DEAR ABBY: "She Has a Name in Georgia" complained that the care staff at the assisted-living community where her mother lives calls her "Granny," "Grandma" and "Mamma." She found it disrespectful, and I agree with her.
I am an R.N. with two advanced nursing degrees. Calling a resident "Granny," "Dear" or "Honey" is not loving or caring.
It is degrading, humiliating and hurtful! It does not matter what the ethnicity of the attendant is; there are standards of conduct and patient's rights.
I suggest "She Has a Name" ask the director of the facility for copies of the standards of care and patient's rights documents.
The family may want to install a "nanny cam" in the room if it will provide peace of mind. There are many fine communities where care of the residents is professionally and caringly provided. I hope they can are able to find one for their mother.
- Retired R.N.
and Resident Advocate
DEAR R.N.: Thanks for sharing your expertise on this subject. I didn't realize patient's rights were specified by the documents you mentioned or that how a resident is addressed is covered in them.
