Archive for July, 2011

Here’s an excellent article for nurses (and anyone who works with people with AD) with some helpful ideas on communicating with this special population.

Becoming an Alzheimer’s Whisperer

Once we get the communication part down, we can provide successful care to these people.

In the March edition of Long Term Living Magazine, an article was written about nursing home and assisted living residents hiring their own staff. This is a unique development in our line of work, and one that could have wonderful implications for the next generation of people who need LTC services.

You would expect the DON to be involved in every aspect of recruiting a CNA, and Judson is indeed involved. But, at the hour of decision, she silently steps aside and the residents take over.

A team of four to six residents, their homework done and ready to meet the applicant, stroll into the conference room. It is a meeting of the ages. On one side is arrayed the accumulated wisdom of the seniors who look benignly across the table at the eager young aspirant, Angelica Riviera, 19, idealistic but nervous. The dialogue across generations goes on for 45 minutes, with storytelling, jokes, and much laughter, as each side wonders how the other side will affect its future.

Isn’t this great? Imagine being a resident, and having some power in who is hired to work with you, to take of you, help you?

The DON is instrumental in this process:

“Seeing residents hire their caregivers is rewarding enough,” says Judson. “It has also elevated my understanding of what matters most to the residents. It has made me a better leader and a better person. It is an empowering and uniting experience for us all. Sitting on the sidelines, I listen to residents tell a budding caregiver what living in a facility is all about; at each session I learn something new.”

Read the whole article HERE.

I found this web site that lists the desired competencies for those who wish to work as nursing assistants. While the list is comprehensive, I have to say that for every aide I know who exhibits these traits, there are 2 that don’t.

Summary Report for:
31-1012.00 – Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants

Work Styles
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

And far be it from me to speculate, but the following competencies are above the education and typical training offered to CNA’s:

Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Regardless, it’s an interesting site with a lot of good info for those who are considering training to be a CNA.