Prevent Patient Boredom
Posted on February, 26, 2018 by admin
As an STNA you will likely work with many patients who are unhappy with their situation. The fact is, most people identify as independent and strong. So, when they grow too ill or frail to care for themselves, they often feel that they have lost a part of their identity. One important way to combat the depression that is so prevalent among these patients is to keep them engaged. Below, you’ll find a list of some tips to keep nursing home patients from growing too bored and, consequently, depressed.
1. Embrace their hobbies
Before moving into your nursing home, your patients lived long, full lives. Chances are, they had a number of hobbies that they enjoyed over the years. The best way to make these patients feel at home is to make it possible for them to continue to enjoy their favorite hobbies at the nursing home. This might mean securing them a free table in the common room for crafts or taking them for walks outside to do some bird watching. Taking the extra time to help your patients to have access to their hobbies will help you to boost their morale and keep them mentally alert.
2. Take a walk together
Nothing shakes off the boredom blues as quickly as a walk. Taking your patients for walks will provide much-needed variety on dreary days, will help them to maintain their physical fitness, and will provide a great opportunity for the two of you to get to know each other better and to form a stronger relationship. On days of good weather, taking a quick stroll outside can do a world of good for bored or dissatisfied patients.
3. Introduce them to new technology
Technology can open up a world of possibilities for patients whose physical condition is poor but whose mental condition is sharp. A few quick lessons on Facebook, email, and Netflix can allow these patients to reconnect with old friends, to stay in touch with family, and to enjoy their favorite programming on demand.
Preventing excessive patient boredom is key to preventing depression. By intervening as soon as you detect frequent boredom and listlessness, you can help to keep your patient’s conditions from deteriorating. As an STNA, we know your priority is the health and happiness of your patients. We hope these tips will help you to keep them engaged!
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Caring for Patients with Hearing Loss
Posted on February, 26, 2018 by admin
As an STNA, it is likely that you will encounter patients with hearing loss. In fact, 15% of adults in the United States have some form of hearing loss and the percentage only increases as patients age. When caring for these patients, it is important to do everything you can to ensure that they understand the important messages you must communicate to them and that they receive enough stimulation. Below, you’ll find some tips that will help you to give your patients with hearing loss the care they need.
1. Make your lips readable
Many patients with hearing loss rely on lipreading to allow them to understand spoken communication. You can make it easier for them to read your lips by enunciating clearly, ensuring that your lips are not hidden in shadow and that the light of the room is bright enough for your lips to be seen clearly, and making sure your lips are not hidden by facial hair.
2. Consider alternative forms of communication
If your patient uses sign language to communicate, learning even just a few basic signs can make a world of difference for your relationship. Many patients who have lost their hearing with age, however, do not know sign language. If this is the case, you could use pen and paper or a whiteboard and markers to communicate.
3. Care for their hearing aids
If your patient wears hearing aids, you can help them to ensure that they are always in working order. Steps as simple as cleaning out their filters and replacing dead batteries can make a big difference for your patient. If your patient does not have hearing aids, but you believe they could benefit from them, talk to your supervisor. Sometimes, hearing loss occurs so gradually that the patient does not notice it until someone else points it out.
We hope these steps will help you to provide excellent care for your patients with hearing loss. As an STNA, you will likely work with many patients who suffer from some form of hearing loss. By taking the extra steps required to communicate with these patients properly, you can ensure that their wishes are fully understood and that they receive the mental stimulation they need to stay mentally sharp and alert.
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