Mom is 80. She has dementia. She is somewhere between stage 6 and 7. She uses a walker to keep from falling. I requested 3-4 showers a week because sitting in a urine soaked diaper can cause UTIs and she has a belly fold that will get the fungus rash if not washed several times a week. We have an aide assist her with a shower 5 days a week to ward both off and she has not had a UTI or rash since last October. She came home after a 16 day stay in respite where they assured me my requests were noted on her chart. She had the absolute worst fungus I’ve ever seen. Deep purple, from side to side. Dripping in slime. About 6-8 inches in vertical length. This tells me she most likely got no showers. She looked and smelled dirty. She’s been there several times before and for longer stays and this didn’t happen. I took her to the ER because the fungus rash was very painful and had spread to her outer labia. Should I have to pay for this full respite visit?
To ensure great care (even in the hospital), you have to be there all the time.
She is leaving that place — I’m sure that some aren’t that lucky.
My mom's two respite stays left me furious, but in hindsight I realized a lot of that was due to my ignorance. Respite stays are difficult because neither side knows what to expect, even those moving into a facility permanently often have a rocky few weeks while staff get to know them and their needs. And we as family members don't know exactly what is available or who to ask to get what we need. In my opinion her skin care should have been a nursing not a bathing requirement, and daily care of her skin folds should have been listed and detailed on her medical chart.
I agree with Willie, this should have been something the Nurse took note of. I would say something.
going to happen. If that was the case, they could have washed her down and
dried her with a wash cloth to ensure she didn't get the rash. I wish I could show you pictures! You would be shocked!
My guess would be that your mother declined help with washing and showering, and it wasn't taken further. I expect that is what the facility will say. In the light of the agreed care plan, written down in advance, though, that's not good enough. Regardless of withholding all or part of the fee, and/or claiming compensation, this is certainly grounds for a formal complaint.