Need some reassurance and advice from a CNA plz.

[Doctah]

Hi! I'm new here, I'm a CNA working in Assisted Living for over three years and I've had my ups and downs a lot and I am good at my job and love it too. I mainly work with residents who have memory loss and other diseases. Recently tho I've been having a rough time there's this one incident which this resident that I am actually very fond of and is very sweet and can actually hold a conversation because her memory isn't really an issue but just health issues she has that makes her need extra attention. Recently she had a fall a few weeks ago and when she came back she's been different and that's normal of course and I've seeen that many times before but this instance was hard for me as I didn't expect her to be that out of it. So like any other night of helping her get ready for bed she is already not herself and becomes agitated and highly confused. She starts saying some really hurtful stuff to me personally in such a malicious way and I can't help but really feel hurt by her comments. In all my years of working I've heard it all and worse and every time I don't pay it much attention. Yet this time it really hurt me emotionally. I already feel unappreciated at my job by our bosses, the company, and the families and to hear a resident that I do also care for, say such rude things to me just really made me feel low. Like what I do isn't enough and it means nothing to any of them at the end of the day. I know I shouldn't take offense and I should brush it off and I definitely will but it's rough right now. I feel as though I'm in a slump. I feel unappreciated by a lot of people at work lately and the work we do as CNAs are rough enough. Every facility has there challenges and I think my facility and the way things are is just really hurting a lot of us employees. I guess I just wanted to hear your guyses thoughts and opinions of ur experiences too. I'm just in a rut of emotions right now and I need some positive talk please

[Wiggly Litchi]

Hi! I'm new here, I'm a CNA working in Assisted Living for over three years and I've had my ups and downs a lot and I am good at my job and love it too. I mainly work with residents who have memory loss and other diseases. Recently tho I've been having a rough time there's this one incident which this resident that I am actually very fond of and is very sweet and can actually hold a conversation because her memory isn't really an issue but just health issues she has that makes her need extra attention. Recently she had a fall a few weeks ago and when she came back she's been different and that's normal of course and I've seeen that many times before but this instance was hard for me as I didn't expect her to be that out of it. So like any other night of helping her get ready for bed she is already not herself and becomes agitated and highly confused. She starts saying some really hurtful stuff to me personally in such a malicious way and I can't help but really feel hurt by her comments. In all my years of working I've heard it all and worse and every time I don't pay it much attention. Yet this time it really hurt me emotionally. I already feel unappreciated at my job by our bosses, the company, and the families and to hear a resident that I do also care for, say such rude things to me just really made me feel low. Like what I do isn't enough and it means nothing to any of them at the end of the day. I know I shouldn't take offense and I should brush it off and I definitely will but it's rough right now. I feel as though I'm in a slump. I feel unappreciated by a lot of people at work lately and the work we do as CNAs are rough enough. Every facility has there challenges and I think my facility and the way things are is just really hurting a lot of us employees. I guess I just wanted to hear your guyses thoughts and opinions of ur experiences too. I'm just in a rut of emotions right now and I need some positive talk please

I've bolded some key parts in your original post.

I love my residents, even when they're not themselves, and even when they say hurtful things. I know, it does hurt because you're doing your very best to take care of them, but please remember that it's not really 'them'. Residents act out for many reasons - it could be that they're depressed, feeling especially under the weather, possible UTI, dementia advancing etc. I don't let them see that their words hurt - you've got to stay cheerful because anger/pain etc. can add to a tense atmosphere.

I know that can be asking a lot sometimes, but when you're feeling under-appreciated, please remember that if the resident was fully cognizant then they would be incredibly appreciative of the care you provide for them.

I appreciate you.