Residents are human like the rest of us, and certified nurses’ aids naturally need to treat them the same way they want to be treated decades from now. To be sure that residents are not neglected, take a few moments to think about all the needs that a resident has that must be met.
Residents need to have call bells within reach so that they can call for help when needed. Never walk past a blinking light over a door. Go in and see what needs to be done and take care of it. Water must also be within reach unless the resident has an order for fluid restriction. Elderly people in fragile health can become dehydrated easily and a residents’ suffering thirst would be a clear indication of neglect. A resident’s missing a meal would also be a form of neglect. Sometimes a resident will miss mealtime at your facility because of going away for a procedure at an acute hospital. When that happens, ask the kitchen to send another tray when the resident returns. If the kitchen is closed check to see what snacks are available, as long as they are in keeping with the resident’s diet.
The resident’s room should be as clean enough so that the resident will find it livable. Certified nurses’ aids are not expected to scrub the floors, but they should clear away clutter. If something falls onto the floor, pick it up promptly to prevent falls.
Hospital beds are designed for the mattress to rise into a comfortable position for changing linens, and for making patient transfers from gurneys to beds. After you have finished working with the bed, always lower it. If the resident is in bed, put up the side rails before leaving the bedside. This will prevent falls and injuries. Injuries from falling out of bed are preventable, and leaving resident in a dangerous situation is neglectful.
When incontinence is a problem it should be cleaned up promptly. None of us wants to lie on our own waste, and doing so can break down the skin, particularly in older people with fragile skin.
Residents who are unable to move in bed should be moved at least every two hours to prevent pressure sores. Pressure sores are signs of neglect.
Abuse can be a serious problem that damage residents, their families, the care facility, your career and the entire profession. If you feel that you are under too much stress, and have feelings of hostility, talk things over with your supervisor before you do something you will regret. Abuse can take the form of assault or battery. In assault, a person is threatened, either physically or verbally. Threatening to put a resident into restraints or raising your hand as if to strike would be forms of assault. Battery is even more serious. Battery involves using force against a patient. The only time when force would be acceptable would be to prevent the resident from harming him or herself or others.
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