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Discussion

Unbearable heat

How can a nursing home not have to have air conditioning when it is 90-100 degrees outside and it feels as hot inside. Employees are physically sick from the heat. Many residents like it hot but many others are miserable. I will take a thermometer with me tomorrow and keep it on my med cart.

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    • Featured Replies

    ...sounds pretty unpleasant, to me! On the other hand, air conditioning is a relatively new thing. People lived for many, many generations without it.

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    Depends on where you live as to whether this is cruel and/or greedy economic demands, or just not having caught up with our new reality of climate change.

    Regardless, it should be dealt with. Many elderly have breathing difficulties like COPD where the humidity can put them in danger. The nurses must be especially aware of fluid/lyte replacement. Then we come to those patients on common medications like he beta blockers which slow or prevent diaphoresis, and cools one down .

    What are they thinking?!

    I don't like to tell someone to "rock the boat" , and you can help by asking questions to see where it leads to any change, or to a brick wall.

    If it's the wall, then I would determine exactly how dangerous or life threatening this could be , then weigh my choices depending on how open the admin is open to such comment .

    Goodluck !

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    Wow. I cannot imagine that. Ridiculous.

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    If you want something fixed let a family member file a complaint.

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    That's true icuRnmaggie.

    I was thinking it was a place with low visitation.

    It seems like the family should atleast be aware.

    It's we who see it most, and we who are the advocates.

    So, that's a great idea; to bring this to the attention to the families of the patients who are suffering from the heat most.

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    [h=4]"19.309 Other Environmental Conditions[/h]The facility must provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and the public."

    This was pulled directly from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability website. It is my understanding that, at least in Texas, if the indoor temp rises above 85 degrees that it must be addressed immediately as it is a violation of environmental regs.

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    No mention of humidity I suppose.

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    • Guides

    I don't know if it's a state-specific thing, but mine mandates that the thermostat in nursing facilities must be set between 72-76 degrees at all times. That's great in the winter, but in the summer it does NOT keep the place cooler! Most of these buildings feel like they're 300 degrees year-round, which is miserable for staff and even some of the residents. Of course, you always have the LOLs who are bundled up in sweaters and blankets while everyone else is sweltering. :wacky:

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    • Experts

    I am unable to work in hot conditions and always make this known when I start a new home health case. Usually this poses no problem. But I get somewhat discouraged when the time comes and the family member who made no objection in the beginning then starts making jabbing comments about their electric bill and/or turns off the air conditioner. At that point, I make plans to leave the case and chalk up the first few weeks or months as "lesson learned". One person kept up the unreasonable demands so much that I asked her what would happen if I passed out in the heat with the patient in my care and there was no one to call the ambulance for me? They just kept right on, making their point.

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    ...sounds pretty unpleasant, to me! On the other hand, air conditioning is a relatively new thing. People lived for many, many generations without it.

    They also lived for many, many generations without electricity, central heating or running water.

    For a facility not to have AC in a climate where temps reach 90-100 degrees is unacceptable and they should be legally compelled to install it.

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    So, in addition they have no interest in making their family member comfortable either?

    Or maybe they are too ill to complain...?

    I would not be able to work in such an environment myself, so I'm in full empathy. I also see how it would be a problem to get this, agreement in writing unless you work independently. Then it may be feasible to put a word or two in your basic agreement.

    The problem is getting anyone to agree to signing anything in this competitive job market.

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    Any chance that this is reportable to state for elder endangerment?

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