Help with a resident....

[Jitter]

I work daily with dementia patients,and let me just say I love my job,and my residents,they make my day and I really want them to be happy and as healthy as possible.One of my residents(a female),is just the sweetest woman ever,the problem is that she has long fingernails,and lately she has been "digging herself out",sorry I know it's gross but,I have tried to get her to let me clip her nails,she won't have it,so I offered to scrub her nails to make them "pretty",she said no,and she gave me THAT look,you know the look you get right before they knock you off the chair...so one night after putting on her pj's and helping her brush her teeth,I said let's wash your hands,she said,why they are not dirty and backed away from me:(I'm worried that she will get sick from the feces under nails,surely someone has had this problem and can give me some help.She has been treated for her constipation,and she's back on track in that area but the nail problem is driving me nuts!Please and thank you for some advice!

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

If the patient is refusing to have something done, it is her right to do so.

I completely understand where you are coming from. Usually what I do is say something like "Oh my it looks like your hands are a little dry, would you mind if we soak them for a while in some warm soapy water and then lotion them up". During this time you can clean underneath them with an orangestick (i forgot what it was called). I would NOT trim her fingernails.

A co-worker of mine trimmed someones nails because they were incredibly long and the family was so upset claiming that the nurse had destroyed "her essence".

Hope this helps!

[Jitter]

Thank you,I'll keep trying,patience,patience,patience!

[systoly]

THANK YOU Jitter

oral- and nail care are all time pet peeves of mine

so i love to read posts like this

since your patient is receptive to oral care, i have high

hopes for your success with nail care

how about asking the activity department to put on a

"pretty nails" contest and you could be this residents coach

and help her get ready

[Jitter]

Thanks systoly,I was thinking about that today,maybe if she saw all the other residents soaking their nails she wouldn't feel like she was being singled out,or maybe she feels like she's being picked on.Thank you for your advice,and for taking the time to post back:)