Horrible day at work today

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
Hello everyone.Just had the day from hell at work.Well not actually hell but its upset me so much.I don't work in a home for our loved ones with alzheimers or dementia,however the way things are with EMI beds at the moment my manager insists on accommodating people with the above.I don't have a problem with that.My family are waiting for dads diagnosis of Alzheimers,i can understand,react and deal with it.My problem today was that we have a new resident who has extreme behavioural problems(not disclosed by the social worker).They have upset a lot of residents today.Like i said i can deal with it but does anyone think it unfair that people are misplaced like this and that care staff are expected to deal with this without any training.I cried when i came home,not for me but for those with the alzheimers and dementia in unsuitable homes and for the staff who try to care for them.love elainex
 

Kayla

Registered User
May 14, 2006
621
0
Kent
Dear Elaine,
I'm sorry that you had such a had time at work today and it does seem unfair that you have been expected to deal with a situation, which you've not been trained for.
If you belong to a Trade Union, you could perhaps speak to your Union Representative or otherwise tell your Line Manager why you feel so unhappy.
Perhaps you are feeling very stressed at the moment and things seem worse than usual. If you are feeling depressed, then your GP might be able to help.
It would be better to talk to somebody about your worries, than to keep quiet and become ill.
Kayla
 

allylee

Registered User
Feb 28, 2005
180
0
60
west mids
Hi Elaine,

I do sympathise with you and agree that staff in some residential homes struggle to cope with sufferers of AZ/dementia.I also agree with you that you shouldnt be put in that situation and neither should our loved ones.
My mum was "categorised" as requiring residential rather than EMI care in March .She settled well for the first few weeks, but then became very agressive and disruptive, even attacking staff and residents.
My mum has always been a meek, gentile lady , her personality change and behaviour was shocking.
The staff hadnt the resources or training to cope with mum, they called me out many many times to sit with her.She was isolated from everybody else and the staff asked me to stop taking her out as they felt this was making things worse.
Their way of managing her in the end was through heavy sedation. Mum went from being a lady who could still perform basic functions with good mobility and a modicum of quality of life in March to someone who couldnt walk, talk or swallow in July.
I had reservations about EMI homes but visited one and talked to the staff. All of them are either RMNs or have vast Alzheimers/dementia training. I made the decision to move mum and didnt ask the SW , but told her.
Mum has been there a couple of weeks now, they are reducing the sedation slowly, and a light has switched back on in mums eyes.
Im not knocking the staff in the residential home I think they managed mum the best they could in dreadful circumstances.
I felt for you after your awful day Elaine, and thought of the staff who were looking after my mum who must have gone home feeling just the same as you did.
Hope your resident gets the specialist help and support that they need and deserve and I hope you dont get too many more of those terribly upsetting days.
Ally xx
 

Brucie

Registered User
Jan 31, 2004
12,413
0
near London
who has extreme behavioural problems(not disclosed by the social worker).
this happens when the NHS or SS is desperate to rid themselves of someone who is hard to place.

With my wife Jan, she was moved to her present home from an assessment ward, and her bed in that ward was immediately filled so she could not return.

The care home had no idea until I told them, 1 hour after she arrived at the home, that she could not sleep in a bed, required a room with matresses on the floor and required also 1-to-one care, around the clock.

Had they been able to move her back out, they probably would have done so. On thinking about it, finally after 6 years, I am grateful for the NHS for not disclosing Jan's problems, because the care home has been brilliant in responding to the challenge of my wife, having had her dumped on them.

However, Jan did not ever have behavioural problems that would affect other residents.
 

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
Hello everyone
I am not feeling depressed in the slightest.I am annoyed at my manager for putting residents and staff in this situati.The manager gets away with this because she doesn't always go out and assess,and takes the social workers word that they are suitable for residential care.Once these poor people are in the home it becomes quite clear that we cannot meet their needs and the process starts again.criminal in my mind to push old people from pillar to post because nobody will admit their illness.love a bit angry elainex
 

Cliff

Registered User
Jun 29, 2007
777
0
North Wales
Hello Elaineo2,

Have no idea what Homes are like now as I am looking after Dee at home.

