Follow
Share

Or would you be wrong for speaking your mind, whilst they are in hospital? my mum has been in hospital for 10 weeks awaiting a care home, she was put into a boarding bed hospital 3 weeks ago, I have come across many faults with this place, I have notices up stating home was only..i have been there whilst they have brought laundry back which belongs to my mum, clothes which have shrunk, I have had words about this to the staff nurses who blame the night shift bank nurses, I came in last week to find my mum in trousers a 31"leg, my mother is a 25" these trousers did not belong to her. she is a falls risk patients & yet this went un-noticed, I had words once again and changed her into her own clothes. then her teeth were lost, she has dementia & has no idea where they are. she went off her meals due to this, I was told a dentist had been informed but as yet she goes without. we were shocked whilst visiting at night time, the patients have there meal 5=6 pm. they are taken back to the ward and changed immediately for bed.they are asleep for 6-15pm. I have seen no visitors at night apart from us that go to see my mum, although I have seen a few during the day visiting there relatives, but its not everyone who gets a visitor ( my heart goes out to them) the ward lights go off & the night lamps are on before visiting time at 6-30pm.my mum refuses to put on her nightie after tea-time, therefore we change her before we leave, we have been told not to turn on her radio whilst the other patients are asleep, told not to play cards with her at night, I lost it and asked if it was ok to talk to her, the nurse just glared at me. on 2 occasions my mum has packed all her clothes, carried bags and a cd player up to the end of the corridor it was her crying that alerted the night staff as a code number has to be used to open the door, again I had words with them asking how it was possible to get out of a hospital bed when the side rails are up? I was told my mum does not get the sides put up at night despite having been in hospital 9 times due to falling out the bed. I was livid & told them if she happens to fall again whilst there I will go to the care commission, I feel it is like talking to a brick wall, my sister has been angry with them also my nephew..but to no avail. I think it is dangerous for the patients to be put to bed on a full stomach, I strongly disagree with this, I will be going to 2 care homes on Monday, hopefully 1 will finally be suitable for my mum. however I do feel for the patients who will be there going through this bed time stupidity, I feel if I can help them in anyway I will certainly do whatever it takes, they are human beings despite having dementia they are able to hold a conversation for a short time, they are being treated like children, supper then bed. not even a mum would put her kid to bed after a 2 course meal at tea-time, this has me feeling so angry and of course worried about the safety of these patients, there is 1 doctor who comes every Wednesday to see the patients I presume? no other doctor is in this boarding bed hospital. would you agree they are correct in putting patients to bed at 6pm.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
A nurse told me you should at least sit upright for 30 minutes after a meal to help digestion.
Gravity helps the digestion process and prevents symptoms like heartburn and other issues.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I agree, too, and don't forget that some people here will be caring for much bigger and more able-bodied spouses - it is literally, physically impossible for them to provide adequate care, and that's not even considering what happens if a person with dementia becomes violent or agitated. Please do not kick in the teeth people who have already had to make heart-breaking decisions.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I agree. There are some great nursing homes out there. Please don't say thumbs down to all nursing homes. Some people such as myself had no choice but to put my mom in one so hearing comments like that hurts.

As for how we speak to the staff at nursing homes. I think if they are soo overly sensitive that they will mistreat your loved one if they feel like you have offended them then maybe they should find a different line of work.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Willows, not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver. 30% of caregivers die before their patient does. Some have heart attacks. Some crash and burn mentally. It really does come down to your survival or theirs. Far better you live longer, so you can manage their care.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Willows...that is ridiculous.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

A person with dementia belongs in his/her own home, not in a nursing home. Even the "best" nursing homes are poorly staffed these days. A nursing home should be the very last resort, which means the caregiver has died and there is nobody on deck to take on the care of the individual. Thumbs down on all nursing homes! :(
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

When I was with my cousin, who has dementia, in the hospital, one of the assistants who helped with her care, told me to always wait for at least 30 minutes after she ate to lay her down. She should remain upright for at least 30 minutes. I have since read that is true too.

All places have issues, but I know what it's like to wonder about the care your loved one is getting. I recently relocated my cousin to a new place and it has made a huge difference. The thought the staff puts into the care is so much better. The people have a good vibe about them and I can see how they relate to the residents. It's just very different. I only wish I had gone to this place sooner. Of course, hindsight is twenty twenty, but I did the best I could, based on my knowledge at that time. The new place is not as fancy to the eye, but the true things that matter are much more important.

