In the nursing home setting, communication is a key element for not only the nurse aide to the resident but also the nurse aide to the health care team. One way at Twin Lakes that I used communication with the health care team is through reporting everything that was recorded or performed. After I made the resident's beds and restocked the room with new trash bags and towels, I reported it to the nurse aide in charge and the head charge nurse. Another way of communication with the health care team was to report after assisting a resident. When I finished taking care of a resident, I would immediately document what activities or procedures were completed and report them. On Wednesday I was able to take vital signs from a few of the residents. After I was finished, I would record and report. It is important to maintain constant communication with the charge nurse to ensure the residents are being taken care of and are maintaining good health.
Communicating with a resident that deals with Dementia or Alzheimer's is different than communicating with someone who does not have this disease. When communicating with someone who has Alzheimer's, I had to make sure that I was still speaking to them as if there was no impairment to ensure their quality of life and dignity. I also had to limit distractions, listen closely to their responses, and be pati...
