What are some things the nursing assistants can do to assure the resident's rights are being met?

According to research, a significant number of elder abuse cases in care facilities go unreported, emphasizing the critical role of frontline staff in resident advocacy. Understanding what are some things the nursing assistants can do to assure the resident's rights are being met is fundamental to creating a safe and respectful environment.

Quick Summary

Nursing assistants can protect resident rights by prioritizing patient privacy, fostering independence through choice, communicating effectively, and promptly reporting any signs of neglect or abuse. Their daily actions directly influence the dignity and well-being of residents.

Key Points

• Respectful Communication: Address residents by their preferred names, make eye contact, and listen actively to show respect for their individuality and dignity.

• Privacy and Modesty: Always knock before entering a resident's room and ensure their body is covered during personal care routines to protect their privacy.

• Promote Independence: Offer choices in daily activities and respect a resident's decisions (when safe) to empower them and foster a sense of autonomy.

• Mandated Reporting: Recognize and report any signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the supervising nurse or authorities, as NAs are legally required to protect residents from harm.

• Confidentiality is Key: Never discuss a resident's personal or medical information with unauthorized individuals, upholding HIPAA regulations and respecting their right to privacy.

• Empathetic Care: Remember that residents are dealing with a loss of independence; approach all care with empathy and compassion, allowing them to do as much as they safely can.

Prioritizing Dignity and Respect

At the core of resident rights is the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Nursing assistants (NAs) are the primary caregivers interacting with residents daily and are, therefore, crucial to upholding this standard. Treating every resident as an individual with unique preferences, histories, and values is paramount.

Respectful Communication

Effective communication is a powerful tool for honoring a resident's dignity. This includes addressing residents by their preferred name, not using condescending terms like "honey" or "sweetie," and avoiding belittling or childish language. NAs should make eye contact, speak clearly and calmly, and take the time to listen to residents' concerns without interruption. Even with cognitively impaired residents, maintaining respectful communication is vital, as they can often still perceive tone and attitude.

Promoting a Respectful Environment

Beyond direct communication, NAs can cultivate a respectful environment by:

• Speaking about residents with respect, even when they are not present, and protecting their privacy by not discussing their personal information in public areas.
• Knocking before entering a resident's room, even if the door is open, to acknowledge their personal space.
• Making sure residents are appropriately covered and their dignity is preserved during bathing, toileting, and transport.
• Allowing residents to choose and wear their own clothing, reflecting their personal style and preference.

Safeguarding Privacy and Confidentiality

Protecting a resident's privacy is a key responsibility for nursing assistants. This involves more than just physical privacy; it also includes safeguarding personal and medical information.

Upholding Confidentiality

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates strict rules regarding the protection of a patient's health information. Nursing assistants must understand and adhere to these guidelines. Sharing personal details about a resident with unauthorized individuals, even other staff not involved in direct care, is a violation of this right.

Creating a Private Care Setting

When providing personal care, NAs must take concrete steps to ensure privacy. This includes:

1. Closing the door and pulling privacy curtains fully before beginning a procedure.
2. Using appropriate draping and blankets to keep the resident covered during baths or other personal care routines.
3. Ensuring that sensitive items like urinary catheter bags are kept out of public view.
4. Having private conversations about the resident's care and condition in a confidential setting, not in a shared hallway or common area.

Fostering Autonomy and Independence

For many residents, entering a long-term care facility can feel like a loss of control. NAs can help combat this by empowering residents to make their own decisions whenever possible, thereby promoting their independence and self-esteem.

Offering Choices and Respecting Decisions

Empowering residents means offering meaningful choices throughout the day. This could include options about when to bathe, what to wear, or which activities to participate in. Even seemingly small decisions can have a significant impact on a resident's sense of control. The NA must respect these decisions, even if they would have made a different choice, as long as the resident is safe.

Balancing Safety and Independence

Striking a balance between safety and independence is a critical skill for nursing assistants. For example, a resident with a cognitive impairment may still want to exercise control over their day. Instead of denying a request outright due to a safety concern, an NA can offer a safe alternative. An example is offering an electric candle instead of a real one to prevent fire hazards. Encouraging residents to perform as much self-care as they safely can is also an important way to promote independence and maintain their physical and cognitive function.

Advocating and Reporting

Nursing assistants are often the first to notice changes in a resident's physical or mental condition, or to witness potential rights violations. Their role as an advocate is indispensable.

The NA's Role as a Mandated Reporter

In most jurisdictions, NAs are considered mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report any observed or suspected instances of abuse or neglect. This includes physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse, as well as financial exploitation. Knowing the proper reporting procedures and acting on concerns immediately is a crucial part of protecting residents.

Comparison of Advocacy Scenarios

Scenario	Inappropriate NA Action	Appropriate NA Action (Advocacy)
A resident is anxious about a procedure.	Proceed with the task quickly to get it over with.	Pause, explain the procedure slowly, and answer their questions to build trust.
A colleague makes a disrespectful remark about a resident.	Ignore the comment or laugh along.	Intervene politely or report the behavior to a supervisor later, following facility policy.
A resident wants to manage their own medication.	Tell them they can't and take the medication away.	Listen to their request and communicate it to the supervising nurse to discuss if it's safe.
The facility is rushing all residents for meals at the same time.	Force the resident to comply with the rushed schedule.	Express the resident's preference for a more flexible schedule to the charge nurse or care coordinator.

Conclusion

Nursing assistants are more than just providers of physical care; they are advocates for the well-being and fundamental rights of every resident. By prioritizing dignity, safeguarding privacy, fostering autonomy, and actively reporting concerns, NAs play a pivotal role in assuring that residents' rights are not just acknowledged but deeply respected. Their attentive, empathetic, and professional conduct forms the bedrock of a high-quality, person-centered care environment. Ensuring these practices are consistently applied is a collective responsibility that starts with the NA's daily interactions and ethical conduct. For more resources and information on resident rights and ethical responsibilities, visit the WisTech Open Nursing Assistant resource page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important thing a nursing assistant can do for resident rights?

The most important thing a nursing assistant can do is to consistently treat every resident with respect and dignity, recognizing their individuality and ensuring their preferences are honored whenever possible. This foundational approach underpins all other rights.

How can nursing assistants protect a resident's right to privacy?

NAs can protect a resident's right to privacy by knocking before entering their room, ensuring privacy curtains are closed during care, and not discussing the resident's private health information in public spaces where others can overhear.

What should a nursing assistant do if a resident refuses care?

If a resident refuses care, the nursing assistant should respect their decision after ensuring they are of sound mind. It is important to try again later, offer alternatives, and inform the supervising nurse to document the refusal and determine the next steps, always prioritizing the resident's autonomy.

How can an NA support a resident's independence?

An NA can support a resident's independence by offering choices in daily routines, such as clothing or mealtimes. Encouraging residents to perform tasks they can safely manage themselves, while providing appropriate supervision, also fosters their sense of control and independence.

What are some things the nursing assistants can do to prevent abuse?

To prevent abuse, nursing assistants should maintain a professional and empathetic attitude, be vigilant for signs of abuse from others, and promptly report any suspected misconduct. Education on ethical standards and resident rights is also crucial.

What is HIPAA and why is it important for nursing assistants?

HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects a patient's personal health information. It is important for nursing assistants because they are entrusted with confidential information and must not share it with unauthorized individuals, upholding the resident's right to confidentiality.

How can a nursing assistant help a resident with a grievance?

A nursing assistant can assist a resident with a grievance by listening to their complaint and reporting it to the appropriate supervisor or administrator, as residents have the right to voice concerns without fear of retaliation.