ANOTHER CASE AGAINST ALARMS

I am very concerned about the increase in the use of personal and bed alarms in long term care facilities. In my opinion, we have exchanged physical restraints for psychological restraints in the form of devices that emit an annoying noise when the resident moves.

We say they are valuable to "alert" us. That seems to fall in the category of staff convenience at best as the alarm serves as a means of notification of an incident rather than prevention of an incident.

What about the effect of the alarm on the resident? If it works at all to stop an action it does so by psychological intimidation. An archaic approach at best. Actually an approach that is not sanctioned even when working with possible criminals. Since we never use alarms on alert oriented residents, the problem is simply compounded by the resident's dementia.

So the bottom line is we take a person who already is having problems understanding their environment and make them buzz when they move.

Recently there was an interesting article discussing ALARM FATIGUE for hospital staff members. Take a moment to review the video and the article and then please consider the rampant use of these devices in the care of the elderly.

Simply click on the title of this blog to read the Boston Globe article on ALARM FATIGUE IN HOSPITALS.

FAMILY CAREGIVERS SEMINAR

11/9/10 Diana was honored to be a part of a dynamic seminar hosted by Senior Independence Home Health & Hospice, Toledo, Ohio. Caring for a loved one with cognitive loss is demanding and often offers frustration to the caregivers. The family caregivers attending the seminar were pleased to learn a wide variety of techniques to increase the value of their conversations including 1) Never say "NO" and 2) Capture stories from the person's past that are enjoyable. Each participant received a copy of Diana's book I WAS THINKING and began completing it during the seminar.

Diana shared that knowing how to begin conversations makes all the difference in the outcome. Family members shared that although they had made some of the common mistakes in the past, such as starting a conversation with a short-term memory question, they felt ready to try a new approach. They left the seminar empowered to "give it another try."

TALK TO ME!

Diana has presented this dynamic and fun seminar across the USA to scores of long term care professionals.

As expected, Diana offered many practical and immediately useable tips to assist staff members in talking with each other. When communication is effective the quality of the resident care skyrockets! The basis of person-centered care is grounded in successful staff to staff communication.

Although each recommendation is priceless (just ask Diana!), here are a few that Diana would suggest you commit to memory:

1. When you see a behavior, don't play amateur psychologist. Your first thought needs to be "I don't know what they are thinking". Then stating the behavior you see allows the other person to tell you what they are thinking.

2. Success in dealing with a negative co-worker requires the implementation of a simple 5 step approach.

3. Talking behind a co-workers back is acceptable ONLY AFTER you have first told the person that you plan to talk behind their back!

4. Be a role model for the negative person, by eliminating negative talk in your communication.

5. When giving another person directions, assure they got your message by stating "Could you please repeat back to me what I told you to make sure I GOT IT RIGHT." Not "to see if YOU got it right."

What would you do if....

1. A co-worker says "We never have enough linen."

Diana suggests that you assist the person in gathering facts to support their position prior to taking the issue forward to the person who can truly assist you.

2. A co-worker gives you information and requests your assistance.

Diana suggests that you follow-up after the issue is solved you value their involvement and to demonstrate that you cared about their efforts.

Diana's DVD TALK TO ME! is entertaining but oh so valuable in teaching additional simple and effective communication techniques.

Want to ask Diana a specific question? Visit her CONTACT US page and ask away!

VISITS WITH VALUE!

Diana Waugh has presented the VISITS WITH VAUE program more than 35 times to over 3000 enthusiastic long term care providers in 13 states.

One of her rewarding events was when she traveled with the Alzheimer's Association of the Great Plains speaking at four locations across Nebraska and Wyoming to over 150 family members and 240 long term care healthcare professionals.

She was also interviewed by Cathy Blythe of KFOR in Lincoln, NE. It was energetic and helpful. Here's the link to listen to a portion of that interview.

As expected, Diana offered many practical and immediately useable tips to assist staff members in teaching residents' families and friends how to have successful conversations with their loved one with cognitive loss. Maintaining a calm contented atmosphere during visits leads to increased resident and family satisfaction.

Although each recommendation is priceless (just ask Diana!) here are a few that Diana would suggest that you commit to memory:

1. Empower families by explaining that short-term memory questions often lead to increased anxiety for the resident.

2. Encourage families to refrain from the use of the words "NO" and "DO YOU REMEMBER?"

3. Help families explore the remaining strengths their loved one possesses. Often the focus is on what's missing not on what strengths the resident still exhibits.

4. Teach families through demonstration of successful conversation techniques utilizing the resident's long term memories.

5. Assist family members with their homework to capture the stories and likes of their loved one.

What Would You Do if....

1. A resident continues to ask for their husband who is deceased.

Diana would suggest you teach them to say "Tell me the neatest thing about your husband." Reminiscing with good memories about their loved one will fill their five minute concentration span with pleasant memories while the hope is they will leave the topic contented.

2. A family is distressed because their mother doesn't remember the new grand child.

Diana suggests that you use the phrase "I was thinking about my new grand child, Tommy." If their mother recalls the child they will join in the conversation. If not, the story belongs to the family member and does not demand that their mother "remember."

Diana's DVD VISITS WITH VALUE gives additional tips as you demonstrate your knowledge as a dementia expert with family members.

Want to ask Diana a specific question? Visit her CONTACT US page and ask away!