The New Old Age - Getting to Know You

(Note from WCO: The article from the New York Post, below, quotes one of our associate facilities, Meadowlark Hills' Steve Shields, Manhattan, KS.) 

If you have a relative in a nursing home, you’ve probably had variants of these conversations:

Visitor: How’s my father doing today?
Aide: Which one is your father?

Or:

Visitor: Is my mother’s appetite better today?
Aide: I’m not sure; I wasn’t here yesterday.

Or:

Visitor: How’s my aunt getting along with her new roommate?
Aide: I’m sorry, I don’t know. I usually work on the third floor.

Read the rest of "The New Old Age" article - click here

How to Give Without Stretching Yourself Too Thin

As the holidays draw near, we're inundated with requests for giving. Stores want your money, family and work want your time, and it seems there's never quite enough of either to go around. There are the parties, the school and church functions, and a hundred other things competing for your attention. You want to do something special in this season of giving, but don't have any time or money to spare, so what can you do?

How about trying something smaller?

There are plenty of big things you can do at this time of year--volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating toys to needy children--but how about a few things that won't stress you out or break your budget?

Think small. Really small.

Let that car cut in front of you.

Pick up an item that's fallen off the shelf at the store.

Smile at a frazzled store clerk.

Offer to help carry a bag of groceries.

All of these are small gestures that add up to a lot of good will. It's free, doesn't cost more than a minute of your time, and makes someone's day a little brighter. What's not to like?

Have a little more time or energy to spare?

If you're out shoveling your sidewalk, why not do some (or all!) of your neighbor's too?

Like to knit or crochet? Consider making an item or two for Carewear or a similar charity. These groups provide clothing and blankets for infants and children in hospitals. It's a great way to share the "warmth" of the season.

Some people (like me) cook and bake to relax. If you've got a knockout bread recipe, or a family-favorite batch of cookies, consider making extra and donating to a church or food bank that could use some help. Homemade goods are always the best.

Clean your closets. Many charities, like Goodwill, are in need of blankets and warm clothing at this time of year. If you've got an extra bed set that the kids have outgrown, or a pile of sweatshirts that never get worn, pass them along to people who could put them to good use. You'll weed out some clutter, and help someone else in the process.

Love to sing? Round up a group of friends and family and go caroling. It could be at a nursing home, or just around your neighborhood, but sharing your gift of music with others is fun and free.

Giving doesn't have to be about dollar signs or stacks of presents. Little acts of kindness have the biggest rewards. Making someone's day a little easier can do so much more to lift spirits than the latest gift or gadget, and isn't that what this season of giving is all about? You can feel good about making life a little easier for another person, and you won't have to spend a dime to do it!

Addictions and The Workplace

Addictions come in many forms, and bear many different levels of social stigma. While needing a jolt of caffeine in the morning might be seen as a mild annoyance, a prescription drug addiction can be devastating. Addictions run the gamut from substances to experiences--overeating and gambling can be just as addictive as hard drugs, and just as damaging to people and families. Addiction is an unpleasant topic, and one most people would rather avoid than face head on, but as stress levels rise with the coming holidays, it's important to take a moment and talk about this crucial issue.

With caregiving comes stress, and most caregivers are surrounded by a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications. It can be all too easy to fall into the habit of using cigarettes or alcohol to deal with stress, if not harder substances. Prescription drug abuse has risen dramatically in recent years due to the ready availability of drugs, and the perception that because they're FDA-approved, they're safe. When it comes to recreational substance use, an occasional drink after work is not necessarily a bad thing, but can you tell if it's becoming a problem? What about mood-altering pills, or sleep aids? It's hard to be objective about these things sometimes, so the folks at Johns Hopkins University created a simple quiz you can take to assess your usage: http://www.intervention.com/defns.html#addsd

Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue among health care workers, and the only way to change this trend is to be vigilant for signs of abuse. If you pass medications, you're already familiar with the laws and regulations for medications, but the US Department of Justice offers these reminders:

• You have a legal and ethical responsibility to uphold the law and to help protect society from drug abuse.
• You have a professional responsibility to prescribe and dispense controlled substances appropriately, guarding against abuse while ensuring that patients have medication available when they need it.
• You have a personal responsibility to protect your practice from becoming an easy target for drug diversion. You must become aware of the potential situations where drug diversion can occur and safeguards that can be enacted to prevent this diversion.

