Suggested answers are in italics.
‘…but this slight impediment did nothing to interfere with or lessen the affection she and Ray felt for each other.’
50. If Mrs Jenkins had been aware of the developing relationship between Ray and Maureen, what might have been her feelings about it?
• Approving
• Disapproving.
• Surprised
• Condemning
• Supportive
• Delighted
• Awkward
• Shocked
51. How do you feel about it?
• Your own answer.
My opinion? They’re old enough to make their own decisions! Remember that loneliness in old age can, for some people, be very hard to cope with.
‘We have our harvest festival service next Sunday evening… There was no doubt about it, Veronica’s visits did the residents much good… The postman had arrived as usual, just before lunchtime.’
52. How are your residents going to keep in touch with their family, the local community and with the world at large?
• By having access to newspapers, magazines, internet, television and radio.
• By letters and cards to and from family and friends. Staff may have to help with the writing of these, and provide stamps.
• By going out, with a member of staff if needed, on trips to the bookmaker, hairdresser, shops, pub, optician, pantomime.
• By having the community come to them. Hairdresser, vicar, school children, mobile library, dentist.
• By a resident’s family paying to have a phone put into their room or by buying them a mobile phone.
‘Bleeding fingernails!’
53. Be honest • what aspects of caring for old people are (or would be) your least favourite?
• Your own answer.
I have a mega problem with green coloured sputum! Ugh!
‘Enid was in her room, opening her cards with a little help from Jade.’
54. What makes this a happy little scene?
• Enid is receiving uninterrupted personal attention from a carer.
• Jade is allowing Enid to open her own cards, rather than do it for her.
• Enid is given time to read and respond to each card.
• Jade gives help as and when it’s needed.
• Jade reminds Enid that her birthday is going to be celebrated with other residents later in the day, with a cake that has candles and the singing of
‘happy birthday’.
‘…and at eleven on the chosen day thirteen residents and five staff set out for the farm-sort-of-place.’
55. What benefits might Trish, the nurse in charge, Dave, a confused man, and Edna, who is not confused, get from this outing?
• Trish -
• A variation from the routine of the home.
• A chance to enjoy a day out.
• A opportunity to see the residents in a different context, to see them as real people and not only as residents.
• Dave/Edna -
• A chance to vary a monotonous routine.
• An opportunity to experience something different.
• An opportunity to recall past experiences. They might have had pets in the past.
• For Dave, an experience that might help him to live in the real world.
56. When you’re planning a day out for your residents, what factors do you have to keep in mind?
• The residents’ wishes.
• Obtaining the permission of the residents’ families, if this is thought necessary.
• The weather forecast.
• Meals, medications, changes of clothes.
• That the transport is suitable for wheelchair users.
• Sufficient staff to cope with everything.
• Spending money for the residents and staff.
• Check insurance cover for the staff.
• Take first aid items and a mobile phone.
• Check that the destination is suitable for your residents. Does it have wheelchair access, ramps instead of steps, shelter if it rains, toilets for the disabled, and so on.