Chapter 8

1. Chapter 8 Understanding the Resident

2. Caring for the Person • For effective care, you must consider the whole person. • The whole person has physical, social, psychological, and spiritual parts. • These parts are woven together and cannot be separated. • Each part relates to and depends on the others. • Disability and illness affect the whole person.

3. 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 by any other name unless they ask you to. • Do not call residents Grandma, Papa, Sweetheart, Honey, or other names.

4. Basic Needs • According to Abraham Maslow: • Basic needs must be met for a person to survive and function. • The needs are arranged in order of importance. • Lower-level needs must be met before the higher-level needs.

5. Basic needs, from the lowest level to the highest level, are: • Physiological or physical needs • Safety and security needs • Love and belonging needs • Self-esteem needs • The need for self-actualization • People normally meet their own needs.

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

7. Religion relates to spiritual beliefs, needs, and practices. • A person’s religion influences health and illness practices. • Many people find comfort and strength from religion during illness. • The nursing process reflects the person’s culture and religion. • Do not judge the person by your standards.

8. Effects of Illness and Disability • Sickness and injury have physical, psychological, and social effects. • Anger is a common response to illness and disability. • To help the person feel safe, secure, and loved: • 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.

9. 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.

10. Nursing Center Residents • Alert, oriented residents • Confused and disoriented residents • Complete care residents • Short-term residents • Life-long residents • Mentally ill residents • Terminally ill residents

11. Behavior Issues • People who do not adjust well have some of the following behaviors: • Anger • Demanding behavior • Self-centered behavior • Aggressive behavior • Withdrawal • Inappropriate sexual behavior • A person’s behavior may be unpleasant. • You cannot avoid the person or lose control. • Good communication is needed. • Follow the care plan.

12. For Effective Communication • Use words that have the same meaning for you and the person. • Avoid medical terms and words not familiar to the person. • Communicate in a logical and orderly manner. • Give facts and be specific. • Be brief and concise. • Understand and respect the resident as a person. • View the person as a physical, psychological, social, and spiritual human being.

13. Appreciate the person’s problems and frustrations. • Respect the person’s rights. • Respect the person’s religion and culture. • Give the person time to process the information that you give. • Repeat information as often as needed. • Ask questions to see if the person understood you. • Be patient. • Include the person in conversations when others are present.

14. Follow these rules for spoken communication: • Face the person. • Position yourself at the person’s eye level. • Control the loudness and tone of your voice. • Speak clearly, slowly, and distinctly. • Do not use slang or vulgar words. • Repeat information as needed. • Ask one question at a time. • Do not shout, whisper, or mumble. • Be kind, courteous, and friendly. • The written word is used when the person cannot speak or hear but can read.

15. 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

16. 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 • Right to dignity and respect just like you and everyone else

17. The person who is comatose is unconscious. • The comatose person cannot respond to others. • The person often can hear and can feel touch and pain. • Knock before entering the person’s room. • Tell the person your name, the time, and the place every time you enter the room. • Use touch and give care gently.

18. Family and Friends • Help meet safety and security, love and belonging, and self-esteem needs • Offer support and comfort • Lessen loneliness • Often help with the person’s care • The presence or absence of family or friends affects the person’s quality of life.

19. Quality of Life • The resident is the most important person in the nursing center. • Learn as much as you can about a person’s religious and cultural beliefs and practices. • Illness and disability affect quality of life. • Always focus on the person’s abilities. • Always treat family and visitors with respect.