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40 years of care: This is how everything has changed in Hanau!
Anja Schmalz-Trupp looks back on 40 years of nursing in the Main-Kinzig district and describes changes in the professional field.
40 years of care: This is how everything has changed in Hanau!
The nursing profession is subject to constant change, which brings with it both challenges and opportunities, as Anja Schmalz-Trupp, an experienced geriatric nurse from Hanau, impressively illustrates. She has been working in nursing since 1984 and has experienced numerous changes over the course of her 40-year career at the Hanau Martin Luther Foundation.
At the age of 17, Anja Schmalz-Trupp began her training as a geriatric nurse, at a time when there was no training allowance. This actual injustice made it difficult for many people to start training. On her first day of training, she struggled with the task of cleaning up a resident's urine, but was encouraged by positive feedback from the resident.
Changes in care
In the past, the standard in care was simply “fed and clean,” and there was little community among the residents. Today, Schmalz-Trupp specializes in caring for people with dementia and is actively committed to providing a safe environment for them. She has developed concepts to better care for people with dementia, for example by using colorful clothing instead of the traditional white coats.
In the “Auf der Aue” residential complex, she appreciates the small living areas, in which only nine residents live. The changes in care also affect documentation and the use of technology; from thick file folders to digital devices such as computers and smartphones. Schmalz-Trupp notes that residents today are more self-confident and speak more openly about topics such as dying and death than before.
Challenges in the nursing profession
Modern care requires holistic care that takes body, mind and social aspects into account. Technological developments in healthcare require nurses to be willing to adapt to new ways of working and tools. These include digital patient files and robot-assisted care aids. These technological innovations require nurses to continually educate themselves and be open to new tools.
The challenge remains to attract and retain qualified personnel. A shortage of skilled workers can increase workloads and jeopardize the quality of care. It is essential to create attractive working conditions in order to retain nursing staff in the long term and attract new skilled workers. However, the increasing demand for care also presents opportunities, with new jobs and career paths emerging in areas such as gerontology, palliative care and psychiatric care.
Continuous training and further education opportunities are crucial for the professional development of nursing staff in order to be able to meet the diverse requirements and challenges of the nursing profession.
– Submitted by West-East media