Promotion of Function and Health of Residents
Nutrition and hydration
The aide prepares the resident, positions them upright (about 90 degrees, or as ordered), checks the tray against the diet card, honors preferences, and encourages independence. Therapeutic diets such as low sodium, diabetic, renal, or thickened liquids are ordered - never give food brought from home without nurse approval. With dysphagia: small bites, chin tuck, slow pace, cue to swallow, check the cheek for pocketing, and stop if the resident coughs or has a wet voice. Keep the resident upright about 30 minutes after eating. Offer fluids often, record intake and output accurately, and report dehydration signs such as dry mouth, dark urine, confusion, and poor skin turgor.
Skin and mobility
Reposition at least every two hours using good body mechanics and a gait belt when transferring; encourage residents to do what they can. Range of motion may be active (the resident moves the joint) or passive (you move it) - never force a joint past resistance, and stop if it hurts. Pressure injury prevention means inspecting skin at every turn, keeping skin clean and dry, offloading heels, and never massaging reddened bony prominences. Report redness that does not blanch; do not stage it, because staging belongs to the nurse or wound clinician.
Bowel, bladder, and rest
Fluids, fiber, and activity help constipation. Report changes in bowel pattern, blood, or inability to void. Promote normal bedtime routines, reduce overnight noise, and cluster nighttime care when it is safe to do so.
Traps and a rule of thumb
Common traps: giving straws to a resident with dysphagia, feeding someone lying flat, or charting a refusal without reporting it. Rule of thumb: upright, unhurried, small bites, chin tucked, then check the cheeks for pocketing.