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When I worked as a nurse manager in a nursing home, one of my responsibilities was to plan quarterly in-services for staff who worked on our memory care unit. I didn’t want these mandatory classes to be tedious events that employees dreaded sitting through at the end of a long shift. Obviously, the presentations needed to be helpful and enjoyable.
Knowing that staff would grow tired of listening to me teach all of these in-services, I occasionally looked for videos to share. But it was tough to find high-quality products back in those days.
Recently I came upon this YouTube video, and I wish I had found it years ago. I think this is a perfect resource to help people understand what it feels like to live in a nursing home.
I hope you’ll take just 20 minutes to watch this amazing video and then consider sharing it with your team of volunteers or staff. In case you’re able to use it for an in-service, I also came up with several discussion questions that I’ll post at the end.
Questions For Discussion (It may be helpful to know that Dick Weinman is a former university professor and holds a doctoral degree.)
- How did you feel as you watched the video? Do you think this is the experience of most residents living in long-term care facilities?
- Dr. Weinman talks about specific needs regarding his water glass and his eyeglasses. Do we do a good job of communicating residents’ individual needs and wishes?
- How can we let residents know that another resident is ill or has died without violating privacy?
- Some residents choose not to leave the building, even with our encouragement. What are some of the reasons? What can we do to help meet their needs?
- How can we do a better job of welcoming new residents to our facility?
- What can we do to help residents stay connected with their former friends and community?
- How can we make the bathing experience more dignified and enjoyable?
- What do we do at our facility that takes away our residents’ right to make choices?
- How can we be less rigid in our schedules to allow residents more freedom?
- Dr. Weinman talks about the meaning he finds in doing volunteer work to give back to society. How can we help our residents give to others?
- What activities would you like to see offered if you lived in a care facility?
I would love to hear your impressions of this video. Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
Want to learn more about the nursing home experience? I know you’ll enjoy this article about students living in nursing homes.
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