Is this ethical?

chtzu, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2016

Depends on how many naps. I think one is okay. But if too long/frequent, they'd stay up at night and could develop sleeping disorders.

Fiona59 · Oct 31, 2016

(In the US, there is such a thing as a durable power of attorney for healthcare, and it's much more common than actual guardianship.)

Two separate animals in Canada

elkpark · Oct 31, 2016

Two separate animals in Canada

Yes, two different countries, with lots of differences between them.

pumpkinspice · Oct 31, 2016

I'm in canada

TriciaJ, RN · Oct 31, 2016

I'm in canada

So you want to research the POA laws. What are the limitations to them? Can the POA demand any ridiculous thing and you have to do it?

pumpkinspice · Oct 31, 2016

Yes, that's what I'll do. Thank you:)

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2016

Actually, I think it is abuse.

beckysue920 · Oct 31, 2016

â€‹For me, personally, this would be abuse!

Is the POA a sadist who gets off on controlling this little lady?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 31, 2016

If she were taking a 30 minute nap every hour, staying awake and confused all night she might need a medical evaluation to determine if there is a medical cause to excessive daytime sleepiness. (Such as too many day naps)

Are you alone? What do the nurses advise? How many naps? It seems this demand is unrealistic and not within the medical requests/consents of a healthcare proxy.

First discuss with the nurses and/or administration to have a unified plan of action to the family members demands. If you were the nurse I'd say contact administration, risk management/legal, ethics committee to clarify exactly what a health care proxy role is in such a situation . A brief morning and late afternoon nap can be refreshing especially if the mind is overworked with stimulation and compounded by dementia.

I googlec and found an interesting article. The first was demands for inappropriate intervention (education and listening solved the issue if not the legal department would have become involved). The second was confusion and requests based upon change in status. A team review of the clients care and explaining what happened, the likely cause, and what the immediate plans were put everyone at ease

pumpkinspice · Oct 31, 2016

Thanks for input

DeeAngel · Oct 31, 2016

I would consider that abuse to not let someone like that nap. Sounds like the POA wants to get their money's worth by demanding what is pretty much 1:1 care.

Roman1 · Oct 31, 2016

Unfortunately I have experienced this also with some families. The family/ responsible party want the resident up for all activities. How I have dealt with it is by telling the responsible party that the resident has rights. If the resident refuses to go to an activity and wants to nap that is their right. Now if the resident just wants to sleep all day, that is different story. The person can not be allowed to sleep all day. Can you or your DON speak with the responsible party and reach some kind understanding, that is in the best interest of the resident?

I see too many families that do not consider what is best for their loved one. A lot of the time it is because, they are in denial of the change in mental or health status. This is were education by nursing is needed. Get the social worker involved as well.

I have a situation right now with a skilled resident who had mitral and aortic valve replacement. The family does not want her to have any thing for pain but Tylenol, and that is not giving her the relief she needs. What I really want to say to the family is how about you have your sternum cut open and see how you feel! But I would never do that. So the MD and DON are going to speak to the family member. Hope the situation gets better for you.