Inservice training article for nurses - Alzheimer's Care Guide, Freiberg Press Inc. (USA)

1. (An Inservice Training Article. Quiz p. 12)
What makes a compassionate caregiver,
and how to become one
by Lorena Tonarelli, M.Sc.
Care Guide Student nurses assigned to an uncompassionate senior
Research Reporter nurse failed to become compassionate themselves, unlike
Compassion is an essential ele- those assigned to a compassionate senior nurse, all of
ment of good nursing, and can be whom became compassionate.
learned, enabling caregivers to
improve patient quality of life and
experience greater job satisfaction.
At the heart of nursing is one
special quality: Compassion.
All caregivers need to have this
quality.
But, while some may have the
natural ability to convey compas-
sion to those in their care, others
need help and time to become
skilled at this.
Fortunately, compassion can
be learned.
There isn’t just one way to do
this. Evidence shows classes, on-
the-job training, print and online
educational material, videos, and
workshops all are helpful. But one The compassionate nurse Some may even have what Ru-
element is key to success. But how do you recognize a car- dolfsson calls a “cynical attitude.”
New research in the Journal of ing, compassionate nurse from one They doubt the reasons why pa-
Nursing Management looked at who isn’t? tients seek their help. They often
studies conducted, between 1998 Dr. Gudrun Rudolfsson, of Uni- complain about patients being a
and 2010, on nurses who attended versity West, in Sweden, says: burden, and treat them insensi-
compassionate care training. “The caring nurse is not just a tively.
It found that all student nurses skilled technician who follows
initially learned how to be compas- protocols… but is someone who Why compassion matters
also exhibits attributes such as Compassion is central to good
sionate. But, everything changed
honesty, respect, compassion, nursing for many, well-researched
when, as part of the training,
wisdom and sensitivity.”
they started “shadowing” a senior reasons. These are summarized in
Caring, compassionate nurses
nurse. the journal Nursing Times:
see those they care for as human
Student nurses assigned to an •Patients cared for by compas-
beings.
uncompassionate senior nurse sionate nurses are more likely
failed to become compassion- They consider their patients’
to share problems and con-
ate themselves, unlike those emotions when providing care; and
cerns.
assigned to a compassionate se- do their utmost to alleviate their
As a result, health issues
nior nurse, all of whom became suffering.
compassionate. early, leading to better re-
The uncompassionate nurse
covery.
Uncompassionate nurses, on the
“The caring nurse is not just a •Compassionate caregiving has
other hand, focus more on complet-
been shown to lower patients’
skilled technician who follows ing their tasks in a timely manner.
anxiety and, in turn, increase
protocols… but someone who They are more task-oriented,
the speed with which patients
also exhibits attributes such as and lack genuine concern for their
heal.
patients’ happiness and wellbeing.
honesty, respect, compassion,
wisdom and sensitivity.”
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2. Patients consider a
compassionate attitude
the most desirable
attribute of a nurse,
and the single most
important factor for
determining whether or
with the care received.
•Dementia-related agitated be- Address basic needs
haviors are reduced in health- Start by taking care of your el- Slow down when doing
care settings that promote ders’ basic needs.
compassion.
things with your elders! Be
• With everything you do, do it
•Nurses’ job satisfaction, on the with a warmhearted smile, patient with them. Enjoy
other hand, is enhanced, po- polite manners, and good eye being with them.
tentially improving retention. contact.
•Patients consider a compassion- • Keep them clean, well dressed,
ate attitude the most desir- comfortable and free from
able attribute of a nurse, and pain.
the single most important fac- • If they need help with some-
tor for determining whether or thing, don’t let them wait.
• Check on them often during the
care received. day.
And this, of course, has an • If you say you will come back
impact on a facility’s patient later, keep your promise.
satisfaction scores. • Give them choices.
• Maintain their dignity.
Patients consider a Be sensitive
Consider that your elders have
compassionate attitude special needs compared to younger
the most desirable at- patients.
tribute of a nurse Most have hearing, vision or
other impairments, and need more
time to do things, understand in-
Putting it into practice formation and answer questions.
So far so good, but how do you ac-
tually deliver compassion to those
in your care? Consider that your el-
ders have special needs
you need to use every day? More
than a decade of research has been
compared to younger
conducted on this. patients.
Following are some of the high-
lights.
(Compassion, cont’d next page)
Jan-Feb 2013 Alzheimer’s Care Guide
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3. (Compassion, cont’d)
With everything you do, do it
with a warmhearted smile, polite
manners, and good eye contact.
