I have a question that maybe can be answered here. My gma had to be put in a ltc facility about a year ago. She has always had mental issues (severe panic attacks, agorophobia, "imaginary" symptoms, etc.) and once her husband died she basically laid down and didn't get out of bed. This caused her muscles to atrophy, etc. and now she really can't get up out of bed. She had a "helper" but the helper ended up stealing from her, threatening her , slapping her, etc.
so off to LTC she went. (no one else in the family could physically or emotionally take care of her, she is about 170 lbs. of dead weight. She did not even attempt to get up, walk around, leave the house, or even watch TV She also had a habit of calling 911 sometimes several times a night for things like turning down the a/c, help to go to the bathroom , etc.)
Since being in the facility she still refuses to get out of bed and is having panic attacks. She was on valium for 35 years (!!) but had to be taken off of it cold turkey because it was damaging her intestines.
The nurses have suggested she listen to relaxing music, etc. but she just doesn't seem interested. I don't think the ltc facility is necessarily a bad one. I do think she is severely depressed, has OCD, and horrible panic attacks. She has been having these attacks for probably 60 years. It is just so sad. Are mental issues so severe common in ltc, or is it mostly your "run of the mill" depression and dementia ??
She is still very sharp and very kind (not combative at all, if anytying she is passive) but the anxiety is just like something I have never seen.
usually helps to know what it is you want from a situation to get best results. maybe you would like to talk to people who have a mentally ill family member. there are groups on internet for this. re: dropped foot/feet-- sometimes i think this damage can be reversed. it is i believe pretty passive-- they just put a multi podus boot on the person--talk to PT. sometimes the damage is too far gone.
update : A nurse from the facility called and said her Dr. is terminating the relationship. A letter has supposedly been written (by him) explaining his reasons, etc. Now the hunt is on for a new Dr. for her.
I am very curious and interested to see what the letter says !
i got aletter like that once. my doctor was leaving her place of employment and going somewhere else. so it was mundane, not very interesting. nowadays, there is an emphasis on "keeping the resident/patient informed' and giving good service and this is probably just part of that. so, dont get all excited. and remembe, even if your grandmother was remarkably badly behaved, it is unlikely her doctor would write her a big letter explaining he just did not like her at all and could not take it anymore. i think that would be viewed as unprofessional (at the vey least) unethical maybe, blah blah blah. you could ask your gma what the letter said. i am not advocating you do that or not do that. i do not know the situation. but heck, it is an option. i am curious to know why you did not just call or come by and ask her. oh-- i thought of a good way to explain boundary issues. it is when you do not know where you end and someone else begins, or where they end and you begin. usually there are lots of assumptions and non-communication going on. i had a really weird family for most of my life, so i had to spend some time trying to undo all the damage they did to me when i grew up. sometimes i still have to go, "is this really how i feel/think, or is it just something my weird family told me was true when i was little and i haven't learned to undo it yet?"
No he isn't moving, nothign like that. He said he can continue to treat her on an emergency basis. He just basically said there is not much he can do for her anymore. My mother actually said she is glad, as she overheard him saying some not so nice things about her (gma) at the nurses station. Sounds like a quack to me who needs to find a new job.
so glad something good is finally happening for your situation. do you get to help select the new doctor. you know people who are active in their and their loved ones' healthcare, they often get better treatment, i think.
I have a question that maybe can be answered here. My gma had to be put in a ltc facility about a year ago. She has always had mental issues (severe panic attacks, agorophobia, "imaginary" symptoms, etc.) and once her husband died she basically laid down and didn't get out of bed. This caused her muscles to atrophy, etc. and now she really can't get up out of bed. She had a "helper" but the helper ended up stealing from her, threatening her , slapping her, etc.
so off to LTC she went. (no one else in the family could physically or emotionally take care of her, she is about 170 lbs. of dead weight. She did not even attempt to get up, walk around, leave the house, or even watch TV She also had a habit of calling 911 sometimes several times a night for things like turning down the a/c, help to go to the bathroom , etc.)
Since being in the facility she still refuses to get out of bed and is having panic attacks. She was on valium for 35 years (!!) but had to be taken off of it cold turkey because it was damaging her intestines.
The nurses have suggested she listen to relaxing music, etc. but she just doesn't seem interested. I don't think the ltc facility is necessarily a bad one. I do think she is severely depressed, has OCD, and horrible panic attacks. She has been having these attacks for probably 60 years. It is just so sad. Are mental issues so severe common in ltc, or is it mostly your "run of the mill" depression and dementia ??
She is still very sharp and very kind (not combative at all, if anytying she is passive) but the anxiety is just like something I have never seen.
I know in Georgia, where I practice, we must provide psychiatric services. I would go to the DON and explain the problem and then if no results, call your Omnbudsman.
The Administrator should try to contact the psychiatrist and find out why he has not responded.Perhaps her Primary Care Physician would prescribe medication for the depression and OCD.
merricat
138 Posts
usually helps to know what it is you want from a situation to get best results. maybe you would like to talk to people who have a mentally ill family member. there are groups on internet for this. re: dropped foot/feet-- sometimes i think this damage can be reversed. it is i believe pretty passive-- they just put a multi podus boot on the person--talk to PT. sometimes the damage is too far gone.