Hi there, I was hoping I could get a little input from LTC nurses....
LTC is not my specialty, although, I am familiar w/LTC and even worked, a long time ago, as an aide in one.
Sadly, just a week ago, I had to admit my mom into a facility. She has multiple medical problems, now most recently w/Parkinson's and a long-standing dementia diagnosis. She is ambulatory and pleasant. She typically denies any offer of help and, if left unattended will spend the whole day in bed. She will miss meals, not take meds, not bathe, etc. She is completely incontinent, and does not even realize that she is soiled, nor will she attempt to change herself. Since admitting her to the facility she has not been bathed, and has not been getting her Depends changed, nor her clothing. They are pretty much leaving her be. In fact, yesterday no one took her to the dining room for breakfast or lunch! I did speak w/the ADON on Fri to try and re-iterate her needs, and all she told me was..."well your mom looks OK, like she's independent, so the staff may not realize she needs help"! OK, why would she be there if she were independent, or not needing any help?? No one did an admission assessment, no one actually spoke to us and asked about her needs or what her level of care should be. I had already discussed this in length w/the Admissions people prior to admitting her, but, obviously, that was not communicated.
Also, they placed a blind, severely disoriented/dementia patient next to her, in the far bed a couple of days ago. The woman gets up, confused and tries to climb into my mom's bed, and has already broken a couple items of my mother's due to her behaviors.....I am continually speaking to the staff, but to no avail.
Is this the norm? I know there is an adjustment period for new residents, but this seems odd.....
Any input is appreciated. I have left messages for the DON, but she has not called me back and when I was speaking to the ADON last week, she could hardly wait to get me off the phone! I don't feel I'm being unreasonable when talking to staff, either, I make sure I am polite and respectful of their position.
