are nurses aides suppose to light cigarette's for residents in nursing homes?

Question

adminastrator said if they dont futher action will be taken

Answer 1

It is the resident's right to smoke, if smoking is allowed at that particular facility, and assuming that they are their own person or their guardian allows them to. Before a resident is permitted to smoke, a smoking assessment is completed to ensure that they are safe to "handle" a cigarette. If they are at risk the nursing home must provide them with equipment to make it safer. Items such as a smoking vest are commonly used. Residents are not permitted to keep their cigarettes or lighters on their person. All cigarettes are to be light by an employee of the facility and no resident is to be left unattended while smoking. The facility can not force an employee to be exposed to second hand smoke. If the employee refuses to go out with residents while they smoke because of the second hand smoke issue, the facility must find someone else to go. These are the rules I enforce at my facility.

Answer 2

You have a few issues here:
1. Your right to a smoke-free work place..check the laws for your state.
2. Because they live there, it is their home..people smoke in their home (not in a hospital) if they choose, so it depends on the rules of the facility and state.
3. It is not healthy..and you are a health care provider, conflict of interest..but look at other issues in health..especially if they are old and likely to die of something else before cancer could ever think about getting to them. It may be one of the few things they can enjoy, quitting is stressful and difficult is it compassionate to mandate that they go cold turkey suddenly? We all will want to maintain as much autonomy (making our own decisions..good or bad) as long as possible and you should be proud of your part in making that possible for those with physical limitations. Loss of independence contributes to depression in the elderly, which can be as debilitating as cancer.

Answer 3

There's probably no law saying they can't smoke. You aren't the owner or boss of the home. Your job is to do what the boss says.

It sure sounds like a fire hazard. I wouldn't want some old, wheezing, half dead, drug groggy, geezer balancing a lit cigarette over his bedding next to me, especially if I couldn't get out of bed and run.

Nursing home work is wretched work. There are always more of those jobs elsewhere. I'd suggest you update your resume and look for a better place.

Answer 4

Yes, they are. Nursing home patients have the right to autonomy and dignity - and if they choose to smoke, but cannot physically light their own cigarette, somebody has to do it for them. And that somebody would be the nurses aide assigned to care for them.

Answer 5

in some cases yes.they don;t like people in nursing homes to have matches nor lighters in their rooms;as it can become a fire hazard,,people are on pain killers and it;s safer to have the aides light the cigarettes..

Answer 6

Being that they are old people and totally set in their ways, if they're determined to smoke, the odds are that's exactly what they are going to do. My guess is it would be safer for all concerned if it is supervised.

Answer 7

Smoking shouldn't be allowed in the medical facility...period.

Answer 8

NO if you don't want to, they can not legally force you to smoke! However, they will find some other way to get rid of you, I'm sure.

Answer 9

no i think that is horrible help them to light up and get cancer why don't they just shoot the residents

Answer 10

i hope not!