patient romance?

casi, ASN, RN · May 10, 2008

If they are both adults and competent to make decisions for themselves is there really anything that you can do to stop them from forming a relationship?

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · May 10, 2008

There are 2 residents in my nursing home who have been getting progressively intimate with each other. The man (joe) has a girlfriend whom he goes out on pass with every now and then. The lady (jane) was a new admission and ever since she's been here she and him have been talking and getting to know each other. In the beginning it was fine, they were just sitting next to each other and talking in the hallway or the day room. One day the CNA saw jane's hand on joe's leg while they were chatting. When joe was sent to the hospital jane became agitated and in a bad mood the whole shift (which i'm sure had something to do with missing joe). Now I saw Jane and Joe in Joe's room at night when i come onto my shift. LIke last night Joe was lyinig in bed and Jane had her head on Joe's abdomen and they were watching tv in his room! I know this has to stop before something bad happens (pregnancy, rape, abuse, fight with joe's sig. other etc). But i'm not sure how i should be documenting this behavior? Thats where i need help. Has anyone ever had resident's like this? What did you do about it and how was it documented?
Sorry it's quite lengthy!

Are you worried about a geriatric nursing home patient becomming pregnant? Not that age matters with regards to romantic relationships, but are these adults capable of consenting? If so, then facility P&P should be used regarding private time for these residents. If "Joe" is able to make the decision for himself to have a relationship outside his pre-existing one, it is not up to the nursing staff to police it. If this is a psychiatric care facility, I'm guessing that the P&P are pretty specific with regards to patient to patient contact.

Blee

leslie :-D · May 10, 2008

i agree with the other posters.

furthermore, if both are mentally competent, i applaud them and would support them 100%.

another chance for love at this stage in life?

hallelujah!:balloons:

leslie

akanini, MSN, RN · May 10, 2008

I'm only a student but we have been taught that intimacy should be enjoyed at any age and we can't stop patients. Isn't this the case at the LTC facilities?

elkpark · May 10, 2008

I agree; unless there is some legal reason why they would not be free to make their own choices/decisions, it's not really anyone else's business. :)

(I hope "Joe" can handle juggling two lady friends!)

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · May 10, 2008

In agreement with the others.

AprilRNhere · May 10, 2008

Ditto everyone else. Not only is it NOT your job to stop it...it IS your job to provide them privacy IMO. If they are both alert and oriented and consenting...then it's not your place to stop it.

student456 · May 10, 2008

that is too cute! if they want to be together let them....its probably their last chance for a relationship. :) Seperating them would cause them to be more agitated than letting them be together if they are consenting adults

nursiemellie · May 10, 2008

Okay I didn't mean that I should be the one to interfere and stop their relationship, who would want that done to them? My concern was how to document the behavior because the facility does allow these patient relationships but it has to be documented and their family members have to be aware of this situation also. It's the whole CYA thing. They are both alert and oriented x 3, middle aged adults with psychotic problems.

elkpark · May 10, 2008

Well, if your facility has a policy that the relationships have to be documented, then the facility must have a policy on how to document them. Have you asked your charge nurse/supervisor about how to handle this kind of situation?

Bocephus71RN-BSN, BSN, RN · May 10, 2008

its perfectly acceptable, if they are capable of making their own decisions. However, if they have a power of attorney, they have waived that right which many LTC patients have. And someone better be making the POA's aware of this, because they may not be consenting to this behavior. Charges can be brought against the facility and I'd assume staff that allow it to occur. Been down this road before and KNOW that even though some people have their right minds and are capable of making decisions regarding intimacy with someone else, its a bit different if they have POA's that are not receptive to such said intimacy. Had this happen with a Bipolar pt. of child bearing age, and a young man with MS. Its a sticky situation but should be addressed by administration ASAP.