It's so difficult to know if you are picking the right place. A place can have glowing reviews from others, but not be the right fit for your loved one. I've learned that.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I just have one comment in regard to bed rails. DO NOT PUT UP BED RAILS! People often try to climb over the bed rails and get caught in the rails and die. A very expert nurse practitioner who specialized in seeing people with dementia provided this warning and when a hospice program provided a hospital bed for my mother, I never ever put up the bed rails.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Sounds like a warehouse to me. get them out of the way so work is easier by hook or by crook. Store the living bodies in the bed as much as possible. Forget that these bodies are human beings with feelings.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

1. Get your mother placed as soon as humanly possible.
2. Document everything you have observed at this godawful battery farm and copy it to whoever commissions these services and to your local authorities. It sounds abysmal. It also sounds like the 'value' option - cheap at half price. The people who send patients their way for care must not be allowed to pretend they didn't realise how badly it's run. It's a real blast from the past.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Just reading your post makes me want to go get your mom and bring her home. What do they do when you're not there! I would get her home asap if it were me, until you find a care home for her. Hire an agency or someone on caredotcom. Good Lord thats not fair. I keep my Mom in her recliner for an hour after each meal or in her hospital bed with the head raised up . Then I lower her on an angle for the night or she will cough. Its likely they could regurgitate on their food if they are flat, not right. Its a good way to get pneumonia. I witnessed a CNA feeding fluid to a bedridden patient laying flat, with a straw, when the daughter wasn't there. That particular woman had pneumonia 7 times that year. In interviewing over one hundred caretakers from nursing homes to help me at home, it all sounds so familiar. They also mix up meds, not only clothing and teeth, and do not tell you. Their hygiene practices are horrible and they all get infections unless they can wash themselves, how sad. As kseale said, if they don't like you, they are worse on your parent, so your in a no-win situation. They will only watch their back if you are there, and could be worse when you are not. Very sorry, its so hard I know, been doing it 7 years now too with my Mom. Good Luck
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Many dementia patients will pack their cloths or cry to go home even when they are home. While I have never heard of a boarding hospital, the facility should have a regulatory agency that you can complain to. There should be a sign someplace in the facility with a phone number to call. You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Bureau of Senior Services for assistance. This sounds like a long term care facility of sorts, and they should be able to assist you in finding how and who to contact with any concerns and complaints. I'm sorry your mother has to go through this, she is lucky to have you to advocate for her.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

In the US bed rails are forbidden because it is considered restraint. Floor Mats are put on floor around the bed for a softer landing. I would move my mom to a different place if possible. This place has many issues, I think. I would be careful about how you speak to the staff, even though it sounds to me as if many of these nurses need discipline. If you speak harshly to them they may take it out on your mom when you're not there to protect her. Hopefully she will get a bed in a better place soon.this is a very tough situation. My heart goes out to you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

It's obviously easier on the staff to get everyone tucked into bed early, but I agree that 6:15 is a little excessive! And of course no one visits there in the evening, what would be the point when your loved one in all ready tucked in for the night.
As for the railings, they are discouraged here in Canada as well, apparently studies show more severe injuries with them than without. I'm glad you are able to get you mum to a better place, and I feel sorry for all those who can not. :(
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

As a nurse, no, I do not agree with putting a patient to bed after they have eaten. This place needs to be reported and I don't know where you live so I cannot comment on the laws, but try to get your mother out of here as soon as possible.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

What is a boarding bed hospital?

BTW please make some spaces between every few lines when posting, blocks of text don't get read.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Even if you put mum up in the Ritz, she would still pack her bags and want to leave. It's part of dementia " I want to go home" and many families take them home only to find out they do not recognize their own home. "Home" for them means returning to younger days, healthier, active.
Bedrails: NO facility wants to use them over more, patients crawl over and get tangled up and hit their head or snap a leg.
Bedtime: My mom is in an ALF, the patients are 90% asleep by 8PM by choice.
Most hospitals here in NY end visitation at 8PM or 9PM and no later. They start falling asleep during the 6:00 news!
Potty time: go to a geriatric floor any day about 1-2 PM and the air is permeated with pooh. Seems like everybody goes after lunch.
You are understandably livid. Admit and vent your frustration, but realize this: She is not going to improve. We have been to the ER 6 times in 6 months for falls. Why? Because mom thinks she is just fine. The last fall occurred during a day trip to the Mall, where she attempted to go up an escalator with a walker. Nobody can prevent falls and the commission all but forbids bed rails, chair belts or any other "humiliation" that will keep them safe. My prayers are with you and mum.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter