Compassion For The Elderly Is Want The Retirement Home Cna Is All About

There is a huge difference between being a certified nurse's assistant at a nursing home than at a hospital. A nursing home, or a retired living facility as they are sometimes known, is an entirely different animal from a hospital setting. You will need certain skills that you would not use quite as often in a hospital setting. Some of these skills include but are not limited to the following...

*Prevention and treatment of bedsores
*Bathing and grooming
*Enhanced listening skills
*Knowledge of dietary and special menus.

Bedsores Present A Never Ending Battle

The bedsore is one of the nursing homes biggest threats against its bed-ridden patients. Bedsores develop when pressure points of the body press against the bed and circulation is cut off. The oxygen-starved skin at a pressure point like the hip and elbow breaks into an infected sore and is very painful for a patient, especially elderly patients who cannot complain about the pain or voice their discomfort, much less reposition themselves. You have to pay close attention to those who cannot fend for themselves enough to ward off bedsores.

When Bathing Becomes A Challenge

When bathing and grooming becomes a challenge for the elderly, it is up to the family and often the CNA to help them prepare for their day and get ready to retire for the evening. It is often a difficult and even tedious task to have to perform; however, would you not want someone to help you, if you were unable to care for yourself? Older people do not ask to be old, just as we are not looking forward to our turn in the wheelchair and bed. When we become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a nursing home, it is a responsibility that we are accepting during our shifts. Do your very best for them, just as you would want someone to do for you.

Special Dietary Needs

Elderly people cannot eat the things that you and I can eat. Our digestive systems change when we grow older and certain foods can make us sick or even kill us if we are not careful. This means that you have to be diligent when well meaning family members try to bring food into the situation. Home cooking is great, but it has to conform to the strict dietary instructions left for the patient by the facility nutritionist.

Just Listen For A While

It is a simple fact of life that most adults tend to listen less to children and the very old. Can you imagine how frustrated you would be if you had something to say and no one would listen to you? While this can be challenging, we have to know how to listen to our patients and pick out the lucid and important while smiling at the memories. They have earned the right to be heard by surviving life this long. It may not be in your job description, but it is well worth it to you and to them to show a sympathetic ear. It certainly will not kill you.