Connecting with Seniors in Your Short-Term Rehabilitation Facility
Posted: 09.08.2015
Short-term rehab is often required after injury, accident, or decline in a major health condition. Seniors are more likely to require short-term rehab after a hospital stay than a younger adults, meaning you could have a higher percentage of senior patients in your rehabilitation facility. Although their stay will be short, taking the time to connect with your patients is a must. Even so, you should adjust your approach to connecting with seniors. Turn to the tips below to do just that.
Ask a Few Questions
You and your team are sure to introduce yourself to all new residents, but it’s also important to ask seniors or their family members a few additional questions. Below are a few suggestions:
Use the answers to the senior-specific questions to create a customized care plan beyond the general protocol. For example, many seniors are far more modest than even their children’s generation. This knowledge will help you to determine if a female or male CNA or nurse is most appropriate for bathing or dressing. Talking with seniors about their friends, family, and pets will also help you connect.
Discuss and Ease Their Fears and Concerns
A stay in a rehabilitation facility can, of course, be scary and stressful for anyone, but seniors are more prone to depression—out of concern that they’re losing their health and independence. They may also be concerned that their family is keeping them out of the loop and making decisions on their behalf, or that the rehab facility is the next step prior to moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. You may not have the answers to all of their questions, but you can be the person your patient is comfortable discussing their fears and concerns with. Although you must maintain patient confidentiality, the information you learn could help when speaking with your patient’s family.
Making your patients feel connected, engaged, and as comfortable as possible is a must—and these are a few additional considerations when working with your senior patients.
Ask a Few Questions
You and your team are sure to introduce yourself to all new residents, but it’s also important to ask seniors or their family members a few additional questions. Below are a few suggestions:
- Does he/she preferred to be called by their first name or Mr. or Mrs.?
- What did he/she do before they retired?
- What are the names of their husband, wife, kids and family that will visit?
- What are the names of their pets?
- How is their eyesight?
- How is their hearing?
- What is their level of modesty?
Use the answers to the senior-specific questions to create a customized care plan beyond the general protocol. For example, many seniors are far more modest than even their children’s generation. This knowledge will help you to determine if a female or male CNA or nurse is most appropriate for bathing or dressing. Talking with seniors about their friends, family, and pets will also help you connect.
Discuss and Ease Their Fears and Concerns
A stay in a rehabilitation facility can, of course, be scary and stressful for anyone, but seniors are more prone to depression—out of concern that they’re losing their health and independence. They may also be concerned that their family is keeping them out of the loop and making decisions on their behalf, or that the rehab facility is the next step prior to moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. You may not have the answers to all of their questions, but you can be the person your patient is comfortable discussing their fears and concerns with. Although you must maintain patient confidentiality, the information you learn could help when speaking with your patient’s family.
Making your patients feel connected, engaged, and as comfortable as possible is a must—and these are a few additional considerations when working with your senior patients.