If we think about, in particular, the situation where patients are not toileted, then it makes us very angry, coupled with outraged, saddened, even guilty.
None of which does anyone much good, of course.
I was thinking just now how one might try to bring home in training to people how dreadful this whole single issue of toileting appears, and is.
I was imagining standing with a suitable member of staff [and we could start with management], and saying... as part of your training now, we want you to put a pad on, and we're going to fill it with some typical contents. Then we're going to sit you down for perhaps 10 minutes, just so you see how those in your care experience life.
I reckon we could all predict the replies...
- degrading
- indecent
- filthy
- unhealthy
- etc
The next sentence I might say would be all too obvious: "that was just ten minutes. So, how do you think those in your care feel, when they are left for very much longer in that state?"
I wonder if training ever includes role play? I wonder how much a part of training is the whole issue of engagement with the person?
I'm just interested.
In the software industry, I've been on sales courses too many to mention. Engagement with a customer, telephone training, understanding their needs, addressing their problems. All are considered critical.
A software sales manager doesn't retain the position for long if their staff don't do their job; neither do the staff.
The problem in the hospital/care home context comes down to money and the right kind of person doing the job. But also supervision.
In care homes, the status of the job is extremely low, and is matched by the remuneration. Hospitals fare better but something has gone badly wrong in many places there too.
Society rates care homes and those with dementia too far down the food chain to enable the sort of care we all wish. Society needs to re-establish what is important.
