CNA Assisting with Activities of Daily Living

As you go through your program gaining the knowledge and educational skills to be able to care for others, you should understand that it should not be taken lightly. It is a privilege in the actions of caring for others and a connection that is not understood by all. Some of us are actually born with a compassion that goes beyond what we are taught. Gaining knowledge and insight gives you a better opportunity to understand your patient needs.

Activities of daily living are essential tasks that we as healthy individuals do daily to perform self-care and wellbeing. We might even take it for granted. The patients who we care for are in need of help with these tasks of eating, bathing, dressing, transferring and toileting. Your skills and knowledge will help in the actions of hands-on approach helping you to focus on your patient’s needs.

When taking care of each task with your patient you should remember that they are in your hands and you should give them the respect and understanding they need to feel listened to and valued as an individual.

Assisting with meals my sound easy, but may not be. Remember to be conscious of their ability to hold utensils based on arm and hand weakness. Set trays up where they can reach items easily. Prior to eating remember we have teeth in our mouths. No problem for us, but others rely on dentures. You must clean prior to having them put in and always check the trays after a patient has finished eating. Some like to take their dentures out and inadvertently place them on the tray under a napkin and guess what happens! They get thrown out. A very costly problem.

I actually had to ask the kitchen staff whose job of throwing out the garbage on the trays to look for some patient’s dentures. A task above and beyond their duties. Their hearts and compassion were so much bigger, they went through the garbage and found the teeth.

When bathing a patient be mindful of privacy. Pulling curtains around, closing a door. Letting patients assist as needed keeping their dignity intact. You will learn in clinic the proper way to drape a patient’s body for bathing. When dressing the patient remember what they can and cannot do for themselves. You will learn the proper way to dress someone with the incapacity to dress themselves. One thing that always seems to get lost or forgotten when someone is in the hospital is their eyeglasses. I know I would be lost without mine. They are an extension of who we are. If your patient has them be mindful to where they are placed so they may be able to use them as needed. We have had few pairs go missing and the hospital purchased new ones.

I spoke about the transferring of patients in another blog. With that said we all need to use the bathroom no matter what. Just think how many times throughout your day you use the facilities. How easy it is to just run to the bathroom. Majority of our patents cannot, its your responsibility to answer the call bells with in a timely fashion to prevent any patient from soiling themselves. Helping them keep control of their bladder and bowels. These activities help to maintain one’s dignity and embarrassment. Remember when leaving a patient’s room don’t forget to ask them if they need anything else, that all items and call bell are within the patients reach.

I worked alongside some phenomenal nursing assistants who in turn took care of me when I was a patient. The abilities they possessed to care for others and meet the needs of each patient was heartfelt and warming to be witness to. From washing and styling hair for a patient who went every week to the beauty parlor to finger nail painting. One aide had a family member who was a barber and was kind enough to come in and give some of our male patients’ haircuts and shaves. We did get permission from the patients doctors before any of this was done.

So, remember that as you are actively listening to your patients, focusing on their needs you are valuing their respect while maintaining their integrity, knowing that you are making a difference in their life.