Spending time with Residents?

yousoldtheworld · Feb 5, 2011

Depending on the shift and the facility, sometimes.

At my facility, through the week most of our kids go to school or workshop through the week. On day shift, once you have everyone up and bathed and dressed, you sometimes have a little time to spend with those who are still home.

Similarly, on 2nd shift, when we come it at 2, not everyone is home from school/workshop yet, so once your showers are done you might have a little time before dinner.

On 3rd shift, on nights we are fully staffed, I might have a little time to chat with a few of the kids who are awake. I will usually do my books (charting) in one of the rooms and just sit by one of the residents while I do them.

Geriatric facilities are a little different, though, since most of them are home all day. An obvious answer is that you can do those things while you care for them. Chat with them while washing, dressing, bathing them, feeding, etc.

A lot has to do with time management, but in most cases, unless you're working home health or something similar, you won't have large chunks of time for just sitting and chatting, unfortunately.

I do often go in on my days off and spend an hour or two just visiting with some of them...I might read a book, hold some of the little ones, and just spend a little time with a few residents at a time. It doesn't take that much time out of my day off, and it makes me feel better about the rushed days.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2011

Yea it totally depends on the facility. I think you get to spend a lot of time with a resident in the evening time b/c things are a lot more calm & subdued.

LaterAlligator · Feb 5, 2011

On 2nd shift I sometimes do, so I'll use that time to do nail care and chat with whoever I'm working on. I work in a dementia facility, so 2nd shift can get iffy with the residents sundowning. But a lot of them are happy just to have someone sit and hold their hand., so I try to do that as much as possible.

cdicapua, CNA · Feb 10, 2011

Night shift is the best time in a ltc, I talk to my residents who want to talk. Many can't sleep while I am doing care, I will linger in the rooms and hang up the clothes that were left out or label the creams in their draw. I look at the pictures and start asking questions and they do like to talk. The ones with dementia don't like to sleep. Last night we had a new resident and she cried all night, I went into her room after rounds she was calling for her Moma, I said I was there, and stroked her back and gave her a hug, and she fell asleep. It was one of those moments when you are glad you do this for a living.

On the day shift I always talked to them about their children. When they don't want to do face washing or teeth brushing I reminice with them about when there children were little and they needed to wash etc. It always seems to spark something in their memory and they become for the most part agreeable

Chamorrita671 · Feb 11, 2011

I'm certified as a nursing assistant, but I have yet to get a job as one... due to the fact that I am in school still. Anyway, I'll answer your question based on my clinical experience and my constant volunteer work at the nursing home. :) Yes, I spend time with my residents when I get the chance to do so. It is always so busy and hectic, so when I get a moment to myself... I will go to this particular gentleman's room and check on him. As a professional in healthcare... we are not supposed to have favorites, BUT sometimes we just take a liking to some more than others. Every time I volunteer there, I make an attemp to see him... speak with him for a few minutes, talk, watch television, laugh, and just have a good time. I'm only 21 years old and he's an older gentleman. He is so dear and there is so much that I have learned. Senior citizens have so much knowledge and wisdom... something I can only hope to have when I am up in age. It's a great learning experience!

cdicapua, CNA · Feb 11, 2011

I am responding to the statement that Senior Citizen have so much to offer. It is wonderful that you feel that way. Many times I think the aides I work with that are young don't realize how important these Seniors are. They helped shape all that is good in our country. They are the salt of the earth and should be honored for all they have done. They worked hard all their lives and now they are old, sick, and need us to care for them and respect them. That elderly gentleman is lucky to have someone like you to visit him.

nurse2b013 · Feb 11, 2011

I got so attached to several residents during my clinicals, and I miss them now! Maybe that is not professional, but I can't help it! Some of them are so sweet...they remind me of my long-deceased grandmother. I found that they really appreciated when I simply stopped in to say hello or maybe chat for a minute or two. Whatever I can do to make their days brighter, I'll do it!

Of course these senior citizens have much wisdom and life experience to offer. What made me so sad, however, were the ones who are now virtually trapped in a degenerating body, with barely any way to communicate. It's sad to realize that all these people led full lives, had families, and cannot share that with anyone. And many of them used to be nurses, professors, lawyers, etc... :crying2: I feel so badly for them.

Queen Tiye, CNA · Feb 11, 2011

what great inspiration:heartbeat . . . i'm really looking forward to the opportunity to provide care and support.

i've heard that everything in ltc isn't perfect, but it's great when care givers persist in reaching out with compassion and encouragement:nurse:

Thirdwatch · Feb 16, 2011

Nope, I work at a hospital and wish I had enough time to listen to their coversation. The entire shift, we're running like chickens without a head.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

I got so attached to several residents during my clinicals, and I miss them now! Maybe that is not professional, but I can't help it! Some of them are so sweet...they remind me of my long-deceased grandmother. I found that they really appreciated when I simply stopped in to say hello or maybe chat for a minute or two. Whatever I can do to make their days brighter, I'll do it!
Of course these senior citizens have much wisdom and life experience to offer. What made me so sad, however, were the ones who are now virtually trapped in a degenerating body, with barely any way to communicate. It's sad to realize that all these people led full lives, had families, and cannot share that with anyone. And many of them used to be nurses, professors, lawyers, etc... I feel so badly for them.

I still get attached to residents too :redbeathe:redbeathe . That's why I find it hard to leave jobs, b/c I like the residents there, but the facilities are nightmares!

Queen Tiye, CNA · Feb 20, 2011

thank you for the responses,

as i learn more in class, i realize that care time is the best time to find out how the resident is feeling and perhaps give words of encouragement. lotioning will give me time for a quick massage.

do you ever have time to give massages? :nurse: