Has anyone had cause to speak to a supervisor in a nursing home about a member of staff? How did you handle it and was there a detrimental outcome. I had to do such today. It was not easy as I hate confrontation.
What is the actual problem, smartieplum? Or do you not wish to go into that.Has anyone had cause to speak to a supervisor in a nursing home about a member of staff? How did you handle it and was there a detrimental outcome. I had to do such today. It was not easy as I hate confrontation.
I feel for you.
I am in the middle of composing a letter to my mums care home manager (and social services) about the failure to provide her with pain relief because “she hasn’t asked for it .
Painkillers are normally put on Mar charts prn not routine if a resident declines it when offered then the staff are unable to administer it.. it's a bit like routine medications we can't force anyone to take them only ask and get all means to administer without forcing them.I feel for you.
I am in the middle of composing a letter to my mums care home manager (and social services) about the failure to provide her with pain relief because “she hasn’t asked for it “!
Thankfully she is only in respite and will hopefully move to another home within a week.
I read an article by “Which” magazine which gave me the confidence to do it.
Nothing major I suppose. A very unfortunate attitude from a staff member. She told me a couple of weeks ago, "your mother had diarrhoea all night from eating too much chocolate". This was in the patients lounge in front of other visitors. I let it go but at the weekend I went up to see mum with my nephew and we were shouted at that it was dinner time and we shouldn't be there. Actually berated. It was the end of lunch which had actually been served late. Now, if shes like that with us, what's she like with the residents. I've heard her with some of the residents and she's not nice. Perhaps it's her way, but maybe a little retraining would not go amiss. You hear so many horror stories. If I hear her dealing with my mum in such a way, Id just call the police, I swear!What is the actual problem, smartieplum? Or do you not wish to go into that.
I've had a few problems with carers at home over the last few years and have to say the outcomes have varied from indifference to positive action via false promises. It's always best to put in writing the basics of who what where and when as firmly and politely as possible before calling the manager a day or two later if you have not had an official reply by then.
I hate confrontation too, but dislike sloppy care just as much. It's never easy or pleasant though is it?
Good luck.
Nothing major I suppose. A very unfortunate attitude from a staff member. She told me a couple of weeks ago, "your mother had diarrhoea all night from eating too much chocolate". This was in the patients lounge in front of other visitors. I let it go but at the weekend I went up to see mum with my nephew and we were shouted at that it was dinner time and we shouldn't be there. Actually berated. It was the end of lunch which had actually been served late. Now, if shes like that with us, what's she like with the residents. I've heard her with some of the residents and she's not nice. Perhaps it's her way, but maybe a little retraining would not go amiss. You hear so many horror stories. If I hear her dealing with my mum in such a way, Id just call the police, I swear!
In circumstances like these I too would write a letter or e-mail about that staff member. Don’t worry too much about doing this as there isn’t anything wrong with being assertive if polite at the same time.Nothing major I suppose. A very unfortunate attitude from a staff member. She told me a couple of weeks ago, "your mother had diarrhoea all night from eating too much chocolate". This was in the patients lounge in front of other visitors. I let it go but at the weekend I went up to see mum with my nephew and we were shouted at that it was dinner time and we shouldn't be there. Actually berated. It was the end of lunch which had actually been served late. Now, if shes like that with us, what's she like with the residents. I've heard her with some of the residents and she's not nice. Perhaps it's her way, but maybe a little retraining would not go amiss. You hear so many horror stories. If I hear her dealing with my mum in such a way, Id just call the police, I swear!
I feel for you.
I am in the middle of composing a letter to my mums care home manager (and social services) about the failure to provide her with pain relief because “she hasn’t asked for it “!
Thankfully she is only in respite and will hopefully move to another home within a week.
I read an article by “Which” magazine which gave me the confidence to do it.
Painkillers are normally put on Mar charts prn not routine if a resident declines it when offered then the staff are unable to administer it.. it's a bit like routine medications we can't force anyone to take them only ask and get all means to administer without forcing them.
I think you're right to complain. My mother sustained an injury after a fall at her care home, and was prescribed pain relief. The staff specifically said to me they it would be given on a regular schedule rather than prn, because PWDs are unlikely to 'request' it and may not even specifically indicate they have pain.
If the Care Home is good - correction - adhering properly to all the accepted 'codes of practice', that should be a given. As relatives, we must understand that the regime in Care Homes which lasts 24 hours, works best without disruption, because dementia is exacerbated by any disruption. So we allow meal times to be free, to be just that. We allow the Care Staff to carry out their duties without hindrance. That is fair. For often, a given resident might present with agitation at the table and managing that correctly, to allow other residents to complete their meals, is just one example. The same applies to handling. There are 'safe' procedures which must be left to the trained Care Staff. The implications of intervening for the most worthy of reasons, could be dire, if a mishap came about due simply to 'wanting to give a helping hand'. The same criteria we apply to a hospital visit seems appropriate here, in terms of Care. Let those who are trained to do so, carry out the function of 'care' to the very best of their ability, based firmly on proper training and with 'respect and dignity'.
However, there are other fundamentals which go hand-in-hand with the above. These relate to the one who has previously been the 'carer' and who has most likely given their very all in terms of commitment and health, to their loved one, perhaps over decades. The one who has undergone the depths of despair, pain, frustration, isolation and more, in the course of that care, only to succumb - without choice - to the eventual handing over of that role, to a stranger. In essence, that is precisely what it is. The 'stranger' encapsulated in terms of the Care Home or facility. That alone evokes all manner of doubts, muddled notions of 'guilt', what-ifs and a general sense of powerless detachment. Thus, requires that all those employed in the Care Home now in 'ownership' of your loved one, understand to a fault, the implications of just what you have endured and continue to endure. And so, respect, empathy and complete awareness of the fact - that you maintain a very powerful and meaningful relationship with your loved one, at all times - but now, in that removed way, made often more challenging simply due to the fact that you are reluctantly an 'onlooker'. This is highly important, because the nature of 'trust' plays a huge role in all of this. When you enter a facility which has an 'open door' policy (I was able to visit my late mother's Care Home at ANY time - night or day - if I wished) and are greeted by 'genuine' smiles and an encouraging welcome, coupled to efficient, disciplined 'care' and ongoing 'respect' for your loved one - that means a very great deal. You, in turn cooperate in the manner befitting such a 'relationship', bearing in mind - at all times - the goal is always 'quality of life' for your loved one. If you have doubts, address them with the Manager and any perceived infraction, elsewhere if you feel in any way rebuffed (i.e.CQC).
At the end of the day, you have placed the one who is dear to you, into what should really be seen as 'home'. Not just some kind of 'waiting room' towards the inevitable, where people simply see out the remainder of their lives, subject to a caprice of welfare and a permanent 'eye on the clock'.
Painkillers are normally put on Mar charts prn not routine if a resident declines it when offered then the staff are unable to administer it.. it's a bit like routine medications we can't force anyone to take them only ask and get all means to administer without forcing them.