Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Think about what you do every morning after you wake up. Do you have a routine? How does that routine make you feel? For patients or residents, those routines are especially important. Nursing assistants take care of patients and residents every day. They help their patients with their daily personal care, or hygiene. Routines like washing hair and brushing teeth help to prevent sickness and keep patients feeling clean.

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In the mornings, patients often need help with toileting (going to the bathroom) and washing their bodies before getting dressed. Patients need to brush their teeth, also called mouth care. They need to brush their hair. Nursing assistants will find that every patient requires a different level of care. Some patients can brush their hair, but they need help with mouth care. Nursing assistants should be sensitive to the care that each patient needs and wants.

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After breakfast, some patients need help with mouth care again. Other patients will have a bath. Some patients will get a haircut. They might need help with changing clothes before or after lunch. Patients might ask for more personal care on days they are receiving visitors or when there is a social event. They will also need help with toileting throughout the day.

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Before patients go to bed, they might need help getting changed into pajamas. They will require help with mouth care again, washing their faces and hands, and toileting.

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When patients have good personal hygiene, they feel more attractive and more confident. Nursing assistants help their patients look and feel their best every day!