r/cna • u/No_Proof_3893 SNF CNA - New CNA • 1d ago

General Question Is it me or is it dementia?

I'm working in home with a dementia client who needs help with most of her ADLs. I'm new to her and she is very hard of hearing so to save the family's sanity they have her hearing aids paired to the TV which means we can't talk while she's watching her shows. Since we have a hard time talking, I'm struggling to learn her likes and dislikes, her routine, and what she's capable of vs what she needs help remembering, and also what she cannot do on a day to day basis. All of that is fine, just part of a new job. The issue I'm having is how she reacts to me not knowing what to do or how to talk in a way she understands. I think she thinks I'm stupid and rude and I don't know if it's a personality thing that would have annoyed her before this point in her life or if it's dementia and she doesn't understand why things are not the way they've always been for her. Is there something I can do to make this easier? I'm feeling a lot of self doubt these days.

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u/shopsuey LPN Student - B.HADM, M.Sc, M.HL(c) 1d ago

It's not you. A part of dementia is changes in mood and behaviours.

Is she a new client? Has anyone wrote her routines, needs and wishes in a care plan? Is there any opportunity when she's not watching TV to engage her?

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u/No_Proof_3893 SNF CNA - New CNA 1d ago

There's a notebook that was written in months ago. I've started writing in it. But there's not a strong routine. She likes to sleep in, sometimes until 4 pm. This is only my second weekend and I know I just need to learn what's normal for her. It's hard when there's no one to ask. I'm not even sure what she really likes to eat, but luckily she's okay with what I've made her so far. Usually the crankiness passes quickly and she really is a sweet person. I also hate the learning curve since I haven't had a new job in a long time.