HSA 4941 - Blog #5

This week was a great learning experience for me. I got the opportunity to work with the Social Services Director for the facility.


He had to interview three residents that were admitted to the facility, to assess their psychological state. So we went to each of the patient’s room to interview them. He asked them some basic questions, such as; their routine at home, their profession, whether they take naps in the day, how many years of education they have, religion preferences, appetite, if they wear dentures, and about advance directives. Also, he asked them for the current president’s name, the month and year we were in. One resident got the year we were in question wrong, which is not a surprise. Things like this do happen.


After completion of the interview, the Social Services Director left his business card and a customer service comment card for questions and comments.


I must say that some of the residents that were interviewed became impressed that I was interning at the facility, and quickly made friends with me.

HSA 4941 - Blog #4

This week I worked with the CNA, whom is also the Unit Coordinator and DON (Director of Nursing) assistant.


She is responsible for the scheduling of all CNA’s, RN’s and LPN’s nurses. I observed her doing her scheduling and also inquiring from the nurses, who would like to work on the weekends and which shift they would prefer.


I also attended the normal morning meeting. In the meeting I learned that one patient fell off her bed. To make sure that the patient did not sustain any injuries, an x-ray was done. Luckily, she did not have any broken bones.

HSA 4941 - Blog #3

This week I worked with the Therapy Department. I got the opportunity to work under the Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist. I must say that it was a great experience.


I divided my day among these three therapists and observed each of them. The speech and language pathologist is truly great at what she does. I observed her working with a patient whom was on a feeding tube; she was using very few words to express herself. Hence, the therapist asked her to move her tongue sideways and also to push her tongue out. As simple as this task may sound (as it did to me) the patient had severe difficulty accomplishing them. Only 15 minute therapy was done on this patient, since forcing her to do more, might make her reluctant to continue to improve.


Then it was the Occupational Therapist time with the patient. She helped the patient with her oral hygiene. For example; she used a lemon flavored swab to clean her teeth, gums and tongue.


Lastly, it was the physical therapist time. He lifted the patient’s feet slowly in an up and down movement, and he also did the same to her arms. Then he massages her hands, giving attention to her fingers.


This was truly a great learning experience. I have learned a lot from these three therapists and now I have a greater appreciation for their profession. These therapists really go beyond their call of duty, to help their patients.

Internship - Blog #2

My internship is progressing very good, so far. It is amazing to see how the administrative staff operates on a daily basis.


I must say that i am very surprised that the materials that i read and study in school, are actually taking place. It is like applying the concept that i read in a book to a given situation in the facility.


Today, i spend the day in the Medical Records Department. It was great. I got the opportunity to work with a coder. She showed me how to read a patient's diagnosis (the reason why the patient was admitted to the facility). I also looked up codes for the patient diagnosis. After reading the patient's complete medical file, i had to determine what their principle diagnosis was, followed by the secondary diagnosis. Then i had to see what other v-codes needed to be assigned.


Since my minor is in Helath Informatics Management, i gained knowlege and hands on experience in reading a patients' history and physical sheet, along with other medical records, so that we can bill medicaid.

HSA 4941 - Blog #1

I am doing my internship at Hunter's Creek Nursing and Rehab Center. I am working closely with the Administration staff.

I have familiarized myself with the people and the environment. Since i am there, i have been attending meetings, spending a day in the week with a manager, to get to see how the facility operates in regards to their patients. So far, i did some patients AARP forms and made phonecalls to AARP, to inquire about their benefits. I have also answered the phones.

I am looking forward to learning more, and getting some hands on experience in my field as a Health Service Administrator.

Blog #4 - Elderly Abuse

Nursing home abuse is a growing concern. Approximately 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect. It is concluded that elders who experience abuse, tend to die earlier that those who are not abused. Elder abuse is physical, emotional or physiological harm on an older adult. Physical abuse can be slapping, shoving and restraining with ropes and chains. When a caregiver uses force to cause pain or injury, even if the reason is to help the older person, the behavior can be regarded as abusive. Physical abuse included hitting, beating, pushing, kicking, pinching, burning, biting, over-or under medicating, withholding food, or exposing the person to severe weather conditions.


Emotional or psychological abuse can include name-calling, giving the silent treatment, insults and threats, treating the older person like a child, isolating the person from family, friends, and regular activities by force or threats or through manipulation. Abusive behavior is when a family member, a caregiver, or another person causes fear, mental anguish, and emotional pain or distress.


Sexual abuse is contact with an elderly person without the elder’s consent. This includes physical sex acts, showing pornographic pictures and forcing the elder to undress.


In every state physical, sexual and financial abuses among elders violate laws against assault, rape, theft, and other offenses are punishable as crimes. Most times elders do not report their abuse because they fear the outcome of it and also the fear that no one will want to take care of them, if they report the abuser. If the caregiver happens to be the elderly children then they feel ashamed to report the incidence because somehow they end up blaming themselves for the abuse, for example; they say if they were a better parent then this would not be happening to them.


Work Cited
http://www.geocities.com/~elderly-place/abuse.html

http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/abuse.html

Blog #3 - Adult Day Care

Adult Day Care has been in existence for over 20 years. These centers were designed in mind to give a break to caregivers such as family members who are caring for their loved one day and night. They also provide health services, therapeutic services, and social activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, and other associated problems that the elderly might developed. There are adult day care centers that are specially catered to the dementia population.


Adult Day Care gives caregivers an opportunity to pursue a career outside of the house, get assistance for their loved one and most importantly not feeling as if you have let down your loved one by placing them in an institutional care. The elderly also benefit from this greatly. He or she can still see and be in the presence and comfort of their family and environment. At the adult day care, the elderly can socialize with others of their same age status, engage in activities, receive speech or physical therapy and get help with any activities.


To get an overview of the adult day care, a day there can consist of; supervised care, small group and individual activities such as reminiscence, sensory stimulation, music, art and intergenerational activities; nutritious meals; transportation; case management; recreation and exercise; nursing care; education; family counseling; assistance with activities of daily living; and occupational, speech and physical therapies. These services are tailored according to each of the elderly needs.


There are three types of adult day care. (1) Adult day social care provides social activities, meals, recreation, and some health related services. (2) Adult day health care provides intensive health, therapeutic, and social services for individuals with severe medical problems and for those at risk of nursing home care. (3) Alzheimer’s specific adult day care provides social and health services only to persons with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.


According to Eldercare Online, one should seriously consider using an adult day care when an elderly; can no longer structure his or her own daily activities, is isolated and needs companionship, cannot safely be left at home and lives with someone who works outside the home or who is away from home.


There are many ways that you can go around looking for an adult day care. You can ask; your family doctor, local social services or health department, mental health centers, local senior centers, Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 for AAA in your area) and finally the Yellow pages listing under Adult Day Care Aging Services.



Work Cited

http://www.helpguide.org/elder/adult_day_care_centers.htm

http://www.blessedadultcare.org/

http://www.genuinecareadultctr.com/