Download Chapter 6 Understanding the Resident

Chapter 6
Understanding the Resident
Revised by Christie Minor, RN

CARING FOR THE PERSON

For effective care, you must consider the whole
person.
 This is known as Holism.
 Mind , Body, And Soul.
 Disability and illness affect the whole person.
Slide 2
Why consider holistic care for a
woman with a mastectomy?
What Physical care will you have to provide?
What Psychological/Mental care may be needed?
What could be some of the spiritual concerns she needs addressed?
 Addressing
the person
• Call residents by their titles.
• Do not call residents by their first names unless they ask
you to.
• Do not call residents Grandma, Papa, Sweetheart,
Honey, or other names.
Slide 4
BASIC NEEDS


Abraham Maslow
Lower needs are met first
Slide 5
Basic Needs

Consider the woman going through
the chemo treatments and loses
her hair – she may not have her
self-esteem needs being met

Consider the man in the nursing
home who’s family never visits –
he does not have love & belonging
needs met

Consider the COPD patient who
feels like their smothering from
lack of oxygen – can he even think
about eating lunch
Slide 6

CULTURE AND RELIGION

Culture is the characteristics of a group of people
passed from one generation to the next.
• The person’s culture:


Influences health beliefs and practices
Affects behavior during illness and when in a nursing center
Slide 7
Religion relates to spiritual beliefs & practices
Some residents may ask to see their spiritual leader, report this to
the nurse
Some may receive communion on Sundays
Some may have religious objects in their rooms
Remember….
You Are Not Being Pressured to Accept and
Adopt Others Beliefs, but You Must Respect
Each Individual and Their Beliefs
It is impossible to understand all the beliefs of different religions
and cultures, but try to be sensitive and learn about their beliefs and
practices, this will help you give better care.

EFFECTS OF ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

Define Disability
 Anger is a common response to illness and
disability.
• To help the person feel safe, secure, and loved:

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Take an extra minute to “visit,” to hold a hand, or to give a
hug.
Show that you are willing to help with personal needs.
Respond promptly.
Treat each person with respect and dignity.
Slide 10
 Optimal
level of function
• Residents are helped to maintain their optimal level of
function.
• Encourage the person to be as independent as possible.
• Always focus on the person’s abilities, not disabilities!
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 11


Types of NURSING CENTER RESIDENTS
Most are older

Alert, oriented residents
 Confused and disoriented residents
 Complete care residents
 Short-term residents
 Life-long residents
 Residents with Mental Health disorders
 Terminally ill residents
Slide 12
Behavior Issues
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Anger
Demanding behavior
Self-centered behavior
Aggressive behavior
Withdrawal
Inappropriate sexual behavior
See page 84 for ways to deal with issues
Slide 13
Effective Communication

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
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Avoid medical terms that residents may not
understand
Repeat information as often as needed
Ask questions to see if the person understood
Be patient, especially with people with
memory problems
Slide 14
Verbal Communication

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Can be spoken or written
Communicating with dementia residents can be
difficult
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Call them by name
Choose simple short sentences
Use a gentle, calm voice
Keep distractions to a minimum
Allow the person time to respond
Slide 15
Nonverbal
communication does not
use words.
• Touch is a very important form of nonverbal
communication.
• Body language involves:
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Facial expressions
Gestures
Posture
Eye contact
You may need to control your body language (like to
offensive odors)
Remember, touch ,gestures & eye contact can be different
in other cultures. (see boxes at top of page 87)
Slide 16

Communication methods
• Listening means to focus on verbal and nonverbal
•
•
•
•
•
•
communication.
Paraphrasing is restating the person’s message in your
own words.
Direct questions focus on certain information.
Open-ended questions lead or invite the person to share
thoughts, feelings, or ideas.
Clarifying lets you make sure that you understand the
message.
Focusing is dealing with a certain topic.
Silence is a very powerful way to communicate.
Slide 17

Communication barriers include:
• Using unfamiliar language
• Cultural differences
• Changing the subject
• Giving your opinion
• Talking a lot when others are silent
• Failure to listen
• Pat answers
• Illness and disability
• Age
Slide 18

RESIDENTS
WITH
DISABILITIES

A person may
acquire a disability
any time from birth
through old age.
 People with
disabilities:
• Have the same
basic needs as you
and everyone else
• Have the right to
dignity and respect
just like you and
everyone else
Slide 19

The person who is comatose is unconscious.
• The person cannot respond to others.
• The person often can hear and can feel touch and pain.
• Assume that the person hears and understands you.
• Knock before entering the person’s room.
• Tell the person your name, the time, and the place every
time you enter the room. Tell them when you leave.
• Explain what you are going to do, step by step.
Slide 20

FAMILY AND
FRIENDS

Family and friends:
• Help meet safety and
security, love and
belonging, and selfesteem needs
• Lessen loneliness
• Often help with the
person’s care

The presence or
absence of family or
friends affects the
person’s quality of life.
Slide 21

QUALITY OF LIFE

The resident is the most important person in the
nursing center.
 Always treat family and visitors with respect.
TIME TO REFLECT:
Read the box, How would you respond?
Slide 22