They have assembled a very helpful guide that helps you spot the signs of drug impairment in coworkers, and lets you know when and how to become involved if you suspect abuse. You can read the full guide here: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/drug_hc.htm

What if you suspect a friend, family member or coworker might have a problem with addiction? First, take this quiz to help you analyze the symptoms: http://www.intervention.com/defns.html#addop

If you still think there may be a problem, this article shows you what you can do to help someone dealing with addiction: http://bit.ly/doynp3

Finally, if you or someone you know needs help immediately, WebMD has a helpful list of crisis resources: http://www.webmd.com/help/crisis-resources

Stay safe this holiday season!

Is It Depression, Or Just The Blues?

There are many factors that can cause depression. Moving from an independent setting to managed care is a big step, and despite the best efforts of staff and family members, the change of circumstance can bring on a strong case of the blues. Seniors are also more prone to experience the loss of close friends or family members (due to age and illness), deal with chronic pain, and be faced with some loss of independence and mobility. A period of adjustment is to be expected, but if those blues stick around, depression could be to blame. Depression differs from sadness in that it is persistent, long-lasting, and can be far more than just a state of mind.

There are many clues that a person may be suffering from depression. Some of the most obvious are a loss of interest in activities, lethargy, and a general disinterest in things going on around the person. Depressions symptoms are long-lasting and strong enough to interfere w/ daily life. Take a moment and get to Know the signs: http://www.caring.com/articles/depression-signs

How is depression different from general sadness or grief? It's more serious. Don't assume a depressed person can or will snap out of it. As a friend or caregiver, it's up to you to intervene and be proactive. Depression can affect a person's immunity, stress body systems, and cause physical pain. Unfortunately, depression is still misunderstood by many people, and carries a strong negative stigma. People are taught to hide their feelings and mask symptoms, so it can be hard to address the issue before it becomes severe and interferes with a person's daily functioning.

As a caregiver, you might need to go above and beyond to help a resident cope with depression. It's not so simple as telling someone to cheer up and smile. In fact, that can be one of the most frustrating and insulting things you can say. What can you do? If possible, involve the resident's family or friends. A depressed person is often too down to ask for help or realize how far his or her condition has progressed. Support from friends and family can help a person pull out of the crippling sadness and start to participate in social activities again. If a person in your care makes any mention of suicide, seek help from your facility's social worker, or the resident's doctor, immediately. Even without the risk of suicide, it is essential that family members, a social worker, or a doctor be alerted to the resident's condition.

Treatment options

In many cases, simply getting the depressed person out of isolation and into social activities can make a big difference. The change of scenery from a residential room to a facility's common areas (or outdoors, if possible) can pull a person out of dwelling on sadness. Group therapy and support can make a difference. Cognitive or "talk" therapy is a common first step in addressing depression. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the depressed person is taught how to break the cycle of negative thoughts and learns coping skills. Sometimes it's enough to talk with a family member or trusted friend, but it might be beneficial to bring in a professional counselor. Your facility's Social Service Designee should be able to arrange for counseling or therapy, if it's needed.

If a resident has a religious affiliation, it could help to bring in members of that person's faith to visit or pray with them, or make it possible for the resident to attend religious services with others of the same faith. Fellowship is a strong way to combat the loneliness and isolation that can lead to depression.

Some medications can cause or exacerbate depression, so get in touch with the resident's doctor, or the person overseeing his or her care, and ask them to review medications for possible negative interactions or side effects. Hormonal issues could also be to blame, so bring up that possible cause when speaking with the doctor.

