for nurses or personal carer???

Question

why would you like to work in an aged care environment... just wondering. thanks for your geniune answers.

Answer 1

I always have chosen to work with the Gero patients. I did CVA care in an acute physical rehab hospital unit, even taught a course to the patients and families. I started my medical career in a nursing home, and started my RN nursing career in one.
In another physical rehab job, I worked with mostly middle-age to elderly patients..
I always thought that it was because my parents were considerably older than those of my friends, and my parents tended to associate with people the age of their parents. I grew up surrounded by the elderly, and I guess I learned a little about them, or was accustomed to them.
Now, I work Gero-psych, in a hospital, and it is interesting. I get very frustrated with the medical community and society. We are not very compassionate with our elderly in the USA, and even less to those with mental problems. They get decent care in our facility, way better than the places they came from.
People in general, and some nurses, look down on me because I like gero, and like psych, and make comments about it. My answer is somebody has to do it, might as well be someone who likes it, and why not me? Emergent care, pediactrics, and OB-Gyn is not for me, I knew it in school. I thought about home health, but in this area, in the ice and snow of winter, and our hills, I do not think so.
I work in these areas because I personally like it, because few other people do, because it is very rewarding. The patients come to us frightened, traumatized from their previous experiences, dirty, malnourished, and learn to trust again, and get better physically, and mentally. and thanks to our SS department, often do not have to go back wherever they came from.
Occasionally, I've had to help one into heaven, and that, too, was a good thing.

Answer 2

I have worked in an aged care enviroment, now I work with the disabled, (higher ratio for carer:client)
I worked in all aspects of aged, illness, dementia, high and low care and every day was a challenge that could not be predicted. When you have taken the time to educate yourself about aging and use your skills in the aged care industry, the work is so so rewarding, the more you give, the more you get back. You have to develop a thick skin as well because the aged have got nothing to lose by telling their truth LOL and some of it is worth bottling. It is with these skills you are empowered to assist not only the aged person but their families to enrich their lives with history and precious moments.

Answer 3

Well, I was a nurse in Geriatrics for a number of years. They are truly a blessing to take care of, and you can learn a lot from them. It is one of the best and most rewarding places to work if you have patience.

Many of the aged are abandoned in these places by their families and it is really sad. So those working in this environment become the people these patients depend upon and consider family. But it's like they revert back to childhood, because you have to dress them, feed them, walk them, and spend time with them if you can. Usually, this is difficult because a nurse or nursing aid can have as many as twenty patients to one care giver. This is an overload, especially if all of them need to go to the bathroom at the same time.

They also get very demanding if they think they have your ear. They learn to manipulate certain personnel if they let them.
And it's sad if one passes away. It's like a grandparent or favorite aunt or uncle passing away. You become attached to some.

Answer 4

Spending time with the elderly is a true blessing. They've had so many wonderful life experiences to share. For the most part, they are truly appreciative of any time you can share with them. As they near the end of life they reach out for a hand of kindness and hugs of love. You'll learn so much and grow in such beautiful ways when you spend time caring for them.

Answer 5

I can handle it, but its hard work and not enough care givers to go around. I choose to do home health that way I can have one patient to care for and I give 100% of care and attention.