Carers Uniforms

[danny]

Ah, but Mabel,94yrs of age is living in a time when nurses etc did not wear tunics and trousers


Many people with dementia of a certain age do not know they have dementia, therefore, a nurse in a uniform/carer is therefore telling them they are `ill` and that there is something wrong.

Good debate though

[danny]

Robin,see what you have started

[Bristolbelle]

I'm getting quite distressed with all the clients in Mum's home assuming I'm staff and there to help them, as I can't get quality time with Mum. The odd thing is when they put on thier tabards the cleints seem to recognise them a lot easier. It would also make it easier for me! The other day I took Mum back to visit her old day centre and spent about an hour having an in depth conversation with a client who happily commmented on others their and explained their difficulties. It was only some time later I discovered she was a victim of early onset who was having a good day

[BeckyJan]

a nurse in a uniform/carer is therefore telling them they are `ill` and that there is something wrong.

But a nurse /carer without uniform could by anyone - a stranger, visitor ...... who?...

My husband will take personal care from a nurse or someone in uniform. I walk into a personal care situation frequently - I would be horrified to find girls without uniform dealing with him. There was an occasion when someone walked into fellow's room with red roses and photo frame adorned with hearts, etc. - (his daughter was horrified but thankfully she was there to deal with it and report the incident).

So for me please keep uniforms with varying colours to identify nurses from carers.

[imac.girll1]

I have to go down the road of uniforms, i always have done whether it be school, shop, or where ever, but especially in a care situation.

My mother who is in the care home from hell previously, the 'staff' there i had a terrible time trying to a) work if they were staff or visitors, b) trying to read there name badges swinging about on lanyards, c) my mother struggled to know who was who most of the time and she couldn't see their names either.

So for me uniforms all the way. The staff in the care home now, wear trousers and tunic tops, i suppose a bit like theatre scrubs, but when serving foods etc they wear disposable plastic aprons and when cleaning/seeing to residents they also wear disposable gloves.

They have a large clear name badges and are happy to repeat their names till the 'cows come home' to the residents who no longer can read and have forgotten their names.

The only 2 people that don't wear uniforms is the office/admin lady, but she is in her office most times and always speaks to the residents should they put their heads round the door etc. Also the manager doesn't but again name badges, but she is always out on the front floor sitting on the floor at times with the residents (not that they are on the floor!) but she just gets on with it.

Me I am often asked for help by the residents, and i always say let me get you someone in uniform to help you, with a big smile on my face.

My mother responds well to people in uniform, or in official status but for her now a days it helps to see someone in uniform and she knows who is there to help and look after her.

So for me i am pro uniform. May i also say that i don understand in a very small situation uniform may not be required. Mother lives in a CH of 30 odd residents, uniform there is required.

Great debate though.

[Tony]

Hi all I agree with imac.girll1’s reply when we need help we don’t want to be asking several people before we eventually find the right person I found that the younger person looks at a person with dementia as being some sort of strange person this could be because for many years now we have told our children not to talk to strangers especially an older man with dementia asking a younger female for help or assistance could find
himself in all sorts of problems, which could have been avoided if he could identify her sorry non uniform people if you want to help a person with dementia make it easy for them to identify you

Tony

[robinknight]

Robin,see what you have started

I know, I've just been reading through all of these posts and now i'm not sure what to think! It's a very interesting area, and obviously with some strong views on both sides of the argument.

I must say thank-you to everyone who has replied to this thread so far. It really has been insightful to hear from carers, relatives and those with dementia as well, and it will certainly help me to take a look at this particular issue from all sides.

thanks

Robin

[Sting]

I believe staff uniforms can help promote feelings of security and help people with dementia and visitors identify whom to approach for help, when needed.
Used appropriately , uniforms , especially practical and brightly coloured ones, are appreciated by some service users. Staff also benefit by not having to use their personal clothing as the nature of the work often demands frequent laundering .

[lauren321182]

Ive always wondered this too..as i have heard good and bad on this subject. Where i work i dont wear one as they prefer us to look more 'homely' and 'approachable' to our residents. only thing i miss is having the nurse type uniform to put my watch etc on lol.
other then that it is nice to wear what i like, and often the residents say nice comments about what we have on

[SWMBO1950]

At the stage my mother is at I doubt she would notice or care if someone had a uniform on. It's the caring that matters. She just needs someone who is kind and responds to her needs no uniform can out do that no mater how smart

[Jancis]

Perhaps we should ask the individuals in dementia care homes whether they prefer uniforms or not?

I would imagine that some, (eg. my uncle) would prefer a young carer in a nurse's uniform helping him - so long as she's pretty. Not wishing to be trite here!!! Others of a different disposition will think uniforms reinforce an unwelcome reality that they are in a 'care home' and therefore not in their own home.

That's solved that conundrum then! (not) - sorry for rubbish input.

[ggma]

I do not think everyone will ever agree on this!

As people have said, uniform helps people who can not remember names, or see well identify which of the people around them are staff who can help them, and the hygiene angle is important as well.

I do think it is also important to take on board the views of the people actually receiving the care, people with learning disabilities usually say they do not want to stand out by being seen with people in uniform. However some older people who may get different carers calling at their home find the uniform reassuring that the person is there to help them.

[spiderboymax]

I work in residential home where the policy is casual but smart, I think this is the right approach for both parties, it is, after all, their home and we treat the residents as friends.
Uniforms send the wrong signal in this kind of work, too official and objective. That is my opinion anyhow.

[Saffie]

I come down on the side of uniforms. My husband respond better to someone in uniform and it is far more hygienic. Also, I like them because it helps me to identify who the various people are by the colour of their uniforms so that I know who I am talking to and whom I should be approaching about any given matter. The nurses in the nursing home wear a different uniform than the carers and agency staff are of course dressed in different uniforms again so I know not to bother them with a query as they will not be able to answer.

I have noticed that my husband and the others in the lounge usually focus on the face of the person who is addressing them so what they wear will have no relevance to them. I certainly doubt that my husband will even notice at any time.

Perhaps in a very small care home, a free dress code might be appropriate but I would find it horrendous in my husband's home of 80 residents! Sometimes I might not know whether someone is a carer, nurse, Activity Organizer, administrator or resident!

[TinaT]

Most of the residents in my husband's care home call me 'nurse' and I don't wear the obligatory uniform. I don't think many residents notice whether a uniform is worn or not but ask anyone who is in the vicinity if they need help.

xxTinaT