No matter what the causes, it's important to take depression seriously, and learn to spot the signs before they get out of control. Even though a person's reasons for being sad might sound silly or petty to you, please remember that they are significant to the depressed person and should be respected. Try not to judge, and do what you can to be a good listener and get the resident the help he or she needs.

5 Simple Steps To Help A Lonely Resident

As we move into the holiday season, and the days grow shorter and grayer, many residents may find themselves feeling a bit down an lonely. Here are five simple things you can do to brighten a resident's day and keep the loneliness at bay.

1. Take the resident on an outing.
Something as simple as a trip to a coffee shop, going to see a matinee movie, or taking a short drive in the country can do so much to lift a person's mood. Ask questions and encourage your guest to share stories from his or her life. Be a good listener and you can really make someone's day. If a resident is not able to leave the facility, bring the outing to him or her. Get a take-out treat from a favorite local restaurant, or have a meal wrapped take-out style from your facility's cafeteria. Pick up a red and white checked tablecloth at the discount store to add a festive, picnic element. Brightly colored plates, cups, or utensils add a nice touch, too.

2. Be a friend.
As caregivers, we do the best we can for each of our residents, but some days a resident needs you to go above and beyond. There are those awful days when pain is worse than usual, or they're just feeling blue. Maybe personal issues are getting them down. See if you can free up a few moments in your schedule and sit down and visit with the resident. Let them know that, sure, you have other things you could be doing, but you choose to spend time with them. It could be as simple as chatting about the weather, or as involved as being a sounding board for whatever is worrying or bothering the resident. Think about a time when you were lonely, and how nice it would have been if someone had come along and said "I'm here for you." Schedule a regular visiting time, or give the resident a specific time when you'll be back to visit again. The lonely times go a lot faster if you've got something to look forward to.

3. Help your resident connect with others.
Arthritis and failing eyesight can make it hard for seniors to do things we take for granted, like writing a letter or making a phone call. Help a resident write a letter or email. Is your resident having trouble with a phone or cell phone? Offer to help w/ dialing, or write or type up a list of important phone numbers in large numbers.

4. Small gifts
Bring the resident a small gift like fresh flowers or a small potted plant. A little gesture can both brighten up their room and make their day. But--and this is important--Don't just gift and run. Take a few minutes to visit with the resident. Let them know you were thinking of them and that you genuinely care about them. Then, when they look up and see your gift, they'll remember your visit with a smile, and look forward to the next time you're able to stop by.

5. Make contact
This suggestion takes a little more care and effort than the previous ones. If you can do so without violating HIPPA or your resident's privacy, reach out to others on behalf of the resident, and see if you can arrange for friends or family to visit. Some residents are too proud to ask for help, or too upset or distracted to take the initiative on their own. Ask your facility's SSD to contact the resident's family or friends. Arrange a surprise visit. No family? Drum up a volunteer, pet visit, or something w/ local scouting troop or school. Sometimes it's not so important who is visiting, but that the resident has visitors, period.

Finally, If you have several residents who are dealing with loneliness, try arranging a group activity. A movie night (or ongoing movie club) is a great way to bring people together and get them talking. Invite family members and volunteers, if possible, too. Get the group together and watch a classic movie with an upbeat theme like Singin' in the Rain. Musicals are great because of the lively music and lavish dance scenes! Provide snacks, dim the lights, and let everyone enjoy a movie together. Afterward, lead a discussion about the movie. Encourage everyone to talk about their favorite songs or scenes, or reminisce about other favorite movies and actors from that time period. If the movie had dancing, bring in a volunteer to teach everyone a simple dance based on a song from the movie. Or lead a sing-a-long or karaoke with songs from famous movie musicals.

Sometimes the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact. If you see someone looking down, or who hasn't had visitors in a while, a little attention from you can make a huge difference.

You're a CNA, Now What?

