Bullying the Elderly into Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

[brandey28]

Today I witnessed for the third time a Doctor scolding an 84 yr. old woman and basically treating her like a child and telling her how she should spend the rest of her life in a Nursing facility. I am fairly new to this field of work, but I was offended for my client and was about to speak up for her when she surprised not only me but the Doctor I had taken her to. After listening to this Doctor go on a rant about how she needs to be in a facility and she is going to fall and die a terrible agonizing death she spoke up and said very calmly to this particular Doctor "You must have Stock in these nursing homes your so rudely trying to force me into!" I about fell off my chair but I bit my tongue instead. This woman is 84, has Parkinsons Disease and other than that she is healthy, smart as a whip and I am so happy she put an end to this particular Doctor's rant about what she needs, she is full aware of what she needs.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If the patient would be unsafe at home due to a history of multiple falls, debility, or early dementia, and no family members are willing to provide caregiving, then perhaps it is time to consider a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility.

Parkinson's disease is progressive, and the eventual outcome usually does not involve more independence or greater mobility. Although the doctor's approach was probably horrid, he is simply covering his butt. He does not want to discharge an elderly lady with severe mobility problems home because she might fall, break a hip, develop a subdural hematoma, or die. Guess who is liable for the inappropriate discharge?

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I think perhaps the OP meant to post in private duty forum? She states she took client TO physician....

If the patient would be unsafe at home due to a history of multiple falls, debility, or early dementia, and no family members are willing to provide caregiving, then perhaps it is time to consider a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility.

Parkinson's disease is progressive, and the eventual outcome usually does not involve more independence or greater mobility. Although the doctor's approach was probably horrid, he is simply covering his butt. He does not want to discharge an elderly lady with severe mobility problems home because she might fall, break a hip, develop a subdural hematoma, or die. Guess who is liable for the inappropriate discharge?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

We've gotten a few admits and quick discharges due to something like this.

Sometimes the docs look at an older person and automatically think that the nursing center/ rehab would be great for them. We got a recent patient that had sugery and was weak. Not all that weak, somewhat independant with ADLs and ambulatory with assist of contact guard. This person was skilled for therapy and pain management. She was absolutely miserable. In the long run, her family that lived in with her took her home. I agreed with this, but they were looked at as difficult family. They felt kinda pressured to have mom go to a LTC for therapy and that's why she came.

My mother and I were talked to by a doc for not having my grandmother go to a LTC. Gram was 98 and had vascular dementia, was weak and able to ambulate short distances, cont bowel and bladder and able to do other adls with set up assist. Did she really, really need pt/ ot? no, no. no. (My mother is a nurse too, but had no info on LTC or rehabs and almost agreed and felt a bit guilty she didnt)

Gramma went home and lived a good life, a bit slower with things, but had the quality of life she deserved.