Noncomplaint ALF resident

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Have a resident who is basically noncomplaint in all aspects. Knows it all and self diagnoses. We'll skip the mental issues the staff is in agreement about. Never comes to the Dinning Room (DR) on time. Will come in after meal time with others in tow wanting a meal for herself and them. No matter how many times you inform her it's time to go to DR, she does her own thing, ie makes a telephone call immediately after you remind her. It is a problem for the dietary staff. Basically college and high school students.

DON says remind her and if she's not in the DR go ask her if she wants a tray bought to her room. Well, it might sound like a little thing to do, but the CNA is in the DR feeding and the nurse is doing the med pass. So walk down to her room from the DR, then if she wants the food on a tray, go back to the DR get the meal and then back down to the room.

When she didn't show up to the dinning room by 6pm had the CNA put her meal on a tray and took it to her room. She refused to have the meal in her room and wanted in the DR. Met her in the hallway and said that dinner is served at 5:30PM, it is now 6:10pm and they are done serving and going to start clean up. She just doesn't care.

I have left several messages for social services about this. The dietary staff is fustrated. Where can the line be drawn without violating residents' rights. One of the rights' listed in the facilities residents' rights is to be served in the DR at the designated hours.

Any suggestions?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Lock the dining room door when mealtime is over. Tell her once it's time for dinner, but don't beg. Keep a few boxed lunches in the fridge for occasions like this. Oh, and don't drop what you're doing to get it to her either. If the nurse or CNA is doing something more important, she'll have to wait until that particular task is done.

On the flip side, why does everyone have to eat at the exact time? Many people have been on non-traditional schedules their whole lives. It doesn't sound like this is the case with her, but it's something to think about in general. Keep a few boxed lunches for anyone who doesn't make it to the dining room for whatever reason. That way no one is playing short order cook or waitress. People do have the option of a balanced nutritious meal. (It may not be the one they want, but I bet they'll be more willing to go when the hot one is being served.)

Don't play the game. She's nothing but a classic manipulator.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.
Have a resident who is basically noncomplaint in all aspects. Knows it all and self diagnoses. We'll skip the mental issues the staff is in agreement about. Never comes to the Dinning Room (DR) on time. Will come in after meal time with others in tow wanting a meal for herself and them. No matter how many times you inform her it's time to go to DR, she does her own thing, ie makes a telephone call immediately after you remind her. It is a problem for the dietary staff. Basically college and high school students.

DON says remind her and if she's not in the DR go ask her if she wants a tray bought to her room. Well, it might sound like a little thing to do, but the CNA is in the DR feeding and the nurse is doing the med pass. So walk down to her room from the DR, then if she wants the food on a tray, go back to the DR get the meal and then back down to the room.

When she didn't show up to the dinning room by 6pm had the CNA put her meal on a tray and took it to her room. She refused to have the meal in her room and wanted in the DR. Met her in the hallway and said that dinner is served at 5:30PM, it is now 6:10pm and they are done serving and going to start clean up. She just doesn't care.

I have left several messages for social services about this. The dietary staff is fustrated. Where can the line be drawn without violating residents' rights. One of the rights' listed in the facilities residents' rights is to be served in the DR at the designated hours.

Any suggestions?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

She is trying to hang on to some of her independence. Maybe you could compromise with her in some way. It is very hard to give up control of your own schedule. Be firm but understanding and patient when a plan is agreed upon.

Have a great holiday.

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What NurseyBaby said. Classic manipulation and power games.

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Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.

opps didn't mean to post x2. Merry Christmas!

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Could you include her in the pre-meal prep work? Maybe have her come down to the DR before supper and lay the placemats out on the table as "gee we really need your help?" then she will actually be in the DR at the time supper is served.

When I worked in the Nursing Home we had a little lady who put away all of our linnens in all of our linnen rooms, it was in her mind her job and she took it VERY seriously.... where as really it was a way to keep her near the nursing station since she was a known wanderer.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

Your in a real dilemma here- Ideally you should let her eat when she wants, Unfortunately your facility doesn't have the staffing for this "luxury". You aren't getting the support you need from your DON or SW. You have tried compromises and this client is unreceptive. It sounds like she is expressing a need- one that your facility can't meet. Can you ask the kitchen staff to leave her a meal on a tray wrapped in Saran Wrap ( or equivalent) with her name on it?

We have a 97 yr old Holocaust survivor with no family. He is frequently late for lunch because he walks slowly and just can't seem to start early enough, we just leave him his tray and he is fine with that.

I would approach this woman and gently explain the facilities limitations and abilities, and offer again some compromise.

I WOULD NOT BRING HER A TRAY TO HER ROOM. I think it's important to eat in the Dining Hall, for so many reasons. We only allow one woman a try to her room- she hasn't left it in 25 years- even for family events. She is terrified that she will not be allowed back in- something from her past. The others that asked for this special treatment are told that we can't. They are welcome to eat at the cafe next door or the Hot Dog stand at the corner if they can't make it to meals.

I wish we could be more flexible... Some pts take their tray or some food to their rooms and we let them.

Good luck with this- it will turn our OK

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