Not sure how to handle this resident

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

I have a female resident on my hall, in her late 40's or so. She is fine mentally, understands things, etc. I'm not sure why she is in the facility though. Depression, maybe.

Anyway, when I come into her room she is almost always masturbating. That's fine with me, that's her home, whatever, where else can she do it. However, she will keep doing it or start, if she isnt already, with me in the room (other CNAs also). Or turn on her call light when she knows we are just outside the door so we can "walk in on her". I have talked with her several times and explained that I'm not comfortable with that. Later, I told her that it was disrespectful and is offensive to me. She is doing it on purpose, maybe to get a reaction. I'm starting to get angry about it.

It is common knowledge throughout the facility that she does this. I've heard other aides joke about not touching the call light without gloves on, take her some hand sanitizer before giving care, etc.

I'm not sure how to handle her. I need some advice! Im going to end up yelling at her or something and I really don't want that.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Wow, that's gross. If she's that young and she's in the facility then she must have some kind of problem. You don't know her diagnosis?

Do you have a special form where you have to document how many times this behavior occurs on your shift?

We have a couple men who are sexually inappropriate, but most of them have dementia. One of them (who I think KNOWS what he's doing), is really bad, and he's always got one hand on his member and the other groping you. We have to "document" it when he does it, although no attempt is made to actually curb his behavior and the CNAs have tried everything.

If she's doing it to get a reaction from you then the best thing is probably to ignore it or tell her "I'll come back when you're done" and walk out.

[caliotter3]

It is your right to inform your supervisor why you will refuse to accept this person as part of your assignment from now on. Since the woman has her mental capacities, her behavior constitutes sexual harassment and you don't have to take it. The facility will either deal with the mentally competent resident or they will deal with you by getting rid of you. Be ready for that possibility.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

Woww... I've never dealt with anyone like that! I say talk to the RN supervisor or DON about the situation.

[eveningsky339, LPN]

We have a resident who behaves this way at least every day, even when his wife is visiting. We keep his curtain pulled, and we clean him up when he's... done. He's also extremely perverted to the female CNAs.

Inform this resident that this behavior is offensive to you and that you will request another assignment if it continues. If it happens again, inform your supervisor that you no longer wish to care for this resident, and that's the end of it (hopefully).

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

Thanks for the input every one! I will be talking to someone tomorrow and see what we can do. I think up until now, no one has really been taking it seriously. It's like a joke and something they just laugh off. I like my facility and hopefully just bringing it up will be enough to get something done.

I appreciate your help!

Dondie

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

I just remembered something. A couple of months ago at my former facility, there was a man who was very perverted to the female CNA's & would make sexual advances towards them, masturbate in front of them, etc.. The way they handled him was that two people would be in the room at all times when giving him care, and he would not act in that manner. Maybe you could see if that could be arranged. Good luck :)

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

She doesn't care how many people are in the room. I have had a talk with her, my partner on the hall has talked with her and she is doing much better. I'm not going to push sexual harrassment since this is about the biggest issue I have right now. It isn't worth my job. I think she's starting to realize that Im not kidding and I won't stand for it.

Eveningsky-I am glad you mentioned it being sexual harrassment. I wasn't looking at it that way. It is a little more empowering to have that information.

She can NOT stand it when someone is mad at her. Fuzzywuzzy, I tried your advice and walked out. Told her I'd come back when she was done. I put her rails up and walked out. She was calling after me apologizing. I haven't had to do much since then.

[CoffeemateCNA]

My facility once had this same problem, too. The DON and administrator had many, many conversations with the resident and let him know that it was completely unacceptable behavior. We were diligent in documenting every time it happened. There were a few other problem behaviors involved as well. The facility fully considered it to be sexual harassment and eventually gave him a 30-day notice and had him transferred to another facility.

The nurses called his girlfriend and told her whenever it was happening. She'd then call his room and chew him out. It sometimes worked. :)

[NM_CNA]

We have a lot of male residents that do the same thing at my facility. None of our nurses or supervisors do anything about it. They just told us to "suck it up and get over it".