Care Home Assessment. Deeply upset...
The Community Hospital had a concert this afternoon, only Henry and another man in the sitting room where the care home nurse joined us when she arrived.
She asked Henry some questions; his name he was fine with, date of birth he got the day, month but not the year. Home address, completely forgotten. Wife's name, got that. Then went onto discuss his dementia with me, and then his health. A nurse had given her Henry's folder.
Later a hospital nurse came in to take her to wherever for a discussion with the nursing staff. Earlier I had said to CH nurse could I be included in that and she said she did not see why not. But when she asked the hospital nurse if I could join them she frowned. Slight shake of the head before she turned and left the room.... She did turn in the doorway and said "We wont be long, two minutes" Huh!
CH nurse was away 25 minutes.
I sat with Henry gradually becoming more angry. Not only am I his wife of 53 years, his home carer but also his Welfare Attorney. But this hospital has told me nothing. I have had to ask nurses who give minimal answers. I have never been voluntarily kept informed about anything pertaining to my husband. Except when he became doubly incontinent.
I learned from CH nurse when she was going through his hospital record what Henry's recent/present blood glucose levels were. Good before breakfast, but still highish throughout the day and at bedtime. Not way over the top as before, but still varying across the double figures, the teens. I was disappointed.
Then I learned that despite being told during last month's high glucose crisis that Henry was now insulin dependent for the remainder of his life, he is still being given two diabetic tablets as well as the insulin injections. This shocked me. But I am told damn all.
CH nurse returned and said she was satisfied with everything. Except Henry's diabetes which concerned her. It still is not stable, and may require changes until it is. Not happy about the tablets plus the insulin. Neither am I. Although she did say she had heard of this happening. She also said he has not been that long on insulin, five weeks, and that it can take a while to get it stable, etc.
The other problem is that the hospital consultant (the one I wrote to and later met with) who comes in once a week is in charge of Henry's diabetes, monitoring it, in consultation with a diabetic consultant at our area acute hospital.
In the care home this consultant would no longer be involved. They deal with the residents GPs. Several times she said she was concerned and would have to speak to the care home manager about it.
I asked what happens now? The care home will inform the hospital who will inform me. Ha, Ha!
That is highly unlikely. They will probably inform the Social Worker who will inform me.
I cannot believe this is happening. I do see their point of view. That the care home may well decide Henry is not yet ready to be discharged from the supervision of the hospital consultant because his glucose levels are not yet stable.
The care home is a 24 hour nursing home but obviously they do consult with doctors about such matters. But that would not be the consultant whom Henry is presently with.
But I am FURIOUS that the diabetes problem started soon after surgery in November due to what I consider mismanagement, continued in the second hospital, and I now know also in the present hospital. If they had stepped in and done something when I was *eventually* told during a crisis situation 5 weeks ago that glucose levels had been steadily climbing since Henry was admitted 5 January, and in the twenties for a while, it would surely have been easier to get it back under control before it soared into the 30s. As high as 36. It should be 7-11.
I am angry that when I initially regularly asked about Henry's glucose levels nurses only said "it's fine" or "it's alright". It was not. Asking what the levels actually were did not appear to be acceptable to them.
I am devastated that Henry may now have to remain in the hospital. Doubly so that this would mean he loses this place in the care home where I want him to go. When/if he is ready for discharge it may not be this care home which comes up with the first vacancy. But I would be forced to accept the first one available.
As you can imagine, I am in quite a state of emotions and thoughts. To have one's hopes raised to this point and then dashed......
As I said, I understand if the care home decide that Henry's glucose levels seriously need to be sorted out, stabilized, before they take responsibility for him. I just do not understand the hospital. Are they totally thick?
They must have informed Social Services that Henry was now ready for discharge, hence the SW call on Friday telling me there was a vacancy at the care home of my first choice. But it took a care home nurse to realise that he may well not be ready for discharge. She is the only one in six months who appears to have actually taken this diabetes problem seriously, and to have a good understanding of it.
Although I wonder what would have happened had he been in the care home before the diabetes spiralled out of control. Would they have called in a diabetic specialist, or would they have moved him to hosptial to be supervised by one. Although pointless thinking that now. What is done is done.
Do you wonder that I go on so often about Henry's blood glucose levels.... SIX MONTHS in hospitals, and I blame them for this happening in the first place, and they cannot sort it out. But when does a hospital ever admit to being in the wrong.
There is absolutely nothing I can do concerning the hospitals. As those here who have been in similar situations well know.
Of course it has not yet happened, that the care home has said no. But the CH nurse certainly did underline her concerns. After the initial shock, disbelief, since coming home and thinking about it I accept her concerns are justified. But if my fears are confirmed I am totally gutted.
I have ranted on long enough. I could weep.
Love
Loo xx
