ABRN-Summer14

Can decreasing antipsychotic use lead
to growth in mental and emotional health?
By Verdeen Bueckert, MCL, BScN
While working in an acute medical inpatient unit, I met three women who changed
my perspective on seniors care.
L was a high functioning executive
until Lewy body dementia eroded
her cognition. It took 40 minutes and
four nurses to restrain her and provide
personal care, which distressed her
for the rest of the day. But there was
one health-care aide who used gentle
strategy to avoid force and resistance.
I wondered… how often is there
a better way?
S loved to sing and dance, until
dementia stripped her of her sense
of fashion and dignity. One day, as
she struggled down the hall between
two security guards, I opened a door,
turned around and found her in my
arms. She decided I was her sister,
and I tried to live up to that. We went
for short walks on my breaks, and I often
stopped to say hello and give her a hug.
I wondered… what difference could
it make if we all took simple steps to
develop trust and caring relationships?
J had always been physically active, and
loved to walk her little dog. Naturally, she
continued to walk constantly, sometimes,
off the unit. She resented the implication
that she was lost or wandering. “I was
walking! ” she emphasized. I noticed…
there’s a dignified adult who deserves
respect. One day at shift change, we had
coffee together in my office. It was such
a normal moment: two people enjoying
a break. I wondered… how often could
a simple intervention prevent agitation
caused by overstimulation, boredom
or loneliness?
12
Alberta RN Summer 2014 Volume 70 No 2
www.nurses.ab.ca