The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1993-1994 (1-3. szám)
1994-06-01 / 3. szám
Jfrom tlje director of pursing by Cathy Kunkle, RN, DON CANCER IN THE SUN June is Cancer in the Sun Month. There should be no need to say anything more, but the incidence of skin cancer is increasing rapidly. Sun worshippers aren’t happy until their skin is toasted dark tan, but they pay a price for that. According to scientists, the hole in the ozone layer makes ultra violet rays very harmful to the skin. Not only does it cause premature wrinkling of the skin, but causes skin cancer, which can be deadly. activities described as restorative care. These nursing measures include feeding, ambulating, range of motion, toileting, and activities of daily living, or ADL’s. The Restorative Feeding Program has been in operation for several months. The goals of the program are to help residents gain weight or continue at their optimum weight, to coach those residents who need reminding to feed themselves, and to assist residents with special problems in whatever way necessary, retraining if possible. It also gets residents out of their rooms fora change of scenery and some socialization. All residents involved in the feeding program have gained weight, except two. One of those kept her weight at the same level, the other left the program due to a general decline in health. Wearing an appropriate sun screen can eliminate the danger. Ask your pharmacist to guide you in selecting one, and apply it at all times before going out in the sun to all body parts being exposed. You will still tan. In addition, you should wear protective sun glasses, and perhaps a sun hat or visor. Those persons who are fair-skinned need to be twice as careful, because their skin is more easily damaged. Always use sun screen on babies and children, they sunburn very easily. Be careful! Just because a suntan looks good, doesn't mean it’s good for you. NURSES AIDE DAY Career Nurse Assistant (or Nurse Aide) Day is celebrated Thursday, June 2nd. Nurses aides are the backbone of the nursing home. Our nurses aides spend most of their time administering direct care to the residents. They help residents to be as independent as possible. For other residents, the nurses aides give total care for all activities of daily living. Caring for them day after day, they sometimes develop special relationships with residents. They know what each resident can do, they can communicate with residents about what they need or want. The residents come to depend on them. Certainly, the job of a nurses aide is not easy. Helping people in and out of bed requires a lot of lifting, and sometimes a lot of coaching and coaxing. Persuading a resident to do something he or she perhaps doesn’t want to do, or doesn’t understand, takes time and patience. Nurses aides must treat residents with respect and kindness, and hope that they get a little respect and kindness in return. To our Nurses Aides, we “Thank You” for your hard work and dedication. RESTORATIVE NURSING The nursing staff is continuing to make progress with our Restorative Program. This program is mandated by the state, and requires us to account for various The nurses aides routinely perform most of the other restorative measures. We just need to formalize and organize the programs. This is the responsibility of CorenaStiffler, LPN. Eventually, for each segment of the program, residents will be assessed, nurses aides will do the restorative care and document it on flow sheets. Nurses notes will document the progress or lack of progress. In turn, the monthly summaries will reflect participation in restorative care. This information, along with the restorative assessment, will be reflected in the care plan of each resident. Nurses aides are now assigned to a wing for a month. This promotes continuity of care, and the aides know the residents well enough to make suggestions concerning their care. All of these things involve change and organization, but will result in better and more efficient care for our residents. Freedom Highlights We sometimes take for granted our “freedom” that we have here in our country. Being able to choose what books to read, churches to attend, places to visit, etc. without experiencing any problems. The following poem is dedicated to everyone in honor of our upcoming Independence Day. SONG FOR YOUNG AMERICANS I live in a land where the people are free And joy is a birthright belonging to me. Love shelters my home like a wide-branching tree. The doors of the church are open to me. The schools unlock treasure with truth for a key. A whole world of wonder is waiting for me. I live in a land where the people are free; The future shines golden for children like me.
