Never work at a nursing home, unless you're gifted for it?
609847
I bet you have seen alot of neglect and abuse.Unfortunately the weak,confused,helpless are usually the one's who get this treatment.You have the unique opportunity to make anonymous complaints to the department of social services.Keep you eyes open and be an advocate for this vulnerable population.You never have to give your name and they have to make an inspection when a complaint is received.Go to your state social services web site.Also keep you a log with with dates,names,times this is very effective.Good Luck you will be doing a great service
1142586
That's the best idea, keep them at home.  We did as long as we could.\nHowever, its more difficult that you think. Most people in this culture work outside the home. In other cultures they do not. We have a lot here because we work all the time.  You can not care for an elderly person if you are not there. If you try to do it in shifts-then no one gets any sleep. \nSome Nursing homes are the pits-I agree. But some are great. You must prepare for the time when you have to deal with this. It is gut-wrenching. But 'good' nursing home is better than keep ing sick old people at home. Try it for a couple of years and it will wreck your life.
648048
Oh, do I agree with you.  I worked in one for about to weeks.  It was so terrible.  The old people were not being cared for properly, because they were so under staffed.  It was very difficult to see death so near everyday.  I truly believe you must be a very special person to work in one of those places.
808809
Try voluntary work for a while... or try elderly care, I know its at the end of the spectrum but they are sometimes willing to take without experience and it gives you the groundings of care.... but if not try voluntary, good luck
361566
I'm an emergency room nurse. I both love my job and really hate my job. I love when I can help really sick people get better. There's no thrill like shaking a man's hand, the same man that was nearly dead 2 days before, and we got him to the cardiac cath lab before his heart attack killed him. \nI hate the way people treat me. I am on my feet for 12 hours or more a day, and am running between 5 patients. I have a bachelor's degree, am a registered nurse, and worked really hard to get my education and pass my boards. Some people treat me like a maid, or like a waitress. Sure, I am very willing to go get that glass of water, or to clean your family member when they soil their adult diaper. But is it necessary to be hostile to me? And I do understand that your frustration is coming from a place of concern and love for your family member, and if it was my mother/father/sister/son in the hospital, I'd be overprotective of their well-being too. But really, I'm not sticking your grandfather with a needle again for MY health, I'm not enjoying it. It's for HIS health, so we can run the test on his blood that may contribute to saving his life. And it's not my fault that he's 93 and has no veins, or is so dehydrated or has paper thin skin that is so fragile. And, your grandmother was very stable, health-wise, so I took an extra 15 minutes getting that glass of water because I had to go give a diuretic medication to a man who was drowning in the fluid in his own lungs. I had to put in a catheter so we could measure his urine output. \n\nSeriously, people, be nicer to nurses. We work really hard, and went into the field because we have some altruistic desire to help people be healthier. We don't deserve abuse.
274918
My sister works at one. To hear her talk, it's a place where people put their elderly to die. The people don't receive the proper care due to under staffing, and most of the nurses that work in them don't care very much about the people they are there to take care of.
588980
Look for private duty companies in your area.  They specialize in non-skilled nursing care.  The title is ususally homemaker or similar. Some job duties may include bathing, companionship, escorting to places, shoopping, cooking, etc.
51205
Yes you can. A local hospital in my area hires them. A certified nursing assitant can work almost anywhere that hires them as long as they are under the supervision of a registered nurse. So go for that job! Most likely your duties would include helping patients to the bathroom who stay overnight for pain treatments,bathing non-ambulatory patients,etc. They need CNAs just as much as any other hospital. I don't know what state you live in but here are north carolinas regulations.\n*Employment MUST include ALL FOUR (4) of the following to qualify for listing renewal:\n1) Work is for monetary compensation\n2) Work is as a nurse aide, performing direct patient care\n3) Work is under the supervision of a registered nurse\n4) Total time worked equals eight (8) hours or more
922033
no, It is common practice in most places usually you try some thing sweet first. If they are cofused (dementia) they cannot legally make the decision for themselves.
371431
It has always been my experience that people who dont want to pay are not worth working for.Senior citizens that want a challenge can get plenty of those by volunteering for the Red Cross or any one of a thousand charity orgs.That's where you can find most of them right now.
841973
I work in a Nursing Home, so it is ppl
645096
Large groups of elderly people at various nursing homes or assisted living centers may have nothing to do all day while waiting to pass on. So they are online all day being useful and making good use of their masters degrees and former experience sharing their knowledge as mentors, teachers, and professionals. They are by large retired and were told their experience was no longer needed by anyone for pay. The family never visits. Why sit in the rocking chair and wait for hospice time? It's more useful to share experience and knowledge with those who need it. What else can people do when they no longer have the energy to be senior volunteers and greet people at the church doors?
420261
I have been a nurse for 20 years and I have learned that when our loved ones get to the point in there fragile days when we can no longer give them the kind of care they need and deserve, that we are not abandoning them or throwing them away, we are showing them that we do indeed Love them.\nMost nursing homes I have had the honor to work in allow family members to visit no matter what time of the day or night the family chooses to come. Most of the time the residents with advanced Alzheimer's don't remember that u were there but the staff will. And trust me when I say this that when we lose that Loved one that we visited, and loved there will be no regrets and your conscious will be at peace.
150915
not exactly, but when i was 17 i worked in a nursing facility as a housekeeper/janitor, and one day as i was cleaning a room, and i went to empty the bathroom trash. well, as i opened the bathroom door, there was a resident sitting on the toilet, (lady in her mid to upper 80's) i was so embarassed that i just left the room and went on to the next one. later that day, one of the female housekeepers told me that the lady felt bad that i got embarassed, but she wished i had shut the door because she wasn't finished. :)
594952
Good for you.I am glad you are taking action.My dad is in a nursing home and they are all bad places.The patients don't get fed all their meals,they are left wet,the are abused both verbally and physically.The pick on the most vulnerable.These nursing homes esp. the ones with the rehab centers are breaking medicare and you and I won't have any retirement money.They are big business and making a living off these folks.Your attorney will try to get a settlement and the nursing home will probably not want to go to court to keep out of the news.The nursing notes will be especially important and don't be surprised if they try to change them.They will also look at the physician's progress notes.You should have gone to the nursing home and requested to see her chart they have to let you and you can get copies for a small copying fee.You'll need help from her doctor.Your attorney will need a legal nurse consultant who can testify that she had negligent care,someone who is a expert in long term care.They are short staffed and don't give a damn about the patients.They are out to make money off this vulnerable population.Write your congressman.Good Luck I hope you win big time.
991967
Your heart is in the right place and I think they have underestimated you. At 60, you can be relied upon to show responsibility, make it to work everyday, and respect your position. You would do well to apply at a nursing home or childrens hospital with your experience, they need people like you.
345707
I worked in nursing homes for 10 yrs.It's almost the same as dealing with corpses sometimes.