Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Leonarda works in a nursing home. One thing that is very important to her is ensuring that all of the residents she cares for feel comfortable and safe in their rooms.

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Before she enters Mrs. Youdon’s room, Leonarda knocks on the door and asks permission to come inside because she wants Mrs. Youdon to know that she respects her personal space and privacy. Leonarda sees that Mrs. Youdon has been going through the photographs in a family album. Sometimes she takes her favorite photos out of the album to look at them more closely.

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Leonarda pulls a chair over to the bed, sits down, and asks Mrs. Youdon if she can help to put the photos back in the album. Mrs. Youdon agrees, and Leonarda carefully picks up a photo and asks Mrs. Youdon to tell her about it. Then Leonarda asks where it should go in the album. It takes a little longer to put the photos away when she asks about each one, but Leonarda knows that the pictures and memories are very important to Mrs. Youdon. When they finish, Leonarda places the album in the drawer in Mrs. Youdon’s bedside table, where Mrs. Youdon likes to keep it for easy access.

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After helping with the photo album, Leonarda picks up a few other items that are lying around Mrs. Youdon’s room. She asks if she can hang up a couple of sweaters and put away a book. Mrs. Youdon likes having her room tidy, but she also appreciates feeling like her belongings are being respected and well cared for.

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When everything is organized, Leonarda asks Mrs. Youdon if she is comfortable with the temperature in the room. She also asks if Mrs. Youdon would like the television turned on or off. When everything is just the way that Mrs. Youdon wants it in her room, Leonarda leaves to help some other residents feel more at home.