Touchy patients

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fishyfish

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I was wondering what you guys would do in this situations. Elderly patient with a lower leg fracture. Pt suffers from dementia. The pt. in my care kept grabbing for my hands as if to hold them. Once vitals were established. I left my right hand to her to hold as she was not letting go if it and do to the injury what ever comforted her I was ok with. But I was startled when the PT. Began kissing the top of my hand and patting it with her other as if to say thank you. The pt made many attempts to touch my face and did so when I had to bend down to reassess BP I had little choice in the matter and went about my work and finished the run. So my question is Did i do the correct thing with my PT. allowing her to touch me or was I wrong?:)
 
Case by case. I had a pt with dementia once who'd do that then grab your hair or try to punch you (Sometimes succeeded).
 
Holding hands, yes.

I would however not permit a patient to kiss my hand, or touch my face.
 
If the Pt wants to kiss my gloved hand, I mean, go for it. Not getting anywhere near my face though.
 
Grimes said:
If the Pt wants to kiss my gloved hand, I mean, go for it. Not getting anywhere near my face though.
Click to expand...

Yes kissed gloved hand, or I WOULD NOT:excl: permit it. As far as the face. I was trying to focus on getting the BP which is why I was at the side. One more run I learned from ^_^
 
Sounds like one of those calls where you had an unusual situation, you didn't overthink it, you followed your instincts, and everything turned out ok. That shouldn't happen more than, say, 30% of the time :-)
 
You sir, are a true patient care advocate! In the nest interest of the patient, right?!?
 
Dementia patients are honestly one of my areas of uncertainty / apprehension.

I have nothing but respect for elderly people and want to care for them as kindly and professionally as I possibly can. I would expect with this situation (for me) it would depend on a dozen environmental variables that I can't even think of presently, but if it calms the patient and doesn't compromise you (the provider OR the patient) legally or personally / physically, sure. That's just me though.
 
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