2. Communication:
Verbal – Written, verbal
Non-Verbal – Body Language
Speak in simple terms, not medical language
Be respectful when speaking and giving care:
a. Do not speak in another language with another
caregiver when helping a resident.
3. Collecting and Reporting Information
Ask open vs closed questions
Collect accurate information, using senses
a. smell, vision, touching
When reporting info to the nurse:
1. Use objective info, not subjective.
Examples of objective info:
a. measurements: vs, weight
b. Color? Temperature/skin?
c. Odors (incontinence, food hoarding, UTI)
4. Collecting and Reporting (contin)
Answering phone:
1. State facility name, your name and title.
2. If not for you, ask if you may place on hold.
Call lights:
1. Always answer if you are nearby
2. Find out need. If you can’t help, get the person
who can.
3. Check careplan in closet
5. Barriers to Communication
Using slang
Hearing level
Using cliches – canned responses
“Everything will be ok”
“We’ve all been there before”
“It could be worse”
Vision impairment
Mental issues:
Mental illness
Dementia
Alzheimers
6. Things that affect Communication
Culture – language
Body language – gestures
Touch
Learning level
Hearing aids
7. Guidelines for Hearing Impaired
Make sure hearing aids are in (theirs and yours!)
Face directly, talk slowly
Touch lightly, get their attention
Do not shout
Repeat, if needed
Use gestures, writing, white boards, if needed
Give and request feedback
8. Guidelings for Visually Impaired
Identify self when entering room
Touch lightly after introduction
Explain fully what you are doing
Describe anything that resident needs to know
about
Use imaginary clock face
9. Mental Health and Illness
Signs of mental health:
A. Gets along with others
Can give and accept love
Adaptable to change
Takes responsibility for own actions and decisions
Impulse control
10. Defense Mechanisms
Unconscious behaviors to relieve stress or cope
with a situation
Can be another barrier to communication
Some common ones:
Denial
Projection
Displacement
Rationalization
Repression
Regression
11. Guidelines for Care
Always treat with dignity and respect
Listen!
Never talk down to anyone
Be honest and direct
Avoid arguments
Be sensitive with touch
12. Combative Behavior
Guidelines:
Never approach from behind’
Block any attempts to hit, etc
Keep safe distance
Get help if needed
May say unkind things, it’s the disease talking
Anger – always report, leave and reapproach
later
13. Inappropriate Behavior
Try distraction and redirection first
Take to private area if redirection not working
Always report
14. Safety
Accident prevention important for both staff and
residents
Body mechanics
Maintain good posture
Legs shoulder width apart
Bend at knees, not waist
Keep package close to your body when lifting
No twisting, instead pivot
15. Accident prevention in residents
Falls – can cause fractures
Risks for falls are throw rugs, slippery floors, clutter,
poor lighting, and call lights that are not close by.
Guidelines for prevention:
Answer call lights promptly
Lock wheelchairs, beds
Clean up spills right away
Get help if needed for moving someone
16. Burns or scalds
Remove resident from heat source
Run under cool water for 5 minutes
Poor hot liquids away from resident
Always test water first, then resident
17. Resident ID
Make sure you know who you are caring for.
Very important for meals. Must identify first.
Choking
Residents must be up at least 90 degrees before
eating.
Place food in unaffected side, if feeding.
Make sure you know what they should have:
Thickened liquids
Type of food texture
18. Bruising/Abrasions
Be gentle with residents
Many are on blood thinners
Very fragile skin
Be careful when transferring residents from bed
to wheelchair and back…and to toilet, then back
to WC.
Watch out for feet and hands when transferring.
19. MSDS
Binder in every facility that gives information on
chemicals that are used.
Contains info on how to clean up, etc
Employers must keep one of these in a location
that you can find.
“Workers Right to Know”
20. Fire
RACE
Remove residents
Activate 911
Contain fire
Extinguish
PASS
Pull the pin
Aim at base of fire
Squeeze handle
Sweep back and forth
21. Medical Emergencies
CPR needed
First aid
Bleeding
Choking
Abdominal thrusts
Heimlich Manuever
Shock – organs not receiving enough blood
Life threatening and dangerous
pale skin, increased HR, low BP
Elevate legs, if able, Call for help (nurse)
22. Bleeding, Fainting
Put on gloves.
Apply Pressure
Lower person to floor or have him/her sit down
23. Insulin reaction, Seizures & vomiting
Cause: Either too much insulin or too little food
Weakness, confusion – give food, report to nurse
If seizure occurs, safety is priority.
Move objects away
Place pillows
Keep your hands away from their mouth
Emesis – give resident basin, help with
washcloth, report
24. Chain of infection
Let’s look on pg 44.
Causative agent
Reservoir
Portal of Exit
Mode of transmission
Portal of Entry
Susceptible Host
25. Prevent Infection and
Transmission
Medical Asepsis – washing hands
Surgical Asepsis – Sterilization for procedures,
etc
Use of standard precautions – “everyone is
infected!”
Protect self when touching body fluids, genital
area, nose, mouth, eyes
Standard precautions must be used on every
person you care for.
