Queston of the Day

I answer so many questions every day. They are usually the same questions. Sometimes I get some great questions that the average person does not ask. These are the fun questions where I get to go off autopilot and fly on manual, using all my skills.

This adult child was a step-son who was eager to learn the basics about how care was delivered in our dementia neighborhood. He was very thorough in his research. He was trying very hard to imagine how things worked. I am sure that is where his question came from - his imagination. And so, when he asked,
"Do you have cameras in the rooms?" I was surprised at first, but got it when he added, "Do you have someone watching to see if they have fallen on the floor?"

The subject of fall prevention is HUGE. There is even a Northern Virginia Fall Prevention Coalition. Assisted living and nursing home regulations require fall risk assessments on every resident. My visitor gets points for creativity, but here's why you don't want cameras. Staff need to be available to respond to resident needs and not watching monitors. I went on to tell him no one can prevent falls. You can only reduce the risk. Falls can happen with private duty nurses. Fall prevention is an interdisciplinary responsibility. If I am not active during the day, I will not sleep well at night. The same is true for many of our frail elders and those who are in various stages of dementia. Better sleep = decreased likelihood of me trying to get up by myself in a state of sleepy confusion. BUT if the resident does need care in the night as a rule, it's the job of the caregiver, to know her well enough, to anticipate her needs and check her quietly throughout the night.

I have worked with some amazing CNA's. One of my previous communities in particular, had a stellar team I was proud to lead. The night shift in particular was the busiest. No kidding. Many CNA's sign on for night shift thinking it's a breeze. It's quiet. No real work to do. If that is the case, work is going undone. Night shift should be busy.

I have to be careful not to lecture too much. I love it when I get to be the expert. Who doesn't. But seriously, there are good reasons not to have cameras.

It really was a great question. I let him know that.