Posted by CINDY IN FLORIDA on July 20, 1999 at 11:39:44:
In Reply to: Alzheimer's training for CNA'a posted by Eileen on June 12, 1999 at 18:42:59:
I WAS A CNA ON AN ALZHEIMER UNIT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE DISEASE ITSELF. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO UNDERSTAND THE MANY DIFFERENT SIDES OF MY RESIDENTS, AND HOW TO PROVIDE CARE FOR EACH PARTICULAR ONE. I THINK THAT REALITY ORIENTATION IS A GOOD TOOL TO HELP BOTH THE STAFF AND RESIDENTS. ALTHOUGH THE RESIDENTS ARE UNABLE TO REMEMBER A LOT OF THINGS, THEY ARE STILL TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
THE ANGER SITUATIONS CAN BECOME A REAL PROBLEM AT TIMES. YOU NEED TO HAVE THE PATIENCE TO DEAL WITH EACH PERSON INDIVIDUALLY. THE SAME AAPROACH WILL NOT WORK WITH EVERYONE.
BEING ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR PAST IS ANOTHER ESSENTIAL TOOL. MOST OF THE TIME, THE RESIDENT WILL REFER TO DIFFERENT TIME FRAMES OF THEIR LIFE. IF THE STAFF KNOWS MORE ABOUT THEM, IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR ALL OF US.
ONE PROBLEM THAT OCCURED A LOT DEALT WITH MEALTIME. THE RESIDENTS DO NOT FINISH THEIR MEALS AND TEND TO GET UP A LOT. SOME WOULD EAT FOOD OFF OF ANOTHER RESIDENTS TRAY. THEREFORE, IT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO MONITOR INTAKE ACCURATELY. THIS POSES A POTENTIAL THREAT ESPECIALLY FOR THE DIABETIC RESIDENTS.
AS WITH MOST OTHER RESIDENTS, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH STAFF TO ASSIST WITH THE RESIDENT. PERSONALLY, I BELEIVE THAT THE ALZHEIMER RESIDENT NEEDS MORE PERSONAL INTERACTION THAN OTHERS. TIME TO SPEND WITH THEM TO FIND OUT MORE, SINCE AOME OF THEM CANNOT TELL YOU THEMSELVES.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, TREAT THEM JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PATIENT THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. THEIR DISEASE DOES NOT JUSTIFY MISTREATMENT, ABUSE, OR NEGLECT.