[TiggerBelly]

I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on this subject. I work in an ALF and we have a resident who has a doctor's order for the individual 6oz bottles of wine to be given during lunch and dinner times. According to the resident, the doctor made this order to prevent her from being put on any anti-anxiety medication. At any rate her complaint is that the bottles are too hard to find and that she runs out sooner than what she thinks she should. Here is the debate we are having now. Since it is a doctors order that she is allowed wine twice day, is it the facility's responsiblilty to ensure that she has the wine (at her cost) or is it her responsibilty? I can already tell you there has been alot of drama involved with this and this situation has been going on for quite some time. At any rate any opinions would be welcome! Thank you!

[Ginger35]

Okay, I remember a rare occasion when a patient was allowed to drink beer in the hospital while recovering from some sort of orthopedic injury. Anyways, the hospital pharmacy dispensed the beer that was prescribed - However, it was one heck of a mark-up and at the patient's expense!!!

[ddoosier]

I have given budweiser via ngt to a pt with dt's. it was prescribed and it worked.

[caliotter3]

We had a few people in LTC facilities that could have wine with meals or at bedtime. Their families brought in bottles which were marked with the resident's name and kept in the frig in the med room. I remember one of the ladies was getting close to passing, and as nurses might do sometimes, there was some banter about who was going to get the leftover wine. I would think that the family or the resident herself would provide the wine. That way it wouldn't be so expensive. If she is complaining about it running out too soon, I hope she is not accusing the staff of stealing her supply.

[morte]

were is it being kept? if in her own "space" she should have a locking cabinet. the hard to find comment i dont understand, either it would be under her control or staff, so how would it be hard to find? unless she is saying a supply of that size is becoming hard to find? maybe she really wants the bigger bottle so she can have freer access?

[Sabby_NC]

Wow I want a bed in that facility. Love a little red wine with a meal from time to time. Much better than anti anxiety meds.

[nrscindy]

if I were in a LTF, I would be at the point of my life where I think NOBODY would dictate as to whether I have a glass of wine or not. I say let her be happy, and have her wine. Are we worried about addiction? That's as silly as worrying about a terminal cancer pt becoming addicted to their morphine..... Really now... let's give some folks a break.

[Hopefull2009]

Those small bottles of wine are called "splits"....alot of people don't know that if they want something from a grocery store, they can make a special request to have it ordered or stocked....especially wine.

I sometimes drink wine or beer at home to keep myself from taking my migraine medication...sometimes it's a tension headache and not a true migraine...it relaxes the muscles in my neck and the pain goes away...no pill needed. I can do this on only 1 1/2 glasses....my biggest fear is developing a tolerance to my meds.

[creature]

My grandfather was in a long-term care facility and he was allowed a shot of whiskey everyday, which the family supplied. This was the one thing he looked forward to everyday. The bottle of whiskey was kept at the nurses station and it was dispensed like a medication. It made him happy. They have rights too.

[jeanniern55]

In my years of LTC we have had a few people who had beer or wine we even had a lady that had 2 rum and cokes each evening, we have always treated the liquor like a controlled drug signing out for it. The family always provided it.