Archive for the 'Asides' Category

I was over at Advance for LTC and came across this article which I think is timely and important to CNAs. It’s about debt collector practices and the law…in this econmony the author of this article offers some good advice. Advance For LTC is a web site for the LTC industry and they have some excellent articles- most about the industry of course, but every now and again gems like this slip in.

Beware the Collector

The area of “collections” is not something most folks ever get to know, and no one wants to learn about it by living through it. There are three kinds of collection agents: in-house, agency, and distressed debt buyers. Inside every major credit card or credit granting agency (GMAC, Ford Credit, Countrywide Homes, etc.) there is a collections department. These are generally good people who want to work with debtors to help them restructure their debt and avoid foreclosures and repossessions. In many cases they are successful. However, when they are not, they refer the claim out to a company that does business as a collection agency. A collection agency may be part of a law firm, or it may be a stand-alone agency that collects using the phone and letters. The conduct of these folks is closely regulated. The Federal Trade Commission investigates collectors who cross the line and break the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

It is the third tier of debt collectors, the “distressed debt buyer” that is the real challenge for consumers. Although it may not be obvious to most people, your account with Mastercard, your home loan, your delinquent phone bill, and your repossessed car note can all be sold to other persons. The legal term for this is the “holder in due course,” and the way it works is through a process called “assignment.”

Read the whole article.

So, keep this in mind if you’re being harassed by bill collectors. I often hear the words, “I can’t afford a lawyer”…but in situations like the ones described in the article, a lawyer would most likely be a lot less expensive than paying an old bill that’s been legally written off.

I was forming an outline for a post about respecting our elderly residents when communicating with them when I came across this article:

From McKnights LTC News:

Sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia don’t like being talked down to any more than healthy, competent adults do, according to new research. So-called “elderspeak” may actually lead to disruptive behavior.

The new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas, found that cognitively impaired nursing home residents react badly when spoken to as if they were infants. Researchers videotaped 20 nursing home residents with moderate dementia to discover their reactions to demeaning dialogue. Residents who were talked down to were twice as likely to resist care—by crying out, hitting, kicking, yelling or other methods—than those who were spoken to as adults.

I have to wonder, with some amusement, how much money they spent on this “study”? It seems to me no research was really needed. This is a dignity issue. It should be common sense.

We have no right to speak to our residents as though they were babies or little children. They are adults. They were once YOUR age; they once had the stamina and energy we all have; many have raised children and worked very hard to provide good homes for their families. They are still people, who have the same thoughts, the same dreams and fears and hopes as we do. While they may be 80 yrs old, in their minds they still feel 20. Some things never change as we age…who among us doesn’t “feel” 18 still?

People with dementia deserve the same level of respect and good manner as those without memory impairment.

Along these same lines, cute little nicknames are just as insulting and disrespectful. As CNA’s, we need to be respectful of our residents and we must never demean them with baby talk and silly nick names. How would you feel? Put yourself in their shoes.

Cell phones are a wonderful addition to our lives. Communicating quickly with family and friends is a good thing most the time.

However, at work, in nursing, they are fast becoming a nuance. I see many nurses and aides who constantly check their cells for messages; or who are texting someone. Right in the middle of patient care! Or a residents’ mealtime!

Message to CNA’s:
Cell phones no longer interfere with most medical equipment. This is no excuse to use them while we are working. Surely any message can wait until a break. Nothing is more aggravating than watching your co-worker drop everything they’re doing to TEXT someone. Or to check a call. Not only is this aggravating, it’s very unprofessional.

Message to management:
What is YOUR policy on this? Where I work we are not allowed to carry our cells with us on the units. Equipment problems are not the stated reason either. Rather, common courtesy and professionalism are cited. Cell phones take time and attention away from resident care; residents and co workers perceive the use of cell phones during care as rude (IT IS!). Staff are allowed to use their cells on their breaks only, and in the break room only- not in patient care areas.

If you’re a smoker, you’ll want to read this article. If you’re not, you should still read this.

At work smokers take their breaks and usually light up. Having that cigarette often relaxes us and keeps us even keeled. Many facilities are now smoke free- no smoking on the actual grounds of the property or within certain distances from the buildings. BUT most allow staff to smoke inside their vehicles. This is a privilege and not a right. Be grateful when you can.

One thing is noticed often by smokers and non smokers alike: After you have smoked, YOU SMELL like cigarettes. It’s the natural course of events here. The smell gets in your hair, your uniform, your skin. And your breath. It’s not a nice thing to smell.

Do yourself and everyone else a favor: Clean up after a smoke…when you come back inside, WASH your hands first of all. Then brush your teeth or at least use some mints or gum. Some aides I know also do a little more: They use the hand gels to help rid their body of the scent. How? They simply rub the gel in their hands and before it dries they quickly rub it all over their arms, neck and uniform top. It works wonders. One aide actually briefly runs her gel soaked fingers through her hair as well.

Other aides wash up and then use a lotion with a light scent, to cover up the odor. At a local nursing home down the road from me the staff use the unscented Febreeze-like spray over themselves- this is probably the best thing I have seen yet, that really works.

Residents and patients can get nauseated when they smell cigarette odors. Others may become agitated because they WANT to smoke but cannot. Either way, it’s gross and no one likes the smell. So be considerate of others.