LTC clinical fun

Published Nov 13, 2008

josh1974, LPN

70 Posts

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

Just shooting this out there, I'm sure lots of ya have experienced similar sits. I'm almost through my 1st semester clinical at a LTC. One of the residents that is a "problem" due to dementia, being 90 ish, tends to scream alot, overly medicated but less now, which increased the screaming! Getting to my story, I just happened to help her one morning eating breakfast, she takes in maybe 50 calories a day!! As I sat and tried to feed her, and tried to understand what the heck she was saying, she grabbed my hand and gripped it with her withered little hand. She is usually bent over in her W/C but she sat up a bit and after we "talked" a little she began taking some food, then she grabbed the spoon and began feeding herself, not much but a start. It's amazing when you actually talk to someone and give em a bit of attention how they can improve. OK, so she hasn't really improved much but she has a small bit. For the last 3 weeks myself and another ns have been showering her with attention when possible and there is definately a difference. Her speech has improved, doesn't scream as much and so on. I hope this kind of post helps some folks that are saying "what did I get into?" just show compassion when ya can and then throw in the science part too. :) I know this is a bit of a ramble, but I just wanted share. PS, my resident also asked me to go on a date!! I love this stuff!