Retirement village operators

[justakiwi]

“aromas” are not always what a bystander might think they are. The reality is, that no matter how often we change someone’s incontinence products, or how often we assist them with showering/washing, sometimes there is always a lingering smell. Many elderly residents have catheters or colostomy bags. They are very effective solutions to what would otherwise be very difficult and potentially embarrassing situations for people, but they are not 100% odour-proof. If these people were living in their own home, or yours, chances are you would experience “aromas.” It is not specific to rest homes.

If you were to come visit our rest home and wander around chatting with our residents, you would find that they are all very happy with the care we give them. Families also genuinely appreciate the love and care we show their loved ones. Just last week the family of a resident who passed away (in our care) came along and put on afternoon tea all the staff and residents. This was their way of saying “thank you” for the (their words) “Incredible care” we gave their father. They were with him every day - day and night - for about 10 days, before he died, and they saw first hand just how much we care. They were so grateful that their father was able to stay in his rest home “home” to die, and not have to be taken to hospital or hospice. Many tears were shed when he died, and more at the afternoon tea. Not the least of which were our tears.

I have recently trained to be a supervisor. When I work a supervising shift, I work from 3.30 - 11pm. Over tea time we have 3 staff on. After 7.30pm there is me, and one caregiver. We have no RN on during that time. I am responsible for administering medications, including controlled drugs such as morphine. I am responsible for 32 residents. If there is an emergency such as a fire, a resident has a medical issue or accident, I am the one who must act and make the appropriate decisions. If somebody passes away on my shift, I have to manage that and follow the relevant procedures. For all of this additional responsibility I am paid an additional - on top of my standard caregiver rate - $5.60 (after tax and KiwiSaver deductions). That’s it. My dedication, passion and willingness to step up and assume a supervisor’s position, is worth a mere $5.60.

I don’t do this for the money.

Accepted and im sure you do.And as i noted staff are overworked so cant always pickup on an aroma from residents in their lazyboys on wheels as they rush past a room call ,way down the corridor . Sadly at the care place i visit most of the long term carers and nurses who had been there a long time and who had a calling to do this work left when new management came in. Very different now. I have also been told by a carer at one place Adult nappies are issued at a two a day limit and she has had to sneak another one for a resident.