- [Instructor] This brief learning module,
Supporting Nursing Home Residents' Emotional Health,
offers suggestions to help you support
your residents' emotional needs.
Studies have found that many nursing home residents
had depression or other mental health issues develop
or worsen after the pandemic began.
A lack of social time with other residents
and limited in-person visits
with family members and loved ones
left many residents feeling lonely and isolated.
Some residents had friends
and loved ones get sick or die from COVID-19.
Funerals were not always held
due to social distancing concerns,
which left some residents with lingering sadness.
Even as restrictions ease and visitations increase,
the after effects of isolation are still very real.
Some residents may have different motivation
or ability to comprehend what is happening and why.
Understanding residents' needs
can help you provide emotional support
so that they can better cope with losses and change.
The first step in helping residents
is to recognize the signs of depression.
This is especially important for persons with dementia.
They may not be able to talk about why they feel sad.
These signs could be a signal
that a resident needs emotional support,
especially if these changes are new
or are happening more often.
Trouble sleeping or having nightmares,
decreased energy or fatigue, trouble concentrating,
negative attitude, tearfulness, withdrawal,
increased irritation and agitation, increased chronic pain,
a change in appetite, weight loss,
or less able to control their bladder.
If you notice any of these signs in your residents,
report it to your supervisor.
It is important to know your facility's policy
for how to handle residents' behavioral health.
A full evaluation may need to be completed,
but the first step is recognizing and reporting a concern.
As we all learned more about COVID-19,
we gained more tools to prevent and treat it.
This can help us all find a new normal,
but the process may be harder for some people than others.
Some residents may have lingering anxiety
and fear about social interaction.
They may have become so used to distancing
from other people for so long,
it might not be easy for them
to restart pre-pandemic activities.
We are out of practice with socializing.
Education and practice are the keys
to helping residents with this type of anxiety feel better.
Encourage them to attend social activities
as guidance allows
and offer a gentle touch when physically assisting residents
to participate in group settings.
Start small and go slow for those anxious
about being with others.
If a resident is fearful of spreading germs or getting sick,
explain the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine
and how booster shots can help us all stay up to date
with protection from the virus.
In a calm and reassuring voice,
talk to residents about what your nursing home has done
to keep them well.
Explain when masking and social distancing
are used to limit the spread of germs,
and share any cleaning and disinfecting practices
that staff do to prevent infection.
This can be reassuring,
especially for new residents and families.
Tell them what happens when any resident
is diagnosed with COVID-19,
as well as when a resident might be tested for the virus.
If a resident has trouble moving on from changes or losses,
find ways to help them deal with the grief
and talk about their feelings
so that you are better able to support them.
Talk to family members or loved ones when they visit
and discover what might support the resident.
It might help for visitors to reminisce with the resident
about loved ones they miss.
Suggest that they include photos, music,
or stories during visits.
Special foods can be a treat, if appropriate.
For residents without family,
arrange for a friend or the chaplain
or another resource staff person to visit.
Whenever it is safe to do so,
increase social interaction
with other residents, staff, and visitors.
Exercise, even in small amounts,
can also help residents cope with grief and loss.
Now, let's review a few key points.
Think about the best answer
for each of the following questions.
What are some signs of depression
to look for in your residents?
Signs of depression include:
trouble sleeping or having nightmares,
decreased energy or fatigue, trouble concentrating,
negative attitude, tearfulness, withdrawal,
increased irritation and agitation, increased chronic pain,
a change in appetite, weight loss,
and less able to control their bladder.
What are some ways you can support residents
who are hesitant to resume normal activities?
As appropriate, encourage them to attend social activities
at their own pace.
Offer a gentle touch when physically assisting residents
to participate in group settings.
In a calm and reassuring voice,
talk to residents about what your nursing home has done
to keep them well,
including how your facility works
to prevent the spread of infection.
Adjusting to change can be hard,
and some residents will accept changes easier than others.
As caregivers,
it is our job to help all residents adjust at their own pace
and to recognize when some residents
need a little extra care and attention.
With your help,
your residents might find it easier to accept the new normal
and resume their former activities.
You have completed this learning module.
We hope you have learned some ways
to support your residents' emotional needs.
Learn more.
Visit the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality's website
for free tools to help you identify and treat COVID-19.