ncamille

Every day? Most LTC's I've worked in did baths twice a week. The one I work at now does them only once a week, and we have a dedicated bath team. It really bugs me. A lot of patients need at least 2-3 times a week. Every day seems excessive, unless the patient requests it.

Boxing Day is the 26th of December. In the U.K., Canada etc. gifts are exchanged on Boxing Day.

TennNurse, Your post is well written and succint. You could take it, as written, to your manager's supervisor. At the very least you could print it up and use it as your resignation letter. It will then be a permanent part of your file. I agree that your sign on bonus will probably never materialize even if you fulfill the contract. So staying there just isn't worth it unless you think being up-front with management might make a change. Of course if you force them to honor what they promised you in the interview, and rectify your evaluations, you will be the only one, and will then be an object of misplaced anger from your coworkers. Good luck.

I've been in geriatrics for 7 years. About half of that in dementia care. It's difficult to give good care to someone who is violent. I'm not happy when I get hurt by a patient. I just keep in mind that I'm invading their space, expecting them to disrobe in front of a stranger, touching them in places only their spouse may have been. I'd be mad too. I also know that almost all of the dementia patients I've worked with could communicate to some degree. Many of them can understand what I say, and can respond in some manner. They just need more patience and repetition of instructions. Even so, I must admit I don't always give the best treatment to the violent patients.

Structured daily activites do help with resident's behavior. Some become agitated because of lack of stimulation, and some feel a sense of uselessness. We have a department that provides activities, and the staff on our unit is responsible for additional activities. We have many choices for patient activities. Our unit includes a kitchen area, there a patient can wash dishes, pour a drink, get an ice cream etc. We have laundry baskets with afghans, towels, socks and baby clothes in them. Some residents really enjoy having home-like tasks to occupy them. We encourage them to read books or magazines if they can. We also read to them occasionally. We have music and television available. The unit also has a collection of lifelike baby dolls, some residents like to hold them. The recreation department comes in several times a day and does individual visits, singing, pet visits etc. Unfortunately, even when we do all we can, there is still a lot of down time with nothing to do but sit and stare.

Fiona59 - I didn't mean to misquote you. There is a type of dementia, Pick's disease, which affects a patient's social skills, and judgment of what is appropriate. That doesn't mean it is the patient's true nature, just that a part of their brain structure, and therefore personality, is now altered and functions incorrectly. I don't believe most violent reactions are a natural part of dementia. I think a lot of violence is a result of a confused, foggy mind and a patient's lack of recognition of the caregiver and environment.

Yes, some patients get IM Ativan PRN. The trend is to reduce restraints, physical or chemical. So in the facility I am in, Ativan is rare. It's a good point that patients schedules are dictated by the unit clock, and that they suffer from a lack of control. This results in lashing out. To be more precise, the question isn't "what did you do to provoke a violent reaction?" but, "what was happening that may have contributed?" I find that if I'm looking for a fight, I can easily find one. But I can easily avoid the fight by returning some control to the patient. Many are resistant, but I have run into very few geri patients that are just plain violent. There is almost always a better way to approach a patient and give care. Sometimes, I just have to do what I have to do. These are the times when I expect to get a pinch or a punch, and if I look from the patient's point of view, these are the times that I deserve it. I don't believe demented patients are showing their true personalities when they are violent. They are confused, don't recognize caregivers and feel threatened. Nothing odd about that.

Hi Van_Ray, Working in geriatrics can be very fulfilling, for the same reason caring for a newborn is fulfilling. Many elderly patients would not survive without their caregivers. When I am able to provide for their needs, and individualize their care to humanize them, I feel like I've done my job. Purple Princess' experience seems to describe dementia patients. Caring for dementia patients is a world away from common geriatrics. Giving care to most dementia patients is a fight. Some dementia patients are unresponsive to your attempts, some respond by biting, pinching, punching, and verbal abuse. It can leave you feeling unappreciated at the very least. It is very sad to see someone change from being a well-groomed, independent, confused person, to being unkempt, incontinent, and combative. My goal with dementia patients is to cause the least amount of stress in keeping them safe and clean. Other geriatric patients do appreciate the help they get, some can be a bit demanding though. It's understandable that they are demanding, most caregivers are overloaded. I try to let them know I am available to them, and that they won't be overlooked. Hope this helps.

It may be some consolation to know that though they may cheat and do well in school, they aren't going to be able to pass their licensing exam in the end.

I've worked a schedule with 3-12's and one 8 hour shift to supplement. That's 41.5 hours. Remember, it's less an hour for lunch, so your getting 11 hours a shift. It's possibly 44 hours a week, or the posting was written carelessly.

I've worked a schedule with 3-12's and one 8 hour shift to supplement. That's 41.5 hours. Remember, it's less an hour for lunch, so your getting 11 hours a shift. It's possibly 44 hours a week, or the posting was written carelessly.

Haha, having been a heart patient myself, I'm more than familiar with basic arrhythmias! Okay, I'll look into that. I'm at a slow point in my education, because I can't go to school full time. So I'm not only looking for an advantage to get into the ED, I also need something to do.

Haha, having been a heart patient myself, I'm more than familiar with basic arrhythmias! Okay, I'll look into that. I'm at a slow point in my education, because I can't go to school full time. So I'm not only looking for an advantage to get into the ED, I also need something to do.

Okay, that makes more sense. I was getting some conflicting information. Thanks

Okay, that makes more sense. I was getting some conflicting information. Thanks