Leaving People With Dignity

Once upon a time I worked as a NA. My husband and I worked together, although not always really together... we worked in the same place.

They did wrong, and had us cleaning people without gloves who had diseases. They wanted us to put on filthy helmets in a steam bath room, to blow off fecal matter from bedding, etc. over a commode. Without the door even so much as cracked, this was a very hazardous task.

Then, the final straw was when a veteran CNA started abusing the patients. As if that weren't bad enough, she grabbed our hands and tried to match them up with the red hand print on their bodies... but she was actually the one doing it. It was not worth our minimum wage to risk being accused of such. So we left.

I feel for those who have to live in a home. There is little or no privacy. There is constant smell and noise.

One thing that is very important, if one must place an elderly person in a home, is that these people are reassured that you do not rob them of their dignity.

1. You don't mistreat them, (verbally or physically).

2. You don't leave the door open while you're helping them dress or undress.

3, You let them open their own mail.

4. You don't laugh about them to the other coworkers. You don't belittle them in front of anyone.

Because that's not right.

5. You try your best to respect their wishes, preferences, clothing and other items. Why? Because this is their home.

They are having enough trouble with health matters, for them to have to put up with nonsense.

So, why is it that only a small percentage of the nurses' aids stick around? Sometimes it's because they are being bullied by other workers, or their boss. The pay isn't there. Seeing constant suffering, and working your rearend off is all there is.

But some do care. Some do stay.

These people deserve utmost respect of dignity as well.