Specializing in 1 Hour Visits: Serving Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Nokomis, East Bradenton, Florida

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Which came first, patient care or paperwork?  Seriously, the paperwork required in healthcare is ridiculous.  I think every kind of health care employee would much rather spend their time working with the patients than to be filling out paperwork.  I wonder what Florence Nightingale would say if she were employed in today’s healthcare world.  The thought of her visiting patients in the middle of the night via lamplight seems so much more personal and purposeful.  But, what can you do?

Do you prefer to have your caregivers wear white uniforms or any other kind of scrubs?  It wasn’t that long ago when nurses, nursing assistants, and all other caregivers were wearing solid white uniforms.  What changed?  In most settings we now see every employee wearing a different color and print scrub uniform.  In the USA, this has become very popular but how do the patient’s feel about this?

Apparently, we are in the minority.  Most other countries in the world still wear solid white uniforms when working with patients.  White represents cleanliness and also gives the workers an “angelic” appearance.  It somehow makes the patients feel better about who is taking care of them.  I suppose I would rather have my caregiver in a clean, white, crisp uniform than a bright red one with dog bones on it.  I guess white is more calming.

I have heard that white is better so you can see if anything has contaminated your uniform.  It makes sense.  Again blood would show up on white VS red print with dog bones.  I was told that we here in the USA should be prepared for a change back to wearing white uniforms in the healthcare field.  It’s all about patient satisfaction.  If they want it and we can easily give it to them, then they should have it.

I also learned that a big complaint of patient’s in the hospital setting is that they can’t distinguish the nurse from other workers, so be prepared to see those nursing caps make a return as well as white uniforms.  Actually, I kind of like the idea of stepping back a little in fashion.  Though, I’m not so sure about the navy capes.  A little image boost wouldn’t hurt.   A certain respect comes with the uniform.

“A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his or her individual dignity, and with protection of his or her need for privacy.”

The above is a quote from the Florida Bill of Rights. You can read it in its entirety by following this link:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/Profiling/billofrights.htm

Sometimes, a Certified Nursing Assistant has to do some very personal and not so pleasant tasks as a caregiver. It is of the utmost importance to always protect the privacy of all of the patients he or she cares for, while helping them to maintain their dignity. It takes a special kind of person to do this successfully. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked by a patient’s room in a facility and seen bare skin. I would be humiliated if that was myself. I always try and remember to treat the patient the way I would want to be treated or a family member. That is with respect, courtesy, respect for my privacy and kindness.

Never assume a patient is comfortable being bathed, using the toilet, or receiving any type of assistance in front of their family members. This can be a very humiliating experience. Maybe the patient has never been ill or needed any type of help before. The patient should feel comfortable expressing pain or crying, if needed, without feeling embarrassed. It is best to ask the visitors to leave while you do your task. This will also assure the patient that you are looking out for their best interest.

Know your rights!

I recently attended a lecture at a local nursing home for a nursing school related activity. The lady spoke with such a passion for the elderly and really caught my attention. I had never thought about how much a person has to give up when they move into a nursing home.

Just think about this…how does one consolidate a houseful of memories into one small bedroom? Simple things like their own towels and favorite dishes that are replaced with institutionalized household items . A lifetime of family photographs but can only bring just a few. The menu will be announced weekly, so no longer will the person have the choice of what they “feel like” eating. They often have to share a room with a complete stranger. Their closet space might be smaller than what they had at home, so they can only bring a tiny fraction of their wardrobe.

The list goes on and on of adjustments one has to make upon entering a nursing home. The way the lady spoke about all of these changes had me in tears. I had never thought about it quite like that before..

I really believe aging adults will thrive better in their own homes. Being in a familiar place with all of the comforts of home and surrounded by a lifetime of memories. Sometimes, they just may need a little extra help with bathing, meal preparation, or just to have someone check in on them a few times a week. That’s where I come in. Please give me a call to see how I can be of assistance.

Home is where the heart is.