Mum is in a residential care home with middle/late stage Alzheimer’s and we’ve just had a phone call to say she has had a fall and needs to go to hospital overnight for observations. No-one from the home is allowed to go with her and none of the family are allowed either. I’m worried that she’ll be anxious without a familiar face, won’t be able to communicate and make herself understood and also worried about the risks of COVID going into hospital. Has anyone else been in this situation?
A&E admissions during lockdown
- Thread starter Violin1963
- Start date
How worrying for you @Violin1963
Sadly, I think there are a lot of people in your situation at the moment. I wish you strength.
Sadly, I think there are a lot of people in your situation at the moment. I wish you strength.
A & E is keeping all covid cases seperate from non covid. But also has walls rather than curtains between bays. All staff are in full ppe with glove etc changes between patients to minimise any risk of transmission.
I realise that this might be a bit scary but care home staff are wearing masks at the moment as well.
My friend works on A & E and she was certainly experienced in dementia when I saw her in action when my mum was there in Jan. I'm sure the staff are doing their best to overcome the issues.
I realise that this might be a bit scary but care home staff are wearing masks at the moment as well.
My friend works on A & E and she was certainly experienced in dementia when I saw her in action when my mum was there in Jan. I'm sure the staff are doing their best to overcome the issues.
Thank you for your reassurances.
We have been with mum on a few occasions to A&E prior to this national emergency and the staff do work well and I’m sure that will not falter but in my past experience little things like, not understanding what someone is doing, needing a drink or the toilet get overlooked when a patient can’t communicate. I know these little things aren’t important in the big scheme of things but this oversight of dignity is a major disadvantage for Alzheimer’s patients going into hospitals alone.
My wife was rushed to A&E the other week, unlike normal times there was no waiting for hours in the corridor before even being seen. She had CT scan plus blood tests and was out within a few hours.
No, and more distressing I was not able to get through to the hospital using the telephone, thankfully our social worker was able to get an update on her condition to me.
One thing I did do was to order an ID bracelet with our telephone and email details on, so next time the hospital will be able to keep in contact.
That is a very good idea Alex.
How worrying and stressful for you, I hope you and your wife are reunited.
