One day at work

The first thing I do is to sign the fire log with the time when I come in. It is important to sign in because in case a fire starts my colleagues will know that I am in the building.
I am participating at the handover, is important to join the handover in the morning because I need to be informed if are any issues with the residents I am going to work with.
I am going to check the allocation with the team leader, it is important to find out if I have to escort a resident to hospital or I am working on the floor and which residents I am allocated to. I check the residents if they are alright and after I start the breakfast.
Every day I do the menu for the next day, I ask for their opinion, I read for them what is on the menu for the next day.
After I finish breakfast, I start personal care, I respect every resident needs, sometimes they refuse the personal care in the morning, they prefer to have a shower in the evening. Before giving personal care I explain to them what I will be doing. I explain each step along the way, especially if it is their first time with me. Respecting their privacy and dignity will help make it a soothing and comfortable experience for them. Personal care is an opportune time to observe the condition of their body for any redness, tenderness or painful areas. An important thing is to have everything I need within easy reach before giving personal care. I adjust the room temperature so it is warm and comfortable; I close the door and draw the curtains for privacy. I use protective equipment as gloves and apron. I use the gloves to reduce the number of micro-organisms getting on the skin during certain situations where there may be high numbers present, e.g. incontinence, wound discharge, and blood spills. Aprons: to protect uniform from becoming soiled with body fluids ;to reduce the number of micro-organisms getting on to uniforms, particularly from the waist to knees area, when giving care ; to reduce chance of transfer of micro-organisms to other patients and to carers’ hands from contact with the uniform.
Preparing for moving and handling: I wash my hands and ensure I am wearing suitable clothing and footwear; I check the care plan and assess risks to the individual and to myself before starting any move; if the risk assessment states that more than one member of staff is required to perform the procedure, ensure that one or more colleagues are available to assist me. Remove potential hazards and prepare the immediate environment. I ask the individual about the best way of moving, or assisting, him or her. I explain the procedure at each stage, even where it may not be obvious that you are understood. Explain how the equipment operates; check that I have the agreement of the person I am moving. I stop immediately if the individual does not wish me to continue. I make sure I wash my hands before and after moving individuals.
When I give a bath or a shower I make sure that the room is warm before the person undresses older people are more sensitive to heat and cold than younger people. Check that the floor is not slippery. Think about using non-slip mats if necessary. Make sure that any blinds or curtains are closed and that no one else is likely to walk into the bathroom. Ensure I will not be disturbed or distracted and will not have to leave the person alone. Check that the water temperature is not too hot or too cold. You can buy a heat sensor that sticks to the side of the bath and changes colour if the bath water is too hot, which can prevent scalding.
When I finish personal care is almost lunch time, I make sure that they are comfortable, if they have water in their rooms and very important if they have the call bell on in case something happened when is anyone around they can call for help.
Because everyone has different needs I have to use different ways to transfer or assist them to their wheelchairs; I use different types of hoist and slings, is important to know this information for everyone’s safety. Two very important things are that I have to maintain privacy and dignity at all times and to obtain verbal consent from client before commencing the procedure.
After every task I end I have to write in their files, is very important to record everything I do because this is a way to prove that I care about them and I do my work properly and I can fallow the evolution of their health as well. Another very important thing is to wash my hands often doesn’t matter if I wear gloves; this has an important role in spreading infection.
I let the resident know that it is time for lunch; I take those who cannot get themselves. I served them lunch and I assist those who cannot eat by themselves.
Everyone has different needs, some of them have problems to swallow and they are at risk of choke. I make sure I mix their drinks with the thickener because makes it safer for them to swallow.
After everyone had lunch I ask them what they would like to do the rest of the evening and if they need toileting some of them have catheter, so I make sure I emptied it often, it is important to check it often because if it gets full is dangerous for the patient , can affect their health. I check their pads as well, they need to be changed and refreshed, this is very important for the health of their skin, and if we do not change their pads often the fesses can easily damage the skin.
If they want to go to bed before supper I respect their wish and I assist or transfer them to bed.
At the middle of the day I have ‘take ten’, it is a short meeting where we discuss about different issues, residents, staff, and maintenance, clinical. It is important because we all have to be informed if are any changes, to be aware if something is broken and if all the resident are fine.
At this time is tea time so I go to the kitchen and I ask for the cakes and biscuits, I ask all the residents if they want tea or coffee and a cake or a biscuit. I make sure I do not serve the drinks with sugar or the cakes which contain sugar to those who are diabetics.
When I finish serving drinks and snacks it is almost supper time. I let everyone know that is time for supper, I make sure all of them are ready to have supper, some of them can be in bed already so I make sure they sit in a comfortable position to have supper or to be assisted with.
Another important thing is to clean as you go; every time I make sure I take the plates and cups from the rooms. After I finish serving or assisted residents with feeding I tidy up the dining room and again I have to ask them what they prefer to do the rest of the day.
If they want to go outside to smoke but they cannot go alone I have to take them outside but I need to make sure I take them back after a few minutes or at their request. It is important to do that because they can get cold if is cold weather or they can get angry and start shouting disturbing others.
Most of them after supper prefer to go to bed. At their request I assist or transfer them to bed. I make sure they are comfortable and if they have the call bell near them. Before I leave the room I ask them if they need something else and if they are in a comfortable position.
I have to update my files because it is important to write all their activities and what I have done for them all day.
Before I finish my shift I go to check them one more time if everything is fine.
As I start in the morning signing in I have to sign out as well.