I recently started a job as a Care Manager at an Assisted Living
Facility. This is my first experience in the field and I am very
anxious, nervous, and overwelmed. The first 3 nights I worked were
fine. The other person working with me stuck with me, explained
everything, went on most of the calls with me, and was really
available to answer my questions. She was a wonderful trainer. Well,
last night she was off, and I was told I would be working in the
Alzheimers unit --- ALONE. During my CNA class we had about 5 hours
exposure to people with Alzheimers, and we didn't really do anything
with them besides help feed them and change their depends. When I
was hired I was told that the first night I worked in Alzheimers I
would NOT be left alone. But here I was basically DUMPED. I
received NO training. I called the "lead" and asked her if she could
assist me with the toileting because I was not sure what to do, how
to wake up the residents, what kind of behavior to expect..and
basically What to expect in general. She said she would, and after
about 2 hours hours passed, and she still hadn't done this, I called
her again, and she got all nasty. Finally she shows up with another
care manager, and was really impatient, and told me its all "trial
and error" and I just would have to figure it out.
Am I wrong to expect/need training in this area? If she could have
just gone ONE time with me to toilet the residents, I think I would
have been fine and could do the rest of the toileting rounds by
myself, but for some reason she seemed to think I was being
ridiculous. I dont know...am I wrong??