The nursing home where I am employed has several units for different purposes. We have a rehab unit for temporary patients who are healing from surgery--knee, hip, etc surgery. They are not sufferers of dementia or alzhiemers etc All of them are in their right mind.
This elderly lady in particular pulls her call light in very short periods of time, all night long almost during my entire shift--sometimes the moment you just walk out the door she pulls her call light again to ask you for something very trite. She always wants a bedpan to urinate. It's like she wants a bedpan for every drop of urine in her bladder. :angryfireNot to mention she wears a brief. There is never even that much urine in the bedpan. IMO the lady is being spiteful and trying to give CNAs a hard time.
If you don't answer her call light promptly, she will pretend that she is asleep and not answer you--about 1 1/2 minute later she pulls the call light again. She does this persistently. One night I did not get ANYTHING done at all.
From my experiences there is really nothing you can do about this, but answer the call light everytime. Which is really another disadvantage to being a CNA, there is not much support on our behalf when it comes to things like this mainly because we don't have a union. And it would be a bad idea to suggest or imply to a resident (especially the ones in their right mind) to not pull their call light so much, because they will tell their family and DON, and the CNA will be written up or terminated.
I wish there was something that could be done in cases like this.
All really good advice! I'd also get the family involved. They should know how Mom or Dad is acting. For the most part...I bet they already know and deal with this at home!
Maybe they can talk to the resident to see what is really bothering them or give them a "talking to" . We always try to get the family involved in matters like this. Often times we are at wits end and don't know what else to do and this really works.
It sounds mean, but it's the truth- sometimes lonely people are the worst. My job is to help deal with your medical problems (and those of 6 other people), keeping you company is not on my priority list. :icon_roll
As busy as we are, I hope that instilling worthiness never leaves our lips patient to patient. Just my 2 cents worth.
I also agree the family should become aware and involved with the solution.
What nursing home doesn't have its share of call lighters?
When I worked home health, I learned what some homebound patients do for fun. You know that LifeAlert thing some of them wear around their neck or wrist? I was visiting a patient's home one time and they said (almost mischieviously) "Watch this!" and pushed the button. The nice man came over the speaker and said "Mr. So-and -so, we got an alert you called us, are you okay?"
The patient (with a big grin) hollered, "Yea, I'm okay, I just wanted to see if this was working!"
"Yes, sir, it is working. Have a nice day."
The patient laughed and laughed and thought it was soooo funny.
When you go into her room spend a little extra time making sure she has an empty bladder, the kleenex and water are within reach, the pillows are fluffed as so, and she's tucked in the way she likes, and maybe she'll give you a bit of a break.
I would also make it a point to round on her hourly and when you leave say "I'll poke my head back in in about an hour to see if you need anything."
I would also like to point out that if I were using the bed pan, I'd be on the call-light every 5 minutes too. Honestly, I can't see how people can fully empty their bladders on one of those things. It seems just too awkward!
The patient does have a roomate so she is not alone.
I'll do the things everyone suggested, like assuring her that I will be back to check on her. I'll see how that works for me. Well...if I still have a job after this meeting...::shivering::
And it would be a bad idea to suggest or imply to a resident (especially the ones in their right mind) to not pull their call light so much, because they will tell their family and DON, and the CNA will be written up or terminated. 
CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN
3,734 Posts
All really good advice! I'd also get the family involved. They should know how Mom or Dad is acting. For the most part...I bet they already know and deal with this at home!
Maybe they can talk to the resident to see what is really bothering them or give them a "talking to" . We always try to get the family involved in matters like this. Often times we are at wits end and don't know what else to do and this really works.