I've been working in the health care field as a certified nurse aide for several years. It is a difficult decision to finally realize your loved one needs a skilled care facility.

The work that we do, bathing, cleaning, feeding, dressing, performed by a predominantly female staff can be very difficult.

There are things family members can do to help us maintain standards with minimal risk to ourselves.

Choose a hairstyle that is low maintenance - wash and wear. Clothes can still be stylish without buttons, zippers, hooks. It helps if it's a little bit loose so it's not such a struggle on and off. Shoes, if necessary anymore, should be slip on, comfortable with Velcro closures. It's difficult to lace or buckle shoes when we are upside down and backwards. Keep in mind that we often have a workload of 15-18 people, most over 150 pounds, some over 250.

If we all work together, are supportive of each other, we can provide an environment that is clean, healthy, comfortable and safe.

Mag Wells

Belleville