nursing homes
i'm retired and thought i would volunteer at a nursing home. here is where it goes down hill. i had to fill out 6 pages of exculpatory clauses relieving them of any civil and criminal penalties and a lot of what they expected of me.i have a soft spot for old folk so i choked a little bit them signed them. i brought my dog in and the old folk loved her but here come some whale of a nurse telling me i am breaking the law by having the dog too close to the dining area. she didn't have to be so mean about it. then they wanted all the veterinay records for the dog so l left the dog home on the next trip. i became attached to some of the old folk and asked if i could take their pictures. they said yes and guess what? here comes another lady telling me pictures are not allowed except for family members. she didn't say it in the friendliest of tones either. i left and i'm not sure if i'm going back. i feel like a sap for even trying.[:(]
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You had good intentions, but in a world that fears lawsuits, that is what good people are met with.
Thats too bad![xx(]0 -
Some people don't belong in healthcare. Healthcare is about caring for people. Maybe the dog was in the wrong place - let's fix it and go on. Maybe pictures aren't allowed - could be that they don't understand HIPAA, and are scared that's a violation. In any event, when you walk in and see those elderly folks enjoying something, why not try to work it out instead of just being ugly about it and shutting it down? Good grief.
Maybe you could talk with the NH administrator, let him know that you're only trying to help, and find out what CAN be done how to do them properly?0 -
Don't give up G. My wife has been a charge nurse in a home for 30 years. They welcome volunteers and some bring dogs and other animals. There is something called animal therapy you know. It's just the place you selected. It probably would be best to talk to the home admin about what you would like to do first. Then any staff's personnal opinions wouldn't matter. Go for it! 0 -
You have to hang on the cross if you want to wear the crown.
Buck up man! Six whole pages, and your dog in the kitchen? Good thing none of the old folks fell down.0 -
The dog is a great idea. It is true, they need vet stuff for the dog. Once you do that, the more you bring it in the more the residence will love you. You could be the key for happiness for many of them who really wouldn't have a visitor see them. As for the pictures and the HIPPA thing, well I'm sure they are also concerned with potential complaints to the state quality assuance commision. 0 -
i talked to the admin lady. she was an ***hole. i might go back on week ends so as not to deal with the admin clowns. mateomasfeo, does the nursing home you visit have such rules? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Gotteskrieger
i talked to the admin lady. she was an ***hole. i might go back on week ends so as not to deal with the admin clowns. mateomasfeo, does the nursing home you visit have such rules?
I think I detect a tongue in cheek slam there, but let me assume it was not and answer your question to the best of my ability.
My wife is an RN and is director of nursing at a 100 bed nursing home facility. She has been a D.O.N. for 7 years. She is a nice lady (the ying to my yang!) but is ferociously protective of the old codgers. Their well being and my wife's license are on the line everyday. There are pets at her facility and they have quite a positive profound effect. I have seen it myself.
I asked my wife about it, and yes, only a fool would allow a animal around old folks, some of whom are mentally/physically weak, without procuring shot records and determining the disposition of the animal. Keeping it away from food service only makes common sense. As to liability documentation and federal privacy rules, these are in place to protect the weak who are not capable of protecting themselves, and protect the homes. If nursing homes were no longer profitable to run, what would the alternative be? For some, these homes are the only option.
Replace the old people with little kids and perhaps you will understand. Abuse of the elderly is JUST as big a problem as child abuse.
If the nurse was an ass, well, understand that 100 beds means 100 families demanding to know what is going on in the home, and rightly so. It is a demanding job, I sure couldn't do it. If somebody was around who didn't follow the rules, rudeness would be the least of their problems if I was admin.
If you are there to help, then follow the rules and help. If not, go home and mow your yard.0 -
Dang it....don't you dare let those evil people take you away from those elderly people. I can just imagine how some of them looked foreward to having a visitor.....and even those who you THOUGHT didn't really appreciate you coming I just KNOW you made their day. I bet if you could see how you coming really did give them a little "pick-me-up" and broke up a monotinous routine you would go and pick up those vet records and just smile as you passed their desk. PLEASE go back!!!! I just know you are exactly what they need! 0 -
I was visiting in a nursing home in Kansas, and this dog comes walking by. A very large, very fat, Aussie/Border Collie mix. The dog lived in the home, and apparently had the run of the place. She would just wander about, spreading joy and getting petted wherever she went. 0 -
Well, just this week: How about the angel of death cat? If the cat decidced to cuddle up with you for a few minutes, you were toast.
Back to original subject: you read all the time about animals in nursing homes. Looks like there should be some industrancy standard and then let them if the inmates want them. You just don't want animals with mange and worms mingling with old people.
Actually nowadays, I would be more concerned about some of the patients giving my animal some sort of disease!! Tom0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
She has been a D.O.N. for 7 years.
I knew it! I just knew it!
Friggin' cupcake.0 -
When my grandmother went to a nursing home, she had a dog, which I kept for her. We often took the dog with us to visit my grandmother, and the DON, administrator, and all staff welcomed it with open arms. The dog was friendly, and lots of the old people enjoyed petting it.
A place with no dogs? Sounds like HELL to me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
She has been a D.O.N. for 7 years.
I knew it! I just knew it!
Friggin' cupcake.
More like a hot apple pie...0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
My wife is an RN and is director of nursing at a 100 bed nursing home facility.
Would she have an opening for a Spanish speaking RN with a specialty in critical care?
[:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Polite Psycho
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
My wife is an RN and is director of nursing at a 100 bed nursing home facility.
Would she have an opening for a Spanish speaking RN with a specialty in critical care?
[:)]
In Texas there are ALWAYS openings for Spanish speaking RN's.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
She has been a D.O.N. for 7 years.
I knew it! I just knew it!
Friggin' cupcake.
More like a hot apple pie...
Here, let me make it easier for you:
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
She has been a Don for 7 years.
quote:I knew it! I just knew it!
Friggin' cupcake.
Better?0 -
Duh, Mr. Rob, you beddy funny guy Joe.
Me no getty first time! Tank you makey crear for dum dum.
That was a good one you knarly old goat! But you know how that will affect DCON with his bipolar condition.
[:D][:D]0 -
Gotteskrieger......... Your heart in in the right place, thats for sure.
My mom was in a nursing home for 8 months before she died last oct. She loved the place. They also had a little dog that had the run of the place and all the residents loved it.
I didnt realize volunteers had to jump through so many hoops. I commend you for your volunteer spirit.0 -
My sister is a RN and Director of Nursing at the local nursing home. I've been going in daily for about 6 month for her to check my blood pressure. The owner of the nursing has two dogs, both labs that have the run of the place except for 2 or 3 rooms where the ladies have a cat that stays with them. The old folks just love having the dogs come in their room to visit them. Sis says having the dogs around is the best thing for the elderly. 0 -
I don't formally volunteer but I sometimes go to the gospel song service on Wednesday mornings at one of our local homes. Nobody seems to mind much that I'm not there to visit anyone in particular.
quote:Originally posted by Gotteskrieger
i left and i'm not sure if i'm going back. i feel like a sap for even trying.[:(]
That seems pretty wimpy for someone with a handle of "God's Soldier" - as for the staff being rude and admin a$$aholic the only excuse I can offer is that they're probably waaay overworked. By all means, go back on the weekends if that's better for you, but don't give up.0
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