Americans are living longer than any previous generation and the need for long-term and nursing care is growing by leaps and bounds. This is the perfect time to enter a health care career, and achieving Certified Nurse Aide (Assistant) certification is a great start. We've had thousands of students in our Nurse Aide classes. If you really want a competitive edge in the jobs marketplace, though, your best bet is to broaden your skills and make yourself even more appealing to an employer. Many students use the CNA class as a stepping stone to Registered Nurse training, but there are several other options for additional skills.

So, where do you go from CNA?

One good starting point is to train as a Restorative Aide. RAs assist with physical, occupational and speech therapy under the supervision of a specialist. RAs work with individuals recovering from injuries or operations, and are not limited to elder care. Jobs are available in facilities and with outside agencies, so having RA skills can be a great option for people who like to work in a variety of settings. Our Restorative Aide class is offered every month and involves 32 hours of coursework. It's a two week course and it can mean an extra $0.50 an hour (or more!) in your paycheck, according to payscale.com.

Another great option is to train as a Home Health Aide. Not only will this make you more employable, it will greatly increase your employment options. While CNAs generally work in long term care facilities, a CNA with HHA training can work with a Home Health Care agency and have the opportunity to work with clients in their own homes. The current trend is to keep elders in their homes with assisted care rather than moving them into facilities, so demand for qualified Home Health Aides is growing rapidly. As a Home Health Aide, you will help people live comfortably and with dignity in their own homes. HHA is the perfect option for working parents, or people who need flexible hours since you can sometimes schedule home visits around your other commitments. Our Home Health Aide class involves 20 hours of coursework, and is offered quarterly. Is it worth 20-32 hours of your time to boost your earning potential?

Activities for Fall Holidays

Fall is here and that means cooler days, turning leaves, and a long, festive holiday season. Holidays provide many opportunities for long-term care residents and staff to decorate, dress up, and celebrate. The next big holidays are Halloween and Veteran's Day, so here are some ideas you can use in your facilities. 

October 31 - Halloween

Halloween is one of the best holidays for decorating. Almost anything orange, black, or purple will do, and there are countless images and motifs you can use. Children in masks, full moons, pointy witch hats, and grinning jack-o-lanterns. On thing to consider, though--Some people are bothered by the death and monster imagery in some Halloween decorations.

Skip the skeletons and tombstones and play up the fun side of the holiday with colorful, non-threatening decorations. Suggestions include creative jack-o-lanterns, festive candy treats, and "safe" images like black cats and haunted houses. Decorations can be as simple as crepe paper around a window, or as elaborate as transforming a room into a spooky scene.

Pumpkin carving is also a Halloween tradition, and don't forget to save the seeds for roasting! There are several recipes for pumpkin seeds, but two of my favorite are here. The first is for lightly salted seeds, and the other is for a more spicy, savory variation.

If working with real pumpkins is too challenging for some residents, provide them with orange construction paper pumpkins and black or yellow paper to create their spooky faces. You can even cut out some shapes ahead of time and give your crafters a selection to chose from. Pumpkin painting is an easy option, too. The mini pumpkins and gourds you can find at the grocery store are just the right size for everything from a reception desk to a resident's room. You can find several pumpkin carving patterns online, or visit Nursing Home Activity Resource for a long list of halloween recipies and craft ideas.

Since parties are always a big hit, consider scheduling a day when residents, staff and visitors can show off their Halloween costumes. For even more fun, encourage families to bring their children in costume and have them go trick or treating at the resident rooms. Residents could even prepare popcorn balls or cookies beforehand. It's a great activity to bring all generations of residents and visitors together.

November 11th - Veteran's Day

This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the service of any military servicemen and women in your facilities. Encourage residents to show off their military uniforms, medals, stories and photographs. Ask residents and families to contribute pictures of themselves while they were enlisted and display the pictures on an "Honor Wall" that everyone can see. If your residents have children or grandchildren currently in the service, ask for those pictures, too. Residents can write letters to those currently serving, or assemble care packages. Three great websites are Operation Gratitude, Soldiers Angels, and Adopt a Platoon.

Have idea we haven't covered here? Feel free to leave a comment below.