National Nursing Assistants Week - June 10-17, 2010

Did you know that according to the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants more than 2.5 million caregivers provide daily hands-on care to our nation’s elderly, frail, or chronically challenged in long term care settings? As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more and more want to remain in their homes and enjoy an independent and active lifestyle. The AARP claims that nearly 7 out of 10 older Americans own their own residences and most have no plans of moving. However, many often have fewer resources available to help them with the daily tasks of living.

Nursing assistants, which we celebrate this week, are on the frontline of in-home care and provide the predictability and stability needed for people to stay in the comfort of their homes longer. According to Dawn Thompson, director of healthcare services for Interim HealthCare Spokane, nursing assistants provide hands-on care and perform routine tasks related to a patient’s care. They often help patients to eat, dress, bathe, get out of bed and walk. Nurse assistants also answer calls for help, deliver messages, serve meals and provide light housekeeping. Assistants are sometimes responsible for taking a patient’s temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate or blood pressure. Assistants also keen observers of a patient’s physical, mental and emotional condition and report any changes to the appropriate medical provider.

By remaining in their own homes, seniors can retain an important sense of independence. It’s also easier for older adults to remain in familiar surroundings because relocation can often lead to depression, disorientation and confusion. Remaining safe and independent can bolster a senior’s overall sense of well-being and staying in one’s home can often be far more preferable and less costly than a facility. To learn more about Interim HealthCare’s home care and medical staffing services near you, please click here.

With the projected increases in the number of people 65 and over in the United States, the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants estimates that an additional 700,000 new positions will have to be filled over the next 25 years. As America's largest provider of healthcare staffing and home healthcare services, chances are Interim HealthCare has the right assignment - as well as the resources and opportunities to help you grow and thrive. Click here for more information about how to join the Interim HealthCare team.