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Mom has declined so much in last couple of months in NH. Both mentally and physically. Does not know where she is and can no longer walk. Last night she got out of bed and fell before nurses aides got to her (bed has an alarm) bruised badly but thankfully nothing broken. NH wants to up her anxiety meds again, I told them yes. I want to keep mom safe and comfortable. Wondering if I should be contacting hospice care to help?

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Speak with her physician right away.
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Hospice can help with many things.
They can manage symptoms
but they will not be there 24/7
But things can be done to make it a little more difficult for her to get out of bed.
Have they tried bolsters or wedges to keep her from easily getting up?
I know "restraints" are not permitted but this can be adjusted with a Doctors note. So putting 1 side rail up on the side she would usually get out of bed on is not a restraint but it would slow her down and be a deterrent. 2 full side rails is a "restraint or confinement" and it would require a doctors order.

I happen to love Hospice and I would call and have her evaluated in any case.
The big problem with the increase in medication is she may try doing the same thing but she would be more drugged. If they want to increase the medication just to keep her in bed this a a poor policy and I would say a misuse of medication.
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I would remove your loved one from the nursing home increasing her anziety medication only will drug her . If you want hospice bring them into your home so your loved one can be with her family. My late grandmother was beaten neglected and pretty much starved at the hands of a nursing home we didn't have the diagnosis we needed to get hospice for her.
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Could there be truth in what your mom is saying about bad care?

I would be worried that they are trying to drug her to a point she can't or doesn't care, nor can she complain about bad care.

A huge decline can be an indicator of bad care. The SNF that had my dad was feeding him sugar treats and not giving him his warfarin. He was declining and they were talking long term, he went in for rehab after an illness. Once I found the above out, I moved him and he improved enough to go home.

I think we tend to ignore our seniors complaining about care and it should always be confirmed that it is not imagined.

Best of luck.
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You’re question was about hospice. I would suggest you ask for a care conference that will include staff and her doctor. Medicare has strict guidelines for hospice. This is a good time to express concerns and get a care plan in place. And to see if she can be evaluated for hospice or not.
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What is your mother's diagnosis? Is she capable of properly processing events? Are her expectations reasonable or is she having delusions about her care? I'd explore what the real situation is. If her anxiety is just really causing her distress, without any real cause, I'd discuss options with her doctor. If there are other measures that can be taken, then, I'd do that.

My LO sat next to a resident in the dining room who was too loud. It really bothered her and made her anxious. Moving them apart worked to cut that out. Sometimes, a team meeting with the facility can flush out concerns and specific issues. I'd suggest that so you can get the big picture.
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Mom is upset and having outbursts feels she is not being cared for properly in NH. Reason for upping her anxiety meds.
When I ask her what can be done differently for her she does not know. She has pads around bed along with alarm for the falling issues. I don't know what else to do for her. Thank you all for you're input and concern
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My LO used to get up and fall occasionally. We approached it by doing several things. One was getting a mattress alarm, that alerted the staff that she had gotten up and they could get to her as quickly as possible. Her doctor also prescribed a medication for nighttime that treats sleep disorders, which she had. It helped her rest more soundly throughout the night. I'd discuss potential medication changes with her doctor. Some meds offer an increased risk of falls, while others may not.
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I agree with Poetry. Don't understand how anxiety meds will help her stay in bed. The NH should have pads on the floor. Mom had a concave mattress which made it hard to get out of bed. The hospital bed she is in can be set pretty low so she is closer to the floor.
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Ahmijoy Jul 2018
I wonder if hartwie’s mom isn’t getting out of bed because she’s having nightmares or is upset about something and that’s why they suggested uping the meds.
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When my mother began falling regularly, the nursing home staff moved her room right across from the nurse’s station. That way someone from the staff could see her trying to walk without her walker and get to her before she fell.
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Do you think she declined because of bad care in a facility? But anti anxiety meds will only add to her bad balance more, unless they will keep her in bed constantly, if that what you want?
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