But my mother was in a general Council Home in London and I have nothing but praise for the staff who cared for so many types of patients.

It seemed that despite management policies, the goodness of most of the staff shone through.

You seem to be one of those lovely people who really care.

I have nothing but admiration for you and hope you can find satisfaction in your work.

Love from Cliff
 

DeborahBlythe

Registered User
Dec 1, 2006
9,222
0
Contact CSCI?

Hello Elaine,

I'm sorry that this is happening to you and the people with dementia who are admitted to the home. I suggest that you may want to contact your local inspection unit, the Commission for Social Care Inspection. They would be intererested to hear what is going on as the home doesn't sound as if it is meeting its registration requirements. ( It should be registered to look after people with dementia.) You will find their details on www.csci.gov.uk

However, if you contact them, do so as discreetly as possible because you may antagonise your employer if you 'go behind their back' and they find out about it. Kayla's advice about a TU is sound.
Regards Deborah
 

Cate

Registered User
Jul 2, 2006
1,370
0
Newport, Gwent
Hi Elaine

Gosh I really feel for you, what a terrible situation to put you and your colleagues in, and the poor person with dementia. Clearly through no fault of you or your colleagues, with the best will in the world he/she is not going to get the specialised care they deserve, and it must be dreadful for the other residents.

Hopefully the manager will see the error in accepting this person, and suggest that they are moved to a specialist Unit.

Deep breath, soak in the bath, tomorrow is another day.

Cate
 

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
Hi everyone thanks for your support.The CSCI inspector is well aware of the situation,he has been emailed by many staff.We are due an inspection any day.I spoke to my manager this morning about the weekend I have had with the new resident.She said "oh dear"!I didn't have any qualms about ringing the residents S/W without the manger knowing.My priorities lie with all residents and I am in no doubt this situation will be resolved asap.I have also contacted my managers supervisor to let her know whats going on.non to happy was she!Thing is its not the first time this has happened,but with the level of dependency we have now its such a strain on staff,who in turn take their stress out on me.I love my job btheres only so much a very very very placid person can take.love you all.elainex
 

Brucie

Registered User
Jan 31, 2004
12,413
0
near London
Thanks, Sylvia

I'm also working on a more complete set of documentation for using TP.

Here is the section from the draft document that looks at quoting:
 

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elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
feeling rotten

Hello everyone
I feel so rotten at what i have had to do at work today.I finally got through to my manager that a resident needed reassessment of needs as staff are unable and untrained to meet them.She gave in reluctantly then gave me the job of informing the family.(she was going on holiday and was too busy to do it!!!!!!!!!!).Anyway the family concerned are a very loving family.All three of the residents children visit every day,however,they are very reluctant to accept their parent has a problem.So with butterflies in my stomach i spoke to the daughter and explained that we are unable to meet their parents needs and the behaviour she was presenting with.I was taken aback when i got no resistance from her.I think she has been expecting this day to arrive.I do think my manager was a bit insensitive to ask me to do it knowing my father was being assessed for allzheimers today.I got through it professional that i hope i am but feel for the family so much.Love elainex
 

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
I wouldn't mind the money she gets thats for sure. One of our Care team leaders has gone on to manage a home.just wish it was ours!shes superb at her job.
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
elaineo2 said:
I do think my manager was a bit insensitive to ask me to do it knowing my father was being assessed for allzheimers today.

Totally insensitive, and unprofessional too. But a huge compliment.:)

She obviously realised that you were up to the job. Well done.
 

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
0
leigh lancashire
Thanks Skye,I think i did reassure the family that i knew from experience that i know how they must be feeling and told them of my situation.The family did ask me today had i any news on dad which i felt touched by as they have their own parent to worry about.I told them what had happened and they wished me and my family well.Such a loving caring family that think of others is wonderful.I have known them for 4 years and felt that i could tell them my situation to try to help with theirs.still a sad sad situation as elton would sing but residents needs come first in my eyes and i will do what i have to to get them the right care,care they deserve.love elainex
 

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