Nurses in nursing homes have tough jobs. They need to be appreciated more. There tends to be a bias against nurses when a patient complains. If an incident occurs, people (usually outsiders) will point to the staff stating that the nurses or other professionals are not doing their jobs properly, but case histories have shown that this is not always the case.
Let’s examine the nurses’ functions at senior homes, which will help us get a better feel for what their daily responsibilities are and some of the difficult tasks they encounter when on the job.
Usually, as many of us are aware, good news and standard procedures that are not newsworthy never get top billing; subsequently, very little appreciation is shown for the staff when providing routine administrative and/or medical tasks at these homes.
Why Should Nurses be Appreciated?
It may look easy but caring for people in their old age can be quite of a challenge. They have their moods and preferences, their emotions are often heightened and meltdowns over the smallest of things can be an everyday routine; some also completely shut themselves up. They have health conditions that require constant attention and understanding in order to be handled well. Being in such an intense environment can often take a toll but a significant majority of nurses try to give their best to make the lives of the elderly and their stay at senior homes worthwhile.
Mental Illnesses
The most challenging part about senior living is dealing with mental illnesses. The life events and harshness of experiences often leaves them with a lot to deal with in old age. Additionally, the age and physical condition also take their toll. Many people fall victim to degenerative diseases in their old age. More often than not, they also face comorbid disorders and diseases which further worsen their condition. Disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s leave them completely dependent on others and unable to manage their most basic needs as well. Depression, too, is very common in old age. Nurses play a very important role as a communicator, supporter, friend and even more in giving the elderly the kind of attention they need. Their presence is often the source of happiness for many. A lot of nurses go out of their way to make sure that they are happy and comfortable.
Physical Illnesses
Physical healthcare is very important in the old age. The healthcare system itself is burdened with the problem of under-staffing due to the increasing number of people in old age; which is expected to increase further in the coming years. Attending to their medical needs, keeping everything up to date and organized, and providing instant care in case of an emergency constitutes the regular job of nurses. However, there are times where things take a turn for the worse and their condition deteriorates even further. We need to consider how emotionally and physically stressful the job of a nurse is. It is not easy to see people fighting diseases, loneliness, disorders and heartbreak.
Nurses work beyond their capacity in many places. A little appreciation can lift up their spirits and encourage them to give their best in the future too. A few black-sheep should not malign the hard, laborious and selfless efforts of the many hardworking individuals that perform their daily duties every day.