The Value of Pinpoint, Told by a Geriatric Nurse
As a geriatric nurse, I care for some of the most vulnerable patients in the hospital — people living with dementia, delirium, chronic illnesses, mobility limitations, anxiety, fear, and sometimes profound confusion. I love this work. I love their stories, their resilience, and their tenderness.
But geriatric care is not easy.
And it’s not always safe.
Patients who are confused or disoriented can become unpredictable.
Families who are overwhelmed can become frustrated.
A calm room can turn chaotic in seconds, especially when cognition, pain, or fear shifts suddenly.
I spend a lot of time in private rooms, assisting with mobility, helping with toileting, preventing falls, and calming agitation, often alone.
I want to feel safe doing the work I love.
That’s why I want Pinpoint.
What I Need as a Geriatric Nurse: Safety That Fits the Realities of Aging Patients
Geriatric patients need patience, gentleness, and time. But they can also unintentionally put staff at risk:
- A confused patient grabs your wrist
- A delirious patient swings out of fear
- A fall-risk patient becomes combative during a transfer
- A family member becomes upset about long-term prognosis
- A sundowning patient becomes aggressive or panicked
When these moments happen, I can’t leave the patient.
I can’t raise my voice without frightening them.
I can’t pull out my phone or walk away to find help.
I need a safety system that is:
✔ Immediate
A patient can become unsafe faster than anyone realizes.
✔ Discreet
Loud alarms can worsen confusion or agitation.
✔ Room-level precise
Help must arrive exactly where I am, not the hallway, not the general area.
✔ Simple and reliable
No complex steps when I’m holding a patient steady or preventing a fall.
Pinpoint fits naturally into the hands-on, moment-to-moment realities of geriatric care.
Why the Two-Tier Alert System Matters for Geriatric Nursing
Geriatric behavioral changes often happen gradually, until they don’t.
De-escalation Alert
Early Intervention
This is invaluable. When a patient shows early signs of agitation, sundowning, or confusion:
- Repetitive questioning
- Trying to get out of bed
- Pacing
- Increased irritability
- Verbal escalation
- Resistance to care
I can quietly ask for support before the moment becomes unsafe.
A second person entering the room can completely change the outcome:
✔ Reduces patient fear
✔ Prevents injuries (for them and for me)
✔ Creates a calming presence
✔ Helps redirect confused behavior
✔ Prevents a crisis before it starts
Panic Alert
Emergency
When a situation becomes truly dangerous, confusion turning into aggression, a fall-in-progress with combative behavior, or a family confrontation, I need help immediately.
No shouting.
No leaving the patient.
No delays.
Pinpoint brings help straight to my room.
Why Privacy Matters for Geriatric Nurses
I move constantly across the unit, assisting with mobility, giving bedside care, helping confused patients back to safety.
I don’t want a system that tracks my movement all shift long.
That’s not safety, that’s surveillance.
I want a system where:
✔ My location is shared only when I ask for help
✔ I’m not monitored throughout the day
✔ My professionalism is trusted
✔ Technology supports rather than observes me
Pinpoint gives staff protection without invading their privacy.
What Pinpoint Would Mean for Me as a Geriatric Nurse
Pinpoint isn’t just a safety tool, it’s reassurance in a field where emotional and physical challenges are constant.
It would mean:
- I’m never alone with an unpredictable patient
- Help arrives exactly where it’s needed
- Early support reduces injuries and fear
- Families feel safer too
- I can focus on compassionate care, not personal risk
- My stress goes down and my confidence goes up
- The work I love becomes more sustainable
Most importantly, it sends a message that matters deeply in geriatric care:
“We see the risks you face.
We honor the work you do.
And we’re committed to protecting you while you protect our elders.”
That support allows me to show up every day with patience, compassion, and confidence.