"Observations and queries"

My husband has been in the care of North Ayrshire Care at home Service for almost 18 months now and I cannot praise the carers enough. They have become true friends and often go the extra mile to help us out.

I have observed them in their duties and over time have seen different ways of approach.  I would be interested to know if some of my observations are addressed in the training plan.

1/ Uniform. Some carers, not the regular shift ones, do not take of their coat or fleece when attending. Some wear a plastic apron over their tunic, others don’t wear a plastic apron and therefore wear the same uniform going from one house to the next. I don’t consider this good, hygienic practice. What are they taught at training?

2/ Bedbathing.  It is important that specific care should be given to washing and drying the eyes and the inside and back of ears. Corners of the mouth, again washing and drying carefully. Between the fingers and toes. It is too easy to pass the facecloth over the body and forget the detailed attention needed.

3/ when carrying out Personal Care some carers use warm water to clean private parts, others use cold wipes only. I know what I would want and would like for my husband. Again, our regular carers always wash.

4/ Dementia training. I am informed that no training is given on Dementia.

My husband’s carers do a great job and have learned all they know on the job over the last year. They cope with his moods, aggression both physical and verbally. There have been carers who refused to work when verbally abused and walked out. They don’t come to be treated like that they say. Our carers have learned that to stay back and not to argue with the patient calms him down. Minimum, calm, quiet speech seems to work best.

Finally, not to forget those people in the background who make up the rota and deal so admirably with emergency cover whilst so short of staff. They have a difficult job and I am thankful to you all.