May 11, 2010, 10:52 am
HI
I wanted to add some suggestions about things a buddy can tell a new employee. I am thinking of my own experiences here. Although I have a few years exp as an AIN in aged care I just started somewhere new so I can relate to the experience of the new employee.
1. You dont always get a comprehensive explanation of the requirements of residents (eg, stand-up lifter etc) during a handover. I would tell a new person to look around the room for the equipment they can see eg, is there a walker - this suggests that the resident can at least stand. This helps determine the best way to help the resident with their ADLs. I know there is supposed to be a notice somewhere in the room telling you what to use but these are not always accurate. This point also applies to denture and hearing aid containers.
2. I would recommend the buddy help the new person draw up a list of the residents that require 2 people to do the showering etc. Again, if the handovers are 'light' the new person will feel more confident about asking for help. Having a complete resident list would be even better. During the buddying you can point out certain things like 'hearing aids kept in the medicine trolley etc' that the new person can write down. This will help especially if the buddy shifts are in an easy section then when you are on the floor you are confronted with more complicated residents.
3. Tell the new employee the breaks system. How long do you get if you are working a shorter shift? etc. In the morning we have a resident list but the break lengths written on it are wrong. Tell the new employee when people usually take a break eg, do the finish all the showers then go? Do people wait until after lunch etc.
4. Not all employees are equal. Let the new employee know who they can ask questions of when you are not on shift. There are usually a few stellar workers who can be relied upon for giving help.
5. I would tell the new employee if there is an order to do the residents in, that saves time. For example, "resident 12 gets up early and will put on too many clothes. Go to them first for a shower and get them out of their room" - just an example, this means you wont be battling with them to get them changed etc later on. Also consider if a relative comes to visit a resident in the morning.
6. Tell them about the importance of regular toileting of the residents especially after eating. This can save cleaning up messes. This includes putting people on the toilet just before going to bed. Elderly people just need to go to the toilet more often. You cause yourself more grief when you have to change a pad when the person is wearing pants and heavy shoes etc and they have soiled their underpants or net pants. It much easier to get into the habit of regular toileting.
I hope this helps. This would have helped me when I was starting.
MaryM
