Julia Plunkett

 

Activities

During my internship at Casa di Riposo San Michele I studied the nurses and nurse aids.  I learned how they care for their residents and I challenged myself to a research project which I presented to some of the workers.  Some activities that I helped with was helping patients out of their chairs and walking with them for a few minutes, changed their bedding, cleaned their rooms, and I helped feed the residents who have trouble feeding themselves. 

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Positions

The first few weeks I worked with the head nurse.  She handed out medicines to the individuals during the morning and during lunch,  Then, I started working with the second nurse and the nurse aids.  I helped them clean the residents' rooms and hold residents in bed when they were being washed or changed.  

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The Director

Before any project, I would propose it to the Director who would then decide to accept or decline it.  He would help me with any questions I had about the nursing home and its residents while still respecting their privacy.

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The Volunteers

There were nuns from the Congo working there.  They would help with cleaning the main living areas and serving the meals.

Other people who would help during meal times were the community volunteers.  This consisted of family members and other kind people that would come in during lunchtime to help serve and feed the residents.  

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My Research Project

Halfway through my internship, I decided to incorporate a research project to make sure I got the most out of my time there. 

I researched pressure ulcers, dementia, and depression.  I described the causes, treatments, and prevention of each issue.  I also researched the data of the populations of Casa San Michele, Italy, the European Union, and the United States.  At the end of the internship, I presented this research to the nurses and to the director.

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Leading Volunteers

At the beginning of my internship, I led another student for a volunteer activity at Casa San Michele.  We took a checkers board and a tic-tac-toe board but nobody seemed interested.  This wasn't a complete waste of time because I learned that I need to let the residents know ahead of time, and also have games available that they are familiar with,

I organized and led volunteers to Casa San Michele for a tombola event.  This included students from Sant'Anna Institute as well as children and families from a nearby youth organization.  For this event, I went with another intern to an after school program where she was working.  There, I had the children make Christmas cards to be able to give to the residents.  Sant'Anna students also made some cards to be given out at the home.