What would you do about a LTC resident like THIS!

[tattooednursie]

Ok . . . she is a/o and confused at times, and says horrible things to the staff, and is out if control! The other day, I was nothing but nice to her. I took care of her every need, even when she rang the call bell every 5 minutes. I was getting tired of it, so I explained that by ringing for me so much she was taking away from other paitents care. and she replied with "Well, you don't take very good care of me. If I could get up out of this chair I could jump on you and KILL you!" I was quite hurt by this statement. That is not all that this particular resident does. She shouts at her roomate, and she goes out into the hall screaming at everyone that goes by, even at night when others are trying to sleep. When you tell her that others are trying to sleep, she only shouts louder. It was very embarassing tonight. At about 7:30 this evening she is scooting herself down the hall SCREAMING "AMANDA, AMANDA!!! You never take care of me! Your a mean mean person, I hate you, and I wish you didn't work here!" All the a/o residents know me by name, so they knew who she was yelling at, and families visisting who know me by name. She was making me sound like a very bad person. She does this to alot of the aides and nurses. WE are nothing but nice to her! Nothing will make her happy. Does anyone have any tips on how to handle residents like this? I am getting frusterated, and feel like I am not doing anything right for her, and I am getting sick of the verbal abuse. How do I make a person like this satisfied.

[witchypoo]

can we say psych consult. sounds like she is a trip, couple of anti depressants might help her out too and since she is verbally abusive to other residents maybe a little trip to the local psych center to work on the proper meds just for good measure

[husker_rn, RN]

I would make sure her behaviors are documented as are all interventions that have been tried...success or failure. THEN I would talk to her physician about alternatives i.e. meds. There are meds for behaviors but that won't be considered until you have shown what does not work. I would go in and take 10-15 minutes with her at the start of your shift. Listen to her and validate feelings. You're going to spend that much time or more with her so you need to decide if you want to do it with a block of time or countless little trips to the room. Good luck. Since I'm in LTC too I certainly sympathize with you.

[megananne7]

wow, this thread is very old... 2003 anyone?

[MrsCaseyRN]

Since consults are pretty much out of your job realm, just love her.

Kristy

Most of the docs I work with are really good about doing what we recommend since we are the ones who care for the pt day tp day. If I were to tell them about such behavior and ask for a psych or neuro consult they'd agree. I haven't had a doc say no yet...So you can always ask.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

As hard as it is, do not take it personally. Especially since she is doing this to the aides and other nurses (means that you are not alone in this). I would document her behavior, tell the powers that be and ask them how they think this should be handled.

[Jo Dirt]

Well, it doesn't sound like it's personal.

YOu won't reason with her and she isn't going to get better.

You cannot reason with a person who is not rational and when you can look at what you're doing as a job and not expecting results like that book "How to win Friends and Influence People" you will be more at peace.

This is a person with mental illness and the sickness will only get worse. It has nothing to do with you. The bad news is, it is something you will have to put up with.