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My mother is 96 years old and has dementia. She has been in a NH-Rehab because she stopped walking. I've had her personal HHA go there every day to keep her company and to have a familiar face around. Her personal HHA has been bathing, dressing, toileting her, and making her bed. Whenever she asks for help, because she can't handle my mother alone, she is told by the CNA that she's busy and will help her later. Then she never comes. On the rare occasion that the CNA does come to help she is abusive and disrespectful to my mother. She handles her roughly and barks orders at my mother. When she puts my mother on the toilet she drops her instead of lowering her gently. When my mother's HHA got there this morning she found my mother in bed with only a diaper on. My mother's personal HHA took a picture of my mother so I could see what was going on. I was furious and left work to speak with the Director of Nurses. They took down all the info and told me that they take this very seriously and will investigate the matter. They said that this aide will no longer take care of my mother. Any helpful suggestions will be appreciated.

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I can imagine how upset you must be about this; and also how upset your mother's HHA is, too (good for her, using her initiative like that). Leaving her undressed, even in bed, is disgraceful; no excuse. I hope you get a constructive and meaningful reply from the Director very soon.
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GinGin, maybe it is just one bad apple. It happens, even in the best-run places. If so, and she's not going near your mother again, then problem solved. I hope so.
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Thanks, Veronica. My mother is a very modest person, even in her dementia. She also cannot dress or undress herself. They are putting all of the CNAs through training again focusing on patients with dementia. My mother now has a very kind CNA who is bathing, dressing and toileting her. The investigation is ongoing and I usually get one call a day from the NH telling me what they are doing.
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I'm sorry I was hasty to answer. 18555003537. That's the elder abuse hotline.
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Gingin you did all the right things. If you are not satisfied contact your States health board they take these complaints very seriously and will investigate. keep the photograph and have your Aide write up a description of the things she has noticed. it is better if the person who actually saw the abuse put it down in their own words.
While these Aides typicall have too many patients to care for and get burned out dealing with the elderly and demented there is no excuse for this type of behaviour.
On a side note it is often very difficult to keep clothes on demented patients. At the stage where they have stopped walking the dementia is far advanced and they don't know what they are doing. I am sure you are upset and angry and quite rightly but maybe you should pay a visit unanounced at different times of the day and see what you observe with your mother and other patients.
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Report it. There should be large posters, by law in the facility w numbers you can call. Are you visiting her?
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I visit her every evening and on Saturdays & Sundays (I work full-time) but when I'm there everyone is nice.
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I am so sorry this happened to your Mom. You did the right thing. If it is not corrected immediately, go higher up the chain of command. If it still doesn't stop, call a lawyer! Best of luck to you and Mom.
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I don't know what is allowed as far as how to handle it, but I would do more than make sure she was not near my mother; I would make sure she lost her job. A person like that has NO BUSINESS in the same building as the elderly, much less caring for them. I would report her, I would contact an attorney... but that's me... I would be so livid I would not be able to see straight. Maybe I am not the best person to advise on this.. ?
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Things sounds as though they are going in the right direction due to your vigilence.
Hope Mom is content.
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