I have worked as a nurse's aide in home care, nursing home, and assisted living settings. I have a firm believe that when you commit to taking care of someone you need to consider that person's wishes always. This is easy in home care, but in larger facilities presents some challenges. One particular disturbing case to me was of a women who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and resided in a 300+ bed nursing home facility. She was in a stage where she was confused and looking for her family. She spent her days crying sofly all day for years because no one knew what to do to help her nor did they have the time. Now sadly enough her situation was known by not only the employee's, but she had family members who were employees at this facility. Knowing now so small actions that could have made this person's life joyful it is sad to think how ignorant I or any of us were then. This women was physically cared for, but had lost any meaning to her life. We can do much better now.
"I did then what I knew best, when I knew better, I did better." Maya Angelo
It is a well accepted theory that we need to take care of ourselves before we can help someone else. Changing the culture in healthcare is not going to be easy, but it can be shown that it will benefit individual facilities both in production and revenue.
Here i will share what i've found in the way of education and resources in healthcare that is not easily found within our licensure, facility we work in, or in annual training. My focus is in dementia as i believe it is possible through continued education for everyone involved to improve this situation greatly as we are all connected. I would love to hear about new research along with books and inspiring articles that others can find. Together I am hoping to build a solid knowledge base that is free and is as independent as our licenses can make us.
