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'Sit-in' gives volunteers a way to understand a little better |
| Channels » Home » News » 'Sit-in' gives volunteers a way to understand a little better |
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December 4, 2003 |
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This article was reprinted with permission from the Dec. 4, 2003, edition of The Mount Airy (N.C.) News.
How long can you sit still without moving anything except your head?
Several volunteers will try to find out during two “sit-ins” starting at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday in Surry Community Nurng Center, 542 Allred Mill Road.
The center is one of 20 Beverly Healthcare facilities that are working closely with other corporations and with state agencies in a Corporate Nursing Home Improvement Collaborative on Pain Management.
Beverly Healthcare, which own 475 facilities nationwide, is one of seven long-term care corporations who will participate in the pain-management study.
Julie Braswell, director of nursing services, said the sit-ins are intended “to increase awareness that some of the residents depend on staff for everything.”
During the sit-in, 11 volunteers will try to sit almost motionless for as long as possible.
They can only move their heads. They cannot feed themselves or drink without assistance -- several staff members have volunteered to feed the sit-in participants -- or even go to the bathroom, Braswell said. The sit-in is intended to help staff recognize the importance of repositioning residents who are unable to assist themselves.
“We want our staff to be genuinely concerned with the range of motion of some residents. Of course, they do an excellent job now, but this will increase their awareness,” Braswell said.
In the collaborative study, data will be collected and combined with other facilities' data with a goal of improving pain management in U.S. nursing homes.
Surry Community Nursing Center has had poster contests to promote the center’s participation in the program.
On October 24, staff and residents kicked off the project by dressing in train conductor caps (donated by Dry Bridge Station on Main Street), bandanas and overalls. The staff formed a human train and marched throughout the facility to show how staff, residents and families all are connected to work on pain management.
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