How do I instigate one to one care at meal times in a care home?

[Austinsmum]

For the past two years my mum has been slowly declining due to AD in a lovely nursing home. She's now bedridden and unable to do anything for herself The staff are lovely but let's get real, if it takes 45 minutes to give her a cup of tea, a smoothie and a milk jelly then that's a big drain on the staff. I think it's time to instigate a carer to be allocated to her at mealtimes. Financially, mum's deal is that she tips up her pensions, and the remainder of her care is paid for by SS + the nursing element. I'm wary of rattling the wrong door in the first instance. Any advice or pointers would be gratefully received.

 

[Shedrech]

Hi Austinsmum
in dad's home the carer's serve the meals for those who are able to sit at table or in the lounge, then to those in their rooms who are able to eat unaided (and choose not to come to the dining room) then they settle to help those residents who need it and everyone is given the time it takes - and they do carefully check that everyone has had a suitable meal
I think if I had any concerns, I'd speak to the manager and just be honest - so have a chat and see what the manager has to say, hopefully they'll have some ideas
best wishes

 

[Austinsmum]

Hi Austinsmum
in dad's home the carer's serve the meals for those who are able to sit at table or in the lounge, then to those in their rooms who are able to eat unaided (and choose not to come to the dining room) then they settle to help those residents who need it and everyone is given the time it takes - and they do carefully check that everyone has had a suitable meal
I think if I had any concerns, I'd speak to the manager and just be honest - so have a chat and see what the manager has to say, hopefully they'll have some ideas
best wishes

Thanks for replying. And I'm sure you're right that I start with the manager. Just didn't want to get anyone's back's up as I want the best for my mum. I half thought about starting with a social worker (as extra money would have to be found for the extra man hours) but that'd be a right can of worms!

 

[Shedrech]

Hi Austinsmum
You are fully entitled to talk with the manager and staff about any aspect of your mum's care - as she's been in the home for so long and you say it and the staff are lovely, I doubt if just chatting things over will get anyone's feathers ruffled - I find the more I chat with the staff the easier it is to mention anything I have a concern about, and I haven't had anyone react negatively; they know I support them and they've got to know dad well, so I trust them - we all have his best interests at heart, after all - and I'm sure that's the same in your mum's home
so just pop in and have a word with the manager - s/he will probably know about organising funding too

 

[grove]

Hope This Helps

For the past two years my mum has been slowly declining due to AD in a lovely nursing home. She's now bedridden and unable to do anything for herself The staff are lovely but let's get real, if it takes 45 minutes to give her a cup of tea, a smoothie and a milk jelly then that's a big drain on the staff. I think it's time to instigate a carer to be allocated to her at mealtimes. Financially, mum's deal is that she tips up her pensions, and the remainder of her care is paid for by SS + the nursing element. I'm wary of rattling the wrong door in the first instance. Any advice or pointers would be gratefully received.

Hello AMum , I read your post yesterday & was a bit wary of replying for various reasons , however as I work in a Specialist Dementia Unit as a Catering Assistant ( S D Unit is the P C correct name instead of EMI just added that so you understood ) Tho I work in the Kitchen do know how the System works** ( good friend is a Senior Carer in C H & where we worked together ) My thoughts are............ the Carer assisting your Mother should have passed on the Information that it is taking longer at Meal times & therefore your Mum's Care Plan should have been updated ? As i do know Care Plans do need updating when Residents needs change etc & I would have hoped the management at the C H would have taken your Mum's new needs on board & made some adjustment in Staffing levels etc or made sure your Mum has extra time too have her meal at her pace Sorry you are having too sort this out Tho am very pleased it a lovely C H which is great


The N H where I work all Residents that are not able too come into the Dining Room ( for various reasons ) have their Meals first partly because there are a few who need help from the Carer Then after that all other Resident's have their Meal in the Dining Room (think it is done like that so Care Staff can spend more time with the Resident's who need assisting in their rooms plus time factor for the Resident)


As other's have said am sure a friendly word with the Manger etc will hopefully sort the problem out ! Good Luck & sorry if this is late & you have all ready had *A Word * in the Office


Best Wishes too you & your Mum


Grove x

 

[fizzie]

You shouldn't have to pay any extra for a basic need like giving someone food. That would be really outrageous. I agree have a word with the Manager but don't offer to pay more, just say that it isn't happening and how can it be resolved

 

[Austinsmum]

Thank you Grove for that insight. Very useful additional information. I like to be prepared. Haven't been in today as my wheels are being MOT'd.

 

[grove]

Thank you Grove for that insight. Very useful additional information. I like to be prepared. Haven't been in today as my wheels are being MOT'd.

You are very welcome AMum & this is what T P does at is best offer support or as you said Insight (guess if I did not know a friend who was a Senior Carer would not have understood the system & how Care Plans work etc)


Good Luck with the MOT ! hope it does not cost you any *Extra* etc ( am one of the many odd ? people who do not drive ! just as well as could not afford it ! > costly enough running the House with out running a Car ! Tho do understand how very useful they are


Grove x

 

[grove]

Valid Comments !

You shouldn't have to pay any extra for a basic need like giving someone food. That would be really outrageous. I agree have a word with the Manager but don't offer to pay more, just say that it isn't happening and how can it be resolved

Hello AMum , I fully agree with Fizzie's post & *said it* in my head ( after reading your Post for the second time ) but was not brave enough too post ! !


Am sure if the Manger is up too the Job ( good Manger plus deputy other Senior Staff etc ) it should be resolved with out too many problems etc ( my view ) especially if the Manger has a good working relationship with the Head Chef** ( for example all meals do not have too be served at the correct time) Most good Chef's would be able too serve a meal 10 or 5 mins before time E g if a Resident had a Clinic Appt etc & needed a early meal


Good Luck with sorting it out & please do post on how you got on etc if you can


Best Wishes


Grove x

 

[Mannie]

For the past two years my mum has been slowly declining due to AD in a lovely nursing home. She's now bedridden and unable to do anything for herself The staff are lovely but let's get real, if it takes 45 minutes to give her a cup of tea, a smoothie and a milk jelly then that's a big drain on the staff. I think it's time to instigate a carer to be allocated to her at mealtimes. Financially, mum's deal is that she tips up her pensions, and the remainder of her care is paid for by SS + the nursing element. I'm wary of rattling the wrong door in the first instance. Any advice or pointers would be gratefully received.

I don't think u should worry about raising attention to changing needs, neither that you would have to pay for them.

Suggestion would be to gather and document some examples of what you Have observed , or what others have observed, that lead you to believe that more help is needed, since it is always best to give concrete examples with dates and times.

Then have a friendly discussion with the manager responsible for the care delivery, and suggest an update to the Care Plan. Then ask to review the care plan once modified, so you can see that it meets your mothers needs as you have witnessed them.

Then you can observe whether the care plan is being followed, and if not , you can discuss this with the manager to understand the reason.

I hope this helps.