I work on a Dementia/Alzheimer's unit in a LTC facility. Most of the nursing staff is friendly and patient with the confused residents, but one nurse in particular is neither. She is an older nurse, been at this facility for a long time. She's gruff, rude, and can be downright mean!
She completely goes against all of the therapeutic and respectful treatment guidelines that go with geriatric dementia patients. She argues with the confused residents about trivial things and attempts to forcefully bring them "back to reality" (which isn't going to happen...). This upsets the residents, frustrates her, and she then makes snotty comments.
On one occasion, during dinner, a resident was having trouble communicating due to forgetting words. Res: "I want some.. uhh.. some.. some.. You know!" and pointed in a general direction. Nurse: "No. I don't know. What do you want? You'll have to tell me. You'll never get what you want if you can't spit it out." and walked off.
Another occasion. A resident was nonsensically rambling, but directing the conversation towards the nurse. The nurse started to walk away. The res said angrily "Well, aren't you listening to me?" The nurse said "No. I'm not. I can't understand a thing you say," and kept walking.
She frequently refers to a resident as "orifice," (the resident's name is somewhat similar) when she knows very well what the resident's name really is.
She's told a resident he was a "jackass."
A resident was having trouble eating meals, however ate the occasional sweets her daughter brought. This nurse told the daughter to "stop bringing that crap" so the resident would eat her meals.
She often tells the residents "I don't care what you want." pertaining to a variety of different things like where to sit in the dining room, when to go to bed, regarding taking meds and cares, etc.
Much more, but that's all I can think of at the moment..
Many nurses have reported her behaviors and each time she is "counseled," but the behavior continues.. What would you do in this situation?
