Good communication skills are crucial in all aspect of life and should be tailored to the particular circumstances. You may need to talk more slowly and give elderly individuals more time to answer if they have vision or hearing issues. So that the resident can see your expressions, face them. For all conversations, making eye contact is considerate.
Use a normal tone and volume while speaking to a client who is visually impaired. Loss of hearing is not the same as loss of eyesight. Never presume the client will know your voice when you enter the room; always introduce yourself. Introduce anyone else who may be there. Reduce distractions and turn off the television. There is no need to refrain from using words like "see" or "look"; speak normally. Speak with the client directly. Let them know when you plan to leave the room.
When a client always responds the same way to all conversations or questions, take time to determine if they understand what is being said. Are they able to hear? Do they have expressive aphasia? Can they understand English? Are they trying to please the nurse aide? Once you know the reason, you can adapt your care for the client.
After learning about any missing object, first do a complete search. Check drawers, linens, pockets, and any nearby area. Often these items are simply misplaced. If not located, report to loss to the nurse and complete any forms. This relieves the nurse aide of responsibility. if the item is found, notify the nurse. Do not contact the family, this is not within the scope of care for a nurse aide.
The first thing to do when working with a deaf client is to find out how the client prefers to communicate. This will lower the client's anxiety. Begin by writing to introduce yourself and to ask questions. Always maintain eye contact so the client knows you are communicating with them. If they prefer to lip read, speak normally. Smiling interferes with natural speaking. Adding gestures is acceptable and can increase their understanding.
Keep a few things in mind when speaking to deaf clients. Make sure there is enough illumination first. Secondly, face the client squarely and make eye contact. Next, speak a little more slowly to give the client time to become used to your voice. Include gestures. If the client is perplexed, write or doodle.
Paraphrasing is a way of repeating what the other person has said, but in similar words. The original idea is kept, but presented in a different way. Example: Original statement by a patient: "I've lived to see so many changes in the world." Paraphrase by the nurse aide: "You have witnessed a lot of progress."
Clarification is an important part of communication. When you receive a message that you don't understand, ask the speaker to explain. Simply say, "I'm not sure what you said about…" or "I don't feel clear about..." It is always good to repeat back the instructions so the speaker knows you understand. It can be dangerous to give any client care when uncertain about how to complete a task.
Do not ridicule or disgrace a resident if they are confused or make an error accidently. Don't bring up the issue again and assist them in fixing it. Try to avoid making mistakes by putting their shoes in a different order or categorizing their clothing by outfit. Consider it from their viewpoint: Do hues resemble one another? Is there sufficient light to make outfit decisions? Do what you would like someone else to do for you.
To assist clients in understanding their environment, repeat and provide information. Use the client's name often to keep them focused. Calendars and clocks serve as reinforcement for information like date and time. Seasonal accents are also beneficial.
When a new resident enters the facility, it is appropriate to first address them formally, such as "Mrs. Smith" or "Mr. Jones." After you introduce yourself and begin to provide care, you can ask which name they prefer. Many older people choose to continue with a formal name. Others may be more comfortable with a first name. Using pet names such as "Honey" is not respectful.
Non-verbal communication can help the nurse aide understand a resident's condition. Facial expressions, such as grimacing, frowning, or tight lips can indicate pain. Moaning or becoming completely silent are signs of discomfort. Rubbing or holding a part of the body are involuntary actions that tell where the resident hurts. When a resident's words do not match their actions, look for non-verbal cues that can help determine how to assist the resident.
Communication requires someone who shares information. In oral communication, this is the speaker. The receiver is the person who listens to the message. In written communication, the sender is a writer and the receiver is a reader. The message is the information that is exchanged between the sender and receiver.
58% of all communication is non-verbal, according to research. Eye contact, facial expressions, body language, gestures, and touch are all part of it. It also includes voice tone and pitch. Consider the various ways in which the words "yes" or "truly" might be expressed to get an idea of how effective non-verbal communication can be.
The nurse aide is always able to offer support to the client and their family. The role of the nurse aide does not include providing medical recommendations. Listen to concerns and tell them you will report to the nurse. Never offer medical advice on your own or discuss other clients, even if asked.
Every healthcare provider eventually loses patience with a difficult patient or circumstance. Don't ignore your emotions. It's crucial to locate a secure channel for voicing your worries. Keep in mind the laws governing client privacy and refrain from discussing matters with coworkers and friends. Supervisors have experience and can provide opinions and recommendations. Keep in mind that working with clients may be enjoyable and challenging at the same time.
CNA Legal & Ethical Behaviours #1
