repeating parrot

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I started working at a new nursing home recently. They have been orienting me to different halls. On the one hall I worked over the weekend, there was an intresting sight. This little old lady who speaks only Italian had a stuffed parrot. It was attached to the footboard of her bed. I was told her family bgought it in for her. It has some type of voice activated recorder in it. Every time she says something it will repeat it back. All the ladies in this four bed room have dementia. They are constantly calling out the craziest things. The parrot will repeat what's said several times. It is hillarious to go in there and hear this. At first I thought this might be a bad thing. Then the staff was talking and they say the ladies have conversations with the parrot. It may very well be comforting for them to think someone is listening to them. Even if it is just their own voice being played back. You always have those residents who are always calling out begging for an answer. Most times the staff will just ignore them. Maybe something like this could be helpful. I was wondering if anyone has any similiar experiences or ideas about this.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

Can you turn it off at night and nap time?

It wouldn't bother me per say but if one other person in the room seems bothered, I'd lower its volume. I'd also check to see that it doesn't contain parts that can be dangerous.

My Mom has such a parrot in her kitchen as a toy for the grandkids. It gets boring after a while. If the pts still get a kick out of it- says something,

We have doll therapy in our Alzheimers unit with a realistic looking and feeling baby doll, The patients feed it, rock it, and try to nurse it!!! It calms them and keeps them quiet.

I'm all for accessories!!!

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

I know exactly what your talking about---husbands grandma has the exact same toy...all the grandkids love it. What a site that must be seeing the lil old ladies talking to it, some in English-some in Italian...Love it..

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

Could also be just the thing to keep staff from saying the wrong thing to a patient!!!

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Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.

I'd love to put it in my favorite little old ladies' room. With all the strange stuff she says.. and her favorite catchphrase "S**tty S**tty Bang Bang!!" oh man the things that parrot would repeat! :yeah:

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Just make sure you're not laughing AT the residents....could be construed as abuse.

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Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.

Actually the one laughing the hardest after her 'catchphrases' is the resident herself. So I can't help but laugh along with her. :) If something makes them laugh or smile, I'm not going to just stand there like a lump, I'm going to smile along with them. :yeah:

I would never make fun of a resident. I love and respect them too much. :heartbeat

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