The Dangers of Working in Senior Care

Like most other jobs, there are dangers associated with senior care jobs. Before applying for assisted living jobs, it pays to be aware of all of the associated pros and cons - and danger is one of the things that you have to be realistic about. While the dangers that go along with most nursing home jobs aren't excessive, you should be prepared to deal with them. With sufficient preparation and training, you should also be able to avoid them most of the time. Read on below to learn more about the dangers of home care jobs and other jobs the assisted living field.

Needle Sticks - When you're training for an RN job, one thing that is going to be emphasized is needle safety. Most senior care jobs involve the use of needles from time to time. Despite your very best efforts, occasional mishaps can occur. It is imperative to always be conscientious about using needles. Put the best safety practices to work for you so that you don't inadvertently stick yourself and end up in the clinic yourself.

Communicable Diseases - Surprisingly enough, assisted living jobs share one major thing in common with daycare jobs: communicable diseases. Due to the close quarters that people live in at an assisted living facility, it's easy for communicable diseases like H1N1 to spread like wildfire. While frail elderly patients are the most at risk, perfectly healthy individuals are too - especially when they don't protect themselves adequately. Hand washing is the number one way to avoid communicable diseases, so get into the habit right off the bat.

Back Injuries - A lot of heavy lifting is involved with an RN job at a nursing home. After all, you are charged with helping your patients get around. Sometimes, that means that you must hoist them, lift them or provide support to them as they walk. It's not unusual at all, then, for those who work nursing home jobs to end up with back injuries. Make sure to study up on tips and tricks for avoiding back injuries prior to beginning any type of assisted living job.

Combative Patients - When working home care jobs and other senior care jobs, you're bound to come into contact with a fair amount of patients who have dementia. Such patients can be highly unpredictable and combative; all too often, senior care personnel end up in the cross hairs. You should always be as prepared for the unpredictable as possible - and expect the unexpected at all times.

While there are many definite dangers associated with working nursing home jobs, the vast majority of employees find that the benefits far outweigh the risks. By being aware of the dangers, though, you're a lot more likely to have a positive experience in the senior care field.