home health aide - what to do during down time!

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i'm in a BSN program and during summers i work as a HHA. i like my job but it can get very boring during the down time when the patient is asleep, and sometimes it is frustrating that it's only me and the patient and if my care notes aren't clear, i don't know what i'm supposed to do next.

what do most HHAs think about all the down time you get on the job? i have friends in my program who work as CNAs in big hospitals and all they talk about is how rushed they feel all the time and how they never get a break! ha! all i do is get a break!

i'm just wondering if anyone has tips on breaking up the monotony... or if this is just something that's particular to *my* patients and agency.

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Specializes in Long term care.

Some agencies(and depending on each client) there may be a list of chores that need to be done if the client is asleep. Even still, you will probably still have lots of down time!

This is one reason why I don't do homecare anymore! I need to be moving!

You can:

~bring activity books to read and search for ideas for fun things to do with your client when they are awake.

~clean out your purse :)

~bring a doodle pad and do some doodling.

~sit near an open window within earshot of the client and take in some fresh air & sunshine.

~read

My point is, there really isn't much TO DO unless you have assigned chores because you need to be available to the person who you're caring for.

So hang in there and enjoy it while you can.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I bring my kindle and read or play Sudoku or Candy Crush. Sometimes I do my homework. Make sure you know how to set up a mobile hot spot on your phone, as old folks don't always have wifi. Bring your laptop, textbook, nail file, and lotion. Make a to do list, check your emails, message your friends/family. Look through some of their cookbooks and get recipe ideas. I always bring my backpack just in case. If your not a student, you might as well go back to school because home health can have lots of down time.

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Specializes in hospice.

Do you know how to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, etc.?

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I would clean. Dust, organize the linens, walk their dog, do all my charting for the week, set up my charts for the next week. But on a 10 hour shift you can only do so much cleaning. I always brought books and puzzle books too. Bring CEU's to work on. :)

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Thanks for the ideas! I usually bring my smartphone (w/ charger), NCLEX flash cards and a book. Never thought of bringing puzzle books or knitting - good ideas. Any recommendations for types of puzzle books?

One of my big pet peeves is the clients who just watch TV... I try not to watch TV outside of work and it feels so bizarre!

Oh and just to clarify, I am a nursing student in a BSN program, this is a summer job. I *love* my patients and enjoy the 1 on 1 experience with them, but the down time can drive me crazy!

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, Neuro/Trauma, Dialysis.

Start studying for next semester! Bring a pharm. flip book. There are tons of NCLEX apps for your phone. Also dig out your skills textbook. I always find that interesting to look through. Read them and learn new skills and if you need a visual aide youtube the skill and watch a demonstration.

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Everyone here is commenting things that you can do for yourself but the person I work for tries to make sure I'm literally standing all day. Her son is wheelchair bound and nonverbal and while I do talk to him he is unable to hold a conversation. The mother has me do weird chores I really don't want to do. She tries to have my watch her other kids, takes my food and talks all the live long day. Any advice on setting boundaries?

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