces..grand pianos in the dining rooms, coat and tie dinners, you name it. Lots and lots of options and activities, huge indoor pool and walking tracks..everything at their disposal in their own little "community" right there in the one facility. Of course, not all can afford the luxurious ones..my mom sure can't. She's thinking of coming out this way to the one I mentioned.. also very nice, just scaled down. But it's perfect for her. She'll have plenty of activities, social life, trips and travel, they stay really busy and have a wonderful staff. Mom's a real go-getter still at 80 and stubbornly independent ! She'd succumb of boredom in a nursing home.....she checked this one out and really liked it a lot (for future reference). I believe I could thoroughly enjoy working at a facility like that.. really allow myself to "get into" these older folks and help make things fun and enjoyable, help keep that pep in their step and a smile on their face.

Don't want to quit dialysis.. couldn't leave my folks there.. but might do some prn at the AL, or part time. Will be checking into it.

nakitamoon · Oct 26, 2002

jnette,,,, Think you would really enjoy working prn,,, in AL a big change from your regular job,,,,,,

renerian,,, I too have had that problem in my alf,,, I have a wide variety of residents,,, those who need help with all ADL's,,, those who are totally independent,,,, I am fortunate,, to have three floors,,, one floor,,, holding no more than 12 residents,, I staff with a CNA 24/7,,,,, My more dependent residents live there,,, or are moved there as thier needs increase,,,,, On the other two floors,,, 30 residents,,, each,, we separate in different dining rooms,,,, according to needs,,,, this way all independent residents are with thier peers,,,, can interact,,,, same on down the line,,,, Activities are planned and scheduled as such,,,, as well,,,, the independent resident,,, goes out shopping,,, to visit other facilties,,, to lunch,,,, the residents,,, unable to do that,,, get activities scheduled to meet thier needs,,,,,

My facility participates in Florida's Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program,,,, It was put into place for those who meet the criteria,,, finaccially,,, and physically,,, It's goal,,, is to allow those residents,,, for lack of money,, unable to live at home due to something,,,, that really isn't appropriate for skilled nursing,,, to live in assisted living,,,, age in place,,,,, I at this moment have 31 residents on this program,,,, so we provide much more care,,, assistance than retirement center,,,, I find my independent residents have more tolerance and acceptance for those less independent,, when they have been with them,,, through the decline,,,

I'm sure I have more to say,,, but haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet,,,,,,, lol can't think!

Thanks for getting this thread moving,,,,,

~~kitamoon

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 27, 2002

Sounds like ALFs are better managed in other parts of the country than here in Oregon. I worked for a corporation that never let me have more than 20 hours a week in one building, so I ran 2 and at one point 3 buildings at a time to make a fulltime job out of it. The problem with this was, between delegation, staff training and supervision, assessments, admissions, service plans, and dealing with Senior Services and the ombudsman on a frequent basis, 20 hours wasn't half enough to do a good job, and our survey results proved it. In Oregon, state surveys of ALFs aren't much different from those in nursing homes, and the standards you're held to are getting tougher every year. On top of that, one of my buildings housed about 10 residents who desperately needed nursing home care, but not one of the 4 administrators I worked with in that building over the course of 13 months had the "cojones" to tell those residents' families they were no longer appropriate for AL. I decided I worked too damned hard for my license to risk it this way, and went back to LTC.

nakitamoon · Oct 27, 2002

mjlrn,,,, In Florida,,, we have a state survey every two years,,,, As we are fully licenesed with ECC,,,, (extended congreget care),,,, we have a monitor,,, q four months,,, & as we participate in the Medicaid Waiver Assisted Living program,,, I have case managers q month,,,, State monitor,,,q six months,,,,,

Every legislative session,,, we get more and more regulated,,, though the state doesnt' classify assisted living as helthcare faciilty,,,, I see it in the future,,,,, We already do above and beyond what is required per state,,, so when they do change the laws,,, we are ready!,,,,,

Have been through two state surveys,,, since taking the job,,, first surveys that the assisted living has had NO tags!,,, and the state coming quarterly / q six months,,, Just like anohter day,,,, Don't stress over it,,,,,,

till next time ~kitamoon

soapynurse@adel · Nov 4, 2002

Good morning!!!

I'm so glad to have found this forum. Sounds like people are or have experienced the same things I have.

I just recently left my job as the health promotions coordinator for Outlook Pointe. I was there for two years. My boss had created a hostile work atmosphere with recruitment for my job going on as far back as March. Hmmmmmm. Anyway, whenever I would go on vacation, she would always try to admit someone who was either inappropriate or who didn't have the required paper work. Her take on this was that it was her job to bring them in no matter how they look!!!!

Again the old butting of heads with administration who only cares about filling the beds and nursing who has to care for these people and be their advocate. She had come up with an on-call policy that involved only me with no support from other leadership, yet she always preached team work. Heck, she certainly didn't look up the definition of that did she?

I could go on, and on, but won't. I have taken this opportunity to get some rest, look for another job, and take a class. I'm taking an on-line palliative care course with University of South Florida. Will be going to a nursing recruitment fair at JMU this week. Wish me luck.

My ideal dream would be to buy the place out where I worked, hire all my own handpicked staff, and have a blast while staying within regs, etc. I know it can be done.

Thanks for listening.

Alice

linco · Jan 4, 2003

Hi! I am also an Oregon Nurse who works in AL. And I have to agree with mjlrn.....I work 3 AL's and am allowed 12/12/10 hours at them....which is definately not enough time! All I have time to do is the bare minimum, which is scary when it comes to my license; if things are left undone because I did not have time to review everything that everyone is doing....I could get into big trouble. I also have fibromyalgia/CFS....so some days are pretty hard. I do the best I can and pray a lot! I don't get much time to spend with the patients/residents as I am too busy with paperwork, which isn't good. I do love nursing though, but because of the fibro I cannot do the on my feet/running stuff anymore, so I get to do the sit more and do more paperwork stuff. But I can't complain....well, I could....but who would want to see that...hehehehe. You all have an awesome day!!

Linda RN

Oregon

Kayzee · Jan 5, 2003

I've just recently begun working in AL. I like it. There's more freedom than health center in nursing home. Tried med-surg at a teaching hosp., but I don't want to work my --- off even tho more $. I like the relationships you develop with your residents .Im a primary nurse for 30 residents. Chat more soon. :)

dkp71999 · Jan 16, 2003

I am applying to become an assistive living wellness nurse. I am working part time as a supervisor at a nursing home right now. How much would I expect to start at? Thanks.