Tips for Visiting a Nursing Home Resident

General:

• Knock before entering a resident’s room. Remember you are entering someone’s home. This is also a state regulation.
• Orient a resident to the date, time, and your name.
• Introduce yourself each time you visit; names are easy to forget.
• Leave a note, business card, or something that states you visited. Residents are sometimes forgetful and family members will be pleased to know that their loved one had some company.
• Accept rejection; you may want to re-approach a resident after a few minutes.
• Sit for best visual and hearing potential. Talk louder only when necessary for communication.
• Be patient. Give residents the time they need to express themselves.

Things to Do and Say:

• Many residents need encouragement to talk. You can be prepared with information about current events, ask questions, or share stories about yourself to give the conversation a boost.
• Talk! Residents need the attention and stimulation. They might not always join in the conversation.
• Use picture books or a personalized memory book with labels/names on pictures. A church directory works great for an active member of the congregation to catch up on fellow parishioners.
• Read church bulletins and catch the resident up on what’s happening in his or her church.
• Touch is important. A hug, back rub, or holding hands feels great anytime!
• Validate a resident’s feelings. If a resident says that his or her mother was in to visit, don’t disagree, even if that person’s mom couldn’t have visited because she has been dead for 20 years. Just reaffirm the resident in the timeframe that he or she is in and say something like “That was nice. I hope you enjoyed your visit.”
• Hearing is the last sense to go, so don’t talk about a dying resident in front of them because he or she can hear you!
• Bring a treat if you’ve checked with the charge nurse for any dietary restrictions.
• Bring a special treat like fresh strawberries, a milkshake, pizza and a cold beer, etc. (Check with the charge nurse to see if you’ll have to substitute non-alcoholic beer!)
• Residents need a change of environment and like to be outside in nice weather.
• Residents love children and dogs. If you’d like to bring a pet to visit Vincentian Home, it must be on a leash and be current with shots. Animals are allowed in resident rooms and dining areas as long as food is not being served. Animals are not permitted in enclosed gardens and courtyards. For other facilities, check with staff regarding the pet visitation policy.
• Music therapy works. Sing hymns, songs from their era, or music that you think they’d enjoy.
• Do hand massages, shoulder rubs, manicures or fix someone’s hair. Everyone loves to be pampered.
• Try aromatherapy-- but no candles allowed.
• Trivia and word games keep the mind sharp.
• Come eat dinner with a resident.
• Reminisce about the good old days.
• Take a resident to the chapel or quiet area and spend some quality time with him or her.
• Encourage residents to put their feet up on their footrests.
• Ask a resident what they’d like you to do for them.

Rules & Precautions:

• Wash your hands upon entering the facility and when leaving.
• Never come when you are not feeling well. If a resident is expecting you, you can call the nurses’ station for them to relay a message.
• Do not offer food or drink to a resident unless you know their current dietary needs. If a resident requests food or drink, please seek out a staff member for assistance.
• Never take a resident to the bathroom or transfer a resident from bed to chair. Press the call bell if help is needed. State safety regulations require that this type of assistance be performed only by staff.
• When a sign says See Nurse Before Entering, see the nurse. MRSA, c-diff, VRE and shingles are the most common communicable diseases in a nursing home. You are able to visit, but avoid exposure to bodily fluids and wash your hands after your visit.
• If you have any exposure to blood, go to a nursing station. They have special products to disinfect.
• If a resident is bumped or injured during your visit, report it to the nurse. Accidents do happen. All accidents need documented so that the injury is accounted for and will not have to be reported to the state.
• Report any problems or unusual behaviors to the charge nurse.

ENJOY!