Student Nurse with LTC question RE: clothing

OzarksgalCNA · Feb 8, 2009

I've been a CNA in a LTC facility for about 4 months now and a lot of our ladies don't wear bras. We have ladies ranging from 30's to 100, small to big. I think for a lot of them it's easier to go without than having someone put it on them. I'm big chested and know that if my bra is not on right it can be very uncomfortable.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

What do staff members say about it?

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 8, 2009

We don't put a bra on everyone. Some people don't want to wear them, so we powder the underside of the breast instead.

I work second shift, so I do HS care, and all the women who wear bras have red marks from them digging in. Or the entire thing rides up and the breasts hang out the bottom. Or they've gone through the wash so much that the hooks and eyes are all bent and digging into the skin.

soupermom · Feb 8, 2009

The PCT that helped me with the patient, she was telling me how infrequently they get their Depends changed, and sometimes soiled clothing doesn't get changed, and her words were "It's really sad isn't it?" I just looked at her. I didn't know what to say to keep from getting myself in some kind of trouble. My patient has dementia and forgot what room was her own so when I asked her about where her bra was she just said "Well, I don't know, I usually wear one." I didn't see one though. I've just seen those kind that can easy slip over the head and don't have hooks or velco and thought they might be a better choice than nothing or traditional bras. I'll ask them this week but I just wanted to know if it was standard practice for that type of facility. I really feel for these people and I know I couldn't work at a place like this when I'm done with schooling.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 8, 2009

Those over-the-head bras are usually the ones that the breasts fall out the bottom of.

Being understaffed and not having the time to change soiled briefs in a timely manner is much more of a problem than old ladies not wearing bras, if you're looking for something to advocate about.

achot chavi · Feb 8, 2009

They may be older but they burned their bras already and are living a liberated life- deal with it!!!LOL

morte, LPN, LVN · Feb 8, 2009

wearing a bra is a social convention.....the irritation you are seeing could be avoided with an undershirt/tank top

often dont see bras used unless patient asks specifically or family makes request.

Vito Andolini · Feb 8, 2009

Just ask. You don't have to voice your opinion, you're just curious, you're a student, you want to learn all you can.

I think the powder under the breasts is both good and bad. If there's lots of perspiring, maybe a small washcloth under the breasts, that is changed often enough to keep it dry, would be good. I guess some women would like a bra, especially if large-breasted, and some prefer none. But if the nipples are other parts of the breast are irritated by clothing, I'd think a bra could help.

The care of our elderly is sooooo sad, so lacking. It's horrible being dependent at all, at any age, but particularly sad for someone who has presumably been a decent person and is now unable to care for herself and who must rely on others for everything. God, please spare me this torment. I'm so grateful that none of my loved ones, parents, grandparents, well, one aunt, needed to be in a nursing facility. They either died quickly or were cared for at home until the end. It was not easy for their kids and grandkids but we have a big family and have been able to share the load.

animal1993 · Feb 8, 2009

Just ask. You don't have to voice your opinion, you're just curious, you're a student, you want to learn all you can.
I think the powder under the breasts is both good and bad. If there's lots of perspiring, maybe a small washcloth under the breasts, that is changed often enough to keep it dry, would be good. I guess some women would like a bra, especially if large-breasted, and some prefer none. But if the nipples are other parts of the breast are irritated by clothing, I'd think a bra could help.
The care of our elderly is sooooo sad, so lacking. It's horrible being dependent at all, at any age, but particularly sad for someone who has presumably been a decent person and is now unable to care for herself and who must rely on others for everything. God, please spare me this torment. I'm so grateful that none of my loved ones, parents, grandparents, well, one aunt, needed to be in a nursing facility. They either died quickly or were cared for at home until the end. It was not easy for their kids and grandkids but we have a big family and have been able to share the load.

I totally agree. The lack of care that our elderly receive really disgusts me. I also think it's really a shame that most LTC facilities don't or aren't able to pay competitively enough to attract quality nursing staff, etc. I would love to be able to work with the elderly and be able to help change things for them for the better, but unfortunately I know I won't be able to afford to do so after I graduate.

As for the bra issue, I would think that not wearing one would be better than risking trauma to the skin. If it were me, I would just do the best job I could of making sure the patients I was assigned to had the best care I could give them.

achot chavi · Feb 8, 2009

The only problem with powder is inhaling the talc- which is not good for the lungs, just take that into account. If the patient wants powder she gets it.

debRN0417 · Feb 8, 2009

The only problem with not wearing a bra is if the shirt causes the person to have breasts exposed, maybe not just skin, but showing nipple through the material...but it is up to the resident or the residents POA about whether or not to have on a bra. They should decide...nipples or not!