What Volunteers and Visitors Need to Know About Nursing Homes
How YOU Can Help
Never before have so many people lived so far away from the people they love. Never before have people lived so long.
By visiting or volunteering in a nursing home, you can do simple things to enrich the lives of the elderly in your community.
To explore opportunities for helping out in a nursing home, contact the director of volunteer services at the facility. Tell the director about any special interests or skills you can share, such as musical or artistic ability. And be sure to find out:
. What activities you will be involved in.
. How many hours you are expected to work.
. What liability you would face if a resident is injured in your presence.
. If you are required to have a physical exam or immunizations.
Finally ask for the names of several volunteers with whom you can talk.
. Keep residents CONNECTED with the world of current events and family.
. Give GIFTS such as books and flowers.
. Ask for STORIES from the resident's life.
. Find ways to give residents as much CHOICE and control as possible.
. Encourage the EXPRESSION of needs and feelings.
When a Resident Has Complaints...
To help a resident enjoy the best care, you should respond appropriately to complaints.
Right Response
Don't overreact. Take the complaint seriously, but explain your need to follow up on their concerns. Try to determine whether or not the complaint is valid by observation and questioning.
Residents' Rights
Residents have rights and responsibilities. Sometimes they are unaware of what these are, or are too afraid to speak up. They may need others to be advocates for them.
Right Person
Get to know the staff so you are able to direct a concern to the appropriate person-in confidence. When you have all the facts, discuss the complaint calmly and explore possible solutions with the appropriate staff person
Follow Up
Remember to be realistic. Monitor the situation and be supportive of the staff AND the resident in trying to achieve a reasonable solution.
Bridging the Generation Gap
If you are a volunteer or visitor who is a member of a younger generation, you can be more effective at adding to the residents' quality of life by recognizing the differences between their generation and yours.
. Their coping mechanisms are different from yours.
. They may not be able to express their needs and feelings easily or clearly.
. They may feel powerless in many aspects of their day-to-day life.
The elderly often do not want to be "taken care of" as much as we may think. They do want to feel valued for who they are today and for what they've accomplished in life. They want and deserve to be treated with dignity.
An effective volunteer or visitor understands the generation gap and seeks every opportunity to bridge it.
10 Basics for a Good Visit
1. Plan your visit. Think about what you will bring, such as books, stationary, newspapers, photos or treats.
2..Arrive when you are expected, or call to let someone know you've had a change in plans
3. Focus on the resident's hopes, needs and desires. Your attention will make the resident feel valued and will provide important emotional support.
4. Be cheerful and positive. By helping a resident see the pleasant aspects of life, you'll help make happiness a habit.
5. Mirror the feelings that the resident express by restating them. This shows that you understand what has been said, and validates the resident's perceptions of the world.
6. Be sensitive to the resident's schedule and stamina. Don't interrupt meals, rest times or planned activities, and be careful not to overtax a resident's physical strength.
7. Adhere to the rules and procedures of the facility. Asking for exceptions to policy for unusual privileges only causes problems and may confuse the resident or others.
8. Learn and respect the resident's sensitivities to privacy, religious matters, family issues, physical limitations and social problems. Try to avoid emotional triggers.
9. Establish patterns that promote happiness and contentment. Taking a walk, reading the newspaper aloud, chatting about sports or the stock market, playing a card game or sharing a favorite treat can become a vital link in the life of a person who was once active and productive.
10. Remember the importance of touch. Residents may feel unattractive or unloved. A gentle hug, an arm around the shoulder, or holding hands helps fill a void for someone who may miss the physical contact of a spouse, children, grandchildren or close friends.
Make Yours a Quality Visit
. Speak clearly. Repeat words as needed.
. Maintain eye contact.
. Watch facial expressions to be sure you're understood.
. Offer to read mail, newspapers, books, or magazines, brush hair, give a shoulder massage, go for a walk, assist in sending letters or greeting cards, play a game - or just talk.
. Avoid distractions such as music, TV or a busy location, so you both can concentrate on your interaction.
. Don't finish the resident's sentences or interrupt thoughts.
. Be patient, especially when the resident has difficulty communicating.
. Try to achieve a balance between talking about the past and the present.
. If the resident seems confused, talk about things within immediate experience - something in the surroundings, such as room decorations or the weather.
. Don't talk to others about the resident in his/her presence.
. Speak to the resident in a tone that conveys respect and patience.
