Overbearing pt family

[nursestacy73]

Just wondering if there is any kind of diagnosable syndrome for families of patients with chronic illness who develop an overbearing/controlling role in their loved-ones care? For example, in the hospital where I work, there is a sister of a geriatric patient who manually checks the pt for impaction daily (or more). She is obsessed with the detailed aspects of the things being done for her sister. Her sister resides at the nursing home, but she feels the need to stay with her around the clock, despite the care given the pt by professionals. How specific? you might ask... she blow dries the pubic hair of the pt after each void. That's just one example of how far out this lady goes. And I've also encountered other families while working elsewhere that may be labelled a "Problem Family" because of the lengths they go to when it comes to their loved one. I'm sure anyone in the healthcare field knows what I mean... not just the concerned wife, or the doting the son...but the WAY FAR OUT THERE bunch.

Any way, just wanted to know if there is a NAME for behavior such as this (other than bizarre, inappropriate, et c).

[nursestacy73]

Notice how she hasn't been back to update, either?

Just had a chance to log back on and read the helpful responses.

The fact of the matter is, I only encounter this pt and family when the pt is hospitalized. The nursing home deals with this day in and day out. Upon the next hospitalization, I have every intention of utilizing some of the useful advice to accurately document the inappropriate behaviors (which I believe is the first step in helping this stop) as well as the opportunity to speak directly with the offensive sister.

I do appreciate all the helpful advice. I am printing a copy of this thread and putting it in my clipboard for future reference.

[nursestacy73]

Reaching for the psych nursing book . . .. . . How about:

Care giver role strain r/t . . .as evidenced by. . .

Inefective family coping r/t. . . .

Altered Family processes r/t. . .

Dysfunctional greiving r/t. . .

Knowlege deficit r/t. . .

Just a few thoughts. These are all official NANDA Dx's, therefore appropiate to treat with a care plan. Take action- speak up for your patient. What about maintaining her dignity. Offer powder instead of blowdrying to manage moisture. It's much less irritating, not to mention less humiliating. The bowel checks are just inappropiate.

Speak up- be an advocate. Get management involved.

~Jen

Your input is extremely helpful. If this pt is ever under my care again, I will certainly put this to use!!!

Thanks for your USEFUL, and HELPFUL advise.

[nursestacy73]

Check out this article in your internet search engine - The Disturbingly Demanding Daughter: A Case Study in Ethics and Law

Marshall B. Kapp, JD, MPH

Very interesting. I will definately get a copy of that to the nurses at the nursing home where this pt resides full-time.

Thank you!

[fab4fan]

Just had a chance to log back on and read the helpful responses.

The fact of the matter is, I only encounter this pt and family when the pt is hospitalized. The nursing home deals with this day in and day out. Upon the next hospitalization, I have every intention of utilizing some of the useful advice to accurately document the inappropriate behaviors (which I believe is the first step in helping this stop) as well as the opportunity to speak directly with the offensive sister.

I do appreciate all the helpful advice. I am printing a copy of this thread and putting it in my clipboard for future reference.

If you're aware that this is going on at the ECF, you still have a duty to report it. You can always make an anonymous report to the Office of Aging. And you can still tell them what happened at your facility. As you stated, it's happened more than once at your own facility, so the likelihood that it's going on at the ECF is pretty high.

[nursestacy73]

I can't beleive this is a true story. First of all, it is way out there. Blow drying pubic hair? Checking for impaction? THis poster has such a low post count, coming on here and posting something so....odd....

I can't beleive that ANY nurse would see this happen and let it be and simply call it "overbearing". what happened to a duty to report suspected abuse?

What is it that makes you disbelieve my experience? Is it all the things you've seen in your 3 months of nursing?

[AtlantaRN, RN]

Munchousens? by proxy?

atlantarn

[state_nurse]

I have encountered a similar situation once before, the physician was aware and also the director of nursing but no one had any truly helpful advice. There have been many good suggestions here, I am very glad I chose to read this thread. I can only suggest that if in your heart of hearts it is wrong than surely it is wrong and someone somewhere knows a route of correction.