Tea or not hot tea?
- Thread starter Grannie G
- Start date
I wonder about the lack of common sense. Doesn't seem to exist anymore, with so many people I have to deal with
I'm wondering if it's because people don't learn from their mistakes or maybe not allowed to make mistakes, have to follow procedure so much, so that common sense isn't nurtured.
Not that I'm thinking anyone with dementia/Alzheimer's should be treated as a child... But would that carer have left a young child a cup of tea so hot and not supervised them?
I totally agree 2jays.
I wonder if the home have in place correct training procedures and incident procedures to follow this up correctly so that the nurse can learn what she could have done differently.
As an ex-care home worker - unless it was written in the care plan that a person had to be supervised, we were not supposed to do it - and little enough time was allocated in the list of duties to supervise those where it was recognised that they needed support in the care plan, making it really hard to complete the 'tea round' in the time allowed for it anyway . . . but it was a matter of common sense (not discussed with managers, or advised in any training that I attended) that on the tea trolley, we would add a jug with cold water, to top off drinks that might be too hot and pose a danger.
As said - not rocket science!
As said - not rocket science!
Sorry no ideas but having read this thread I have to say I feel your angst and want to send you a hug and empathy. X
At my mum's home they were careful about that, I think, unless they knew I was there and being careful about it and then they'd leave me with the drink. Most of Mum's drinks were luke warm but I would rather that than that she was scalded. That is poor care and I would complain. 
It would appear that so many things would go so much better if a little common sense were applied, wouldn't they? And I've noticed that the older people get, the less they like really hot drinks anyway. I know by now, William likes things just above warm. Apart from the danger of spillage, there's the danger of them burning their mouths.
Soft hands?
I almost passed this one by and then realised how relevant it is. My husband is a retired carpenter and no softie in the past but recently I have noticed how soft his hands have become since he no longer does manual work. As a result when I hand him a mug of tea I have to be very careful that he has a proper grip of the handle as he is very sensitive to the heat of the container as well as the tea itself. A couple of times I have had to grab it back when I see him react to the heat.
Personally I would prefer a cup and saucer which is safer and looks better but time has voted me out on that one.
I almost passed this one by and then realised how relevant it is. My husband is a retired carpenter and no softie in the past but recently I have noticed how soft his hands have become since he no longer does manual work. As a result when I hand him a mug of tea I have to be very careful that he has a proper grip of the handle as he is very sensitive to the heat of the container as well as the tea itself. A couple of times I have had to grab it back when I see him react to the heat.
Personally I would prefer a cup and saucer which is safer and looks better but time has voted me out on that one.
At mum's home, they have cups of tea rather than mugs, and the tea is not really hot either. Everyone is monitored and some, including mum sometimes, have a two handled beaker with a lid. Her hands are shaky on occasion, and I've noticed this when she comes to my house. I always top up her cup with a little cold water, as when I put it down next to her she picks it up straight away to drink, regardless of temperature, every couple of minutes. I try and make sure it's drinking temeperature striaght away. I can't believe that a nursking home would give a resident a boiling hot cup, it's outrageous.
Hi sarby can't believe that they would give your poor mum a cup of boiling hot tea idioms. Hope your mum ok and not in to much pain. Linda xx
Just another perspective...it was luke warm tea that stopped my mother drinking when in hospital. That and half filled cups. This led to a crisis position where she was refusing both food and drink. Damned if you do and damned if you don't situation I think.
Fiona
Fiona
Yes my Mum also insists on 'very hot tea' (what we would think of as normal) because she hated it being luke warm in hospital. she likes a mug, but not too full. At a course I was on today, they were saying don't give water in a clear glass, as the person's vision may be a bit wonky and they can't spot it sitting on a table. Also that bright colours like red are good for mugs/cups, as they are more visible, as blues and greens and pale colours may fade a bit for a dementia sufferer. That doesn't help with people who have trouble holding things, but just thought it was interesting
I often wonder whether the 'not drinking enough' syndrome is partly due to the drinks they're offered, especially if it's tea. Too hot, too lukewarm, too strong, too weak, too milky, you name it. Maybe even the 'wrong' brand that doesn't taste quite right. Tea can be a very personal matter.
I don't think that some foreign carers understand out tea. My husband's tea is sometimes just milk and water with a touch of tea. I sneak another teabag from the dining room!
I often think that lots of different health care professionals do not actually know how to talk to/deal with dementia patients. They should but whether it is lack of training/lack of common sense/being too young or various combinations who knows? I know my MIL has been diagnosed for 2 yrs now & I'm certainly learning on the job, you just think you have mastered something & it changes, or something else crops ups!!
From often frustrated, often tired, often dis-heartened but found this forum this week & know I will use it often.
From often frustrated, often tired, often dis-heartened but found this forum this week & know I will use it often.
Are you not able not make him one yourself? First thing I always do at my mother's CH is make her a cup of tea - easy since it's an open plan kitchen/sitting/dining room and relatives can always help themselves. Even if you are able, it's not much use when you're not there, though. But I think I'd tell them that he likes his tea a bit stronger, please!
Sarby- tights might be the answer if you cut them down. She could get quite warm with a full pair on. Does your Mum wear a nightie or pyjamas as depending on where the wound is pyjamas could help.
Hope your Mum gets better soon. Can't believe the home let the wound get infected. It's a good that the District Nurse popped in
(((Big Hugs))) to you both xx
I can make a cup of tea at any time I wish and do so. However I was referring to the routine cups of tea the carers make for the residents.
My husband is in a nursing home and on the 'nursing' wing as well which means that the residents here are mainly non-mobile, most are in bed for most of the time and are pretty ill and in need of a lot of care so the carers are very busy.
The reason I take a tea bag surreptitiously is because I have no wish to cause any trouble or offence or to the carers by suggesting their tea is not up to scratch. They make it for everyone on the wing of 20 rooms together in a large tea pot so, rather than ask for something individual, it is easier and kinder, just to take another teabag to strengthen the tea.
This is only sometimes as most of the carers are well able to make a decent cup of tea and I was referring only to the few carers who are obviously not au fait wih our cuppas!
I no longer have any idea how my husband likes his tea as he is unable to communicate in any way and, as we know, with dementia, former likes and dislikes have no meaning. As I have difficulty in getting him to drink his tea whatever its consistency, I don't think it matters about when I am not there. It is just that I wouldn't like to drink very weak, milky tea!
