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

It takes a very special kind of person to work as a CNA.  Qualifications include compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, patience, organization, honesty, strong body, and of course a love of people.  I became a CNA when I was 21 years old.  I had no idea how rewarding this job could be.  I worked in a large hospital, a nursing home and a pediatrician’s office, all within the first year after I became certified, and yes, all at the same time.  Each setting had it’s own benefits.  The hospital was exciting.  Every shift I was sent to a different part of the hospital, so I saw everything from gunshot wounds to breast augmentation.  The nursing home was hard physical work but it was such a blessing to be around the elderly and all of their wisdom.  I have many sweet memories of working there and once in a great while, I drive by the facility with my husband and tell him a few stories.  The pediatrician’s office was great.  Babies and kids are wonderful.  Rarely did I see anything serious.  I encourage anyone with a heart for people to challenge themselves to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.  The field can always use a good one!

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.

Doing what you love…it’s hard for anyone to wake up in the morning and get motivated to go to work. But it’s a whole lot easier when you love what you do. For many years, I have worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Sarasota, Florida. I love what I do. I love working with the patients and their families. I try my hardest to make a difficult time, such as after a surgery, having a baby, an injury, illness or declining health, as easy as possible by offering my experience, compassion, and always a smile.

Do you have a Question, Concern or a Comment? I would love to hear from YOU!

From experience, I think it is best for the patient to have the same caregiver(s) as often as possible. I believe patients feel more comfortable when they know and have established a trusting relationship with their caregiver. They have the opportunity to establish a relationship, routines, and preferences. Once a continuity of care is developed, the caregiver can recognize abnormalities with the patient more easily. Working with the same patients on a regular basis helps me to give the best care possible.

Health care is a money-making business, we all know that. Unfortunately, somewhere down the line, the patient’s wants and needs were forgotten and replaced with time-consuming charting and cookie cutter guidelines that not every patient fits into. Sometimes, we have to think outside the small box and do what is best for the patient. Just little things can make a huge difference. Of course patient safety is very important, we must not forget their feelings and needs. A good caregiver can make the patient happy, safely.

I remember what my first nursing instructor said, “Always treat your patient the way you would want yourself or someone you loved to be treated.” That has stuck with me throughout the years and always helps me do just a little better.

Have a Question, Concern or Comment? Would love to hear from you!

My views on hospice care are that if a patient is nearing the end of their life then they should be able to enjoy that time the way they want to. If that means eating steak and lobster, or enjoying a good cigar, or maybe going to the beach, then they should be allowed to do so.

One of my friends who is an RN told me a story about a patient she had many years ago. She said he was terminal and only had a short time to live. The patient only wanted to go home, sit in his rocking chair on his front porch and smoke cigarettes until he died. The doctors wanted him in the hospital where he couldn’t do any of these things. His nurse arranged a private room for him with a balcony, had his rocking chair from home brought in and let him smoke outside on the balcony until he was too ill to sit up.

Now, I want to make it quite clear that I do not smoke and that I think it is very unhealthy. But I am not going to judge anyone who does smoke. That is they way nursing care should be. All about the patient and their needs.

Question, concerns or Comments? I would love to hear from you!