As a travel nurse, you already know that many people begin to lose their mental faculties as they age. From mild memory loss to debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline can be devastating not only for the patient, but their loved ones, too. However, as challenging as it can be to cope with dementia and similar conditions, helping patients deal with their symptoms can also be tremendously stressful for even the most experienced travel nurses.
Common challenges
Although it might seem obvious, communication is often the greatest challenge for travel nursing professionals dealing with patients with dementia. Even something as seemingly straightforward as finding out how a patient is feeling can be incredibly stressful. Aside from the inherent difficulties in talking to someone with cognitive impairments, emotions play a large role, too. After all, many patients suffering from dementia also experience feelings of frustration, anger and sadness as they come to terms with their declining mental abilities.
As a result, it's vital that travel nurses approach each situation differently. No two patients are exactly alike, and neither are their mental conditions. Patience is a must, as communicating with patients suffering from dementia can take significantly longer than a routine interaction. Another thing you might want to bear in mind is that open-ended questions can be confusing to some patients, so when dealing with individuals coping with this type of condition, only ask questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."
Family support
If you've ever had to deal with a patient suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you know that taking care of him or her is your top priority. However, oftentimes, the families of patients with these conditions also need support, as they may not know how serious dementia can be or what the long-term implications are.
When discussing their loved one's condition with family members, it is important to be honest but compassionate. Although some forms of dementia can be delayed, it is irreversible. If families know this, they might be better equipped to prepare for what lies ahead.
Similarly, less experienced nurses may also benefit from your skills, so if you're presented with an opportunity to help a colleague improve their bedside manner or handle a patient more effectively during future travel nursing jobs, don't be afraid to share your wisdom. After all, the more people know about caring for patients suffering from cognitive decline, the better the quality of care they will receive.