As a compassionate caregiver,
And it just comes natural to treat They’ll feel good!
you must be sensitive to these
them in a loving, compassionate Remember, elders love talking
needs.
way. about their younger days and their
• Try and talk a little more
So, don’t be afraid to ask your families.
slowly.
elders about their past life and So, you will not simply collect
• Don’t rush them.
themselves. valuable information enabling
• Be patient. And just enjoy the
What things do they like? How the provision of the best possible
time you share with them.
many children and grandchildren person-centered care.
do they have? Were they in the You will also make them feel
Use touch good about themselves, loved
war? Where did they work? Do
Elders also have a particular and very much important.
they have particular interests or
need for human touch. This also applies to elders with a
hobbies?
And, used appropriately, sim- dementia illness, like Alzheimer’s
You can gain a lot of this infor-
ple acts like holding their hand disease.
mation through friendly conver-
or gently stroking their arm, to
sations with your elders... which Most retain the ability to share
provide comfort and reassur-
you should undertake all the information about themselves,
ance, go a long way in address-
time. especially if prompted with family
ing this need.
They love to talk, and reminisce, photos and objects from their past.
Knowing your elders well is im-
and this is an important part of
portant, for some may not want to
be touched, due to personal circum- Be with them
improves their quality of life. Obviously, you need to be with
stances, beliefs or past experiences.
For example, in some cultures, your elders to get to know them
being touched by someone who is well.
That’s why it is important that
not a relative is considered unac- Elders also have a par- you spend as much time as pos-
ceptable.
ticular need for human sible with them.
touch. Stop by as often as you can. Ask
Know them well
them how they are doing, see if
In fact, getting to know your
there is something you can do for
elders is paramount to all aspects
them, and give them a nice compli-
of care.
ment.
It is one of the most important
You may also want to start a
compassionate caregiving tech-
conversation on a common inter-
niques of all.
est.
Because the more you know
Perhaps, for example, you both
patients, the easier it is to value
like gardening. Then, ask them for
them as persons.
some tips. They will be overjoyed
to help!
10 Alzheimer’s Care Guide Jan-Feb 2013

4. Make little things happen Don’ts
You do this with simple loving There are also things you Compassion is the
acts that make your elders hap- should avoid doing, if you want to
pier. be a compassionate caregiver. For essence of good
Bathe them using their preferred example, you should never:
• Act in a disrespectful or angry
nursing.
method.
way; Always be kind. Turning this desire into actions
Make sure the picture of a loved • Talk down to your elders or
one is always at hand. requires the consistent use of
treat them like objects.
Place a small vase with their • Ignore them, or look distract-
techniques.
ed, when you provide care.
Hang their grandchildren’s art- It may seem like hard work.
• Dismiss their concerns or feel-
But all it requires is a warm and
works on the bedroom’s wall. ings as unimportant.
• Be judgmental of their opin- friendly personality. And the
There are endless ways to put
ions and beliefs. results can be hugely rewarding.
a smile on your elders’ face. Be
• Be an ‘absent’ listener; listen Your elders will experience a bet-
creative.
carefully to everything your ter quality of life and less suffer-
Find out what they love – and
elders say.
make it happen!
enjoyable and satisfying.
Hugely rewarding!
And be a good team member
Compassion is the essence of Be a happy,
Finally, consider that if you have good nursing. friendly
good, caring relationships with all It is a desire to develop car- caregiver. Put
members of the healthcare team, ing, affectionate relationships a smile on your
you are more likely to be caring with your elders, based on com- elders’ faces!
and compassionate with those in plete unconditional love…. as
your care as well. well as respect, kindness and
consideration.
(Inservice Quiz p. 12)
may prevent early disability and death
Most people with diabetes have
the type 2 form of the disease. Exercise improves the
It occurs when the body can’t use
normally produces to prevent the type 2 diabetes by up to
sugar in our blood from building 40 percent!
up to unhealthy levels.
If you are caring for elders But those with type 2 diabetes
with type 2 diabetes, make sure
they engage in some form of faster rate.
physical activity every day, such This means they are at greater
as walking, for at least 20 min- risk of developing impairments in
utes. everyday activities and walking,
This simple intervention will help as well as dying, much earlier than
delay early disability and death non diabetics.
But, exercising regularly can help
She concludes: “Type 2 diabe-
say researchers. prevent this from happening, says
Dr. Amy Huebschmann, from the impact on health, but that im-
the heart and circulatory systems University of Colorado School of pact can be improved with as
work, and slowly declines with age. Nursing. simple an intervention as regu-
Huebschmann found that ex- lar brisk walking or other phys-
ness every 10 years, after the age ical activity that most people
of 40 or 50. those with type 2 diabetes by with diabetes can do.”
up to 40 percent, within three
Exercise helps delay early the 2012 meeting of the American
chances of an independent, lon- Physiological Society, at Westmin-
disability and death ger life. ster, Colorado.
Jan-Feb 2013 Alzheimer’s Care Guide
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