Hi everyone
My Father (85) broke his hip in mid June, and has been on a "Rehab Ward" ever since. His mobility before the accident was poor, but he refused a walking aid (hence the fall). Physically he is recovering well but we had a terrible meeting to discuss his future where his only participation was to tell us he wanted to die, not go home and not go into res care. He could not be reasoned with so the Community Mental Health nurse was called to re-assess him. She tested him and he scored 21 on the memory test which is great. She tested him for depression - 3 out of 30. Then she mentioned his future care and he was off again and she could not reason with him (and she is excellent so tried everything). The upshot is he is now classed as having reduced mental capacity in this area, so his future care needs need to be directed by the Hospital and us. This is our problem... neither the OT or the nursing staff will be specific on his care needs, I suspect because he is ignoring requests to use his walker which he now needs, and keeps trying to go for a walk as he has always been an active man. He is obvioiusly at risk of falls, hence their reluctance to commit on his care needs, despite the Comm Mental Health Nurse advising us they MUST! Up until his accidient he was living at home with Mum (82). We feel he could come home with a care package, and would be no more at risk there than in Res Care, as with all the will in the world he still won't be watched 24/7 and will be more confused in yet another environment. Has anyone experienced this - he is still on "hip precautions" until mid September so perhaps just a brief period of respite, just to get him out of there might be an idea. I have found a Home Care Agency that specialise in Dementia so we can set up a care package, but it will take time. Yesterday Mum found him in the day before clothes and smelly
, plus they keep loosing all his things - the ward is awful so we want to "spring him" asap. If anyone has experienced this your feedback would be very much appreciated...how to we put them on the spot to commit to his future needs?
My Father (85) broke his hip in mid June, and has been on a "Rehab Ward" ever since. His mobility before the accident was poor, but he refused a walking aid (hence the fall). Physically he is recovering well but we had a terrible meeting to discuss his future where his only participation was to tell us he wanted to die, not go home and not go into res care. He could not be reasoned with so the Community Mental Health nurse was called to re-assess him. She tested him and he scored 21 on the memory test which is great. She tested him for depression - 3 out of 30. Then she mentioned his future care and he was off again and she could not reason with him (and she is excellent so tried everything). The upshot is he is now classed as having reduced mental capacity in this area, so his future care needs need to be directed by the Hospital and us. This is our problem... neither the OT or the nursing staff will be specific on his care needs, I suspect because he is ignoring requests to use his walker which he now needs, and keeps trying to go for a walk as he has always been an active man. He is obvioiusly at risk of falls, hence their reluctance to commit on his care needs, despite the Comm Mental Health Nurse advising us they MUST! Up until his accidient he was living at home with Mum (82). We feel he could come home with a care package, and would be no more at risk there than in Res Care, as with all the will in the world he still won't be watched 24/7 and will be more confused in yet another environment. Has anyone experienced this - he is still on "hip precautions" until mid September so perhaps just a brief period of respite, just to get him out of there might be an idea. I have found a Home Care Agency that specialise in Dementia so we can set up a care package, but it will take time. Yesterday Mum found him in the day before clothes and smelly
, plus they keep loosing all his things - the ward is awful so we want to "spring him" asap. If anyone has experienced this your feedback would be very much appreciated...how to we put them on the spot to commit to his future needs?
