I'm a home support worker. I have an elderly client that when I bathe her, she sits on a towel on her shower seat and another towel on the toilet while I dry her. Afterwards, I always notice large brown smears on the towels. I only help her wash her back and legs...she does her privates herself when she first gets up (or so she says). I also noticed her nightgown had brown smears. Could this be a medical problem or is she just not cleaning herself properly? She has enough flexibility that she should be able to clean herself well. I'm just wondering if this is something of concern I should mention to my boss.
2006-10-14 13:35:49 · 6 answers · asked by Dellajoy 6 in Health ➔ Other - Health
That's a good question for your boss. Questions should be appreciated, as it shows that you really care about the quality of your work and the wellfare of your patient(s).
2006-10-14 13:41:32 · answer #1 · answered by tonya_momma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she could be becoming incontinent of bowels...happens with older age....bring the subject up with her and be upfront...ask her if she knows she has this problem with smears and if she has trouble cleanning herself. provide some disposable liners (long ones) and let her know to change it a few times a day explain to her the risks of allowing feces to be in contact with skin and mention it to your boss if she doesn't want to do anything about it.
2006-10-14 20:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Ruth Less RN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that it's a medical problem but more likely that she isn't cleaning well. Either way you need to report it. If she isn't cleaning properly, that can lead to serious problems and it can be a symptom of depression or dementia or impaired senses.
2006-10-14 20:39:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kuji 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes tell your boss..........she is not cleaning herself or is having some diarhea spurts maybe also!
2006-10-14 20:37:19 · answer #4 · answered by crownvic64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be inconstanence. I would talk to her and her family first.
2006-10-14 20:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Ria L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say... yes. ;-(
2006-10-14 20:40:42 · answer #6 · answered by jeffsav93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