Finally threw in the towel and had my mother admitted to p-g ward on Monday. She had been utterly miserable and confused, with hardly any sleep, for the previous 3 days.
On Monday and y'day I had a much better feel about the ward than on the previous admisssion - smiling staff, actually going about nursing, mother less distressed and pretty coherent if a bit sad.
In an effort to show confidence in the nurses I refrained from phoning to see how she was getting on y'day evening or this morning.
Today 3.30pm - bl**dy awful. Nurses all in goldfish bowl, auxiliaries pretty low-grade (one or two smiley it must be said).
Mother wearing pyjama trousers - result of food all over skirt - never happens at home if carefully helped to eat. More seriously, helped her to the loo - found her NOT wearing Tena pants I had delivered, but strapped up variety put on WAY too tight, tights twisted, small cut on hand.
No comment from nurses on how cut happened, but mother said she "had had a fight last night".
I asked for a time to be de-briefed following ward round, told everyone was very busy and I might get a call from a doctor (wow) or even an offer of a real meeting (super-wow) to discuss. I'm afraid I got pretty snappish - just short, no loss of temper, but not very helpful.
The plan was for a short stay, followed by a short respite stay in care home, but the lack of communication makes me so frightened that they will keep her on and on, condition slipping away all the time.
I want her home - but I need some rest first and I'm not going to get that while she is miserable and badly looked after and I am not properly kept in the loop.
Will try to speak to sympathetic SW tomorrow, but I know she has a very busy day.
B****r it all. Advice please.
On Monday and y'day I had a much better feel about the ward than on the previous admisssion - smiling staff, actually going about nursing, mother less distressed and pretty coherent if a bit sad.
In an effort to show confidence in the nurses I refrained from phoning to see how she was getting on y'day evening or this morning.
Today 3.30pm - bl**dy awful. Nurses all in goldfish bowl, auxiliaries pretty low-grade (one or two smiley it must be said).
Mother wearing pyjama trousers - result of food all over skirt - never happens at home if carefully helped to eat. More seriously, helped her to the loo - found her NOT wearing Tena pants I had delivered, but strapped up variety put on WAY too tight, tights twisted, small cut on hand.
No comment from nurses on how cut happened, but mother said she "had had a fight last night".
I asked for a time to be de-briefed following ward round, told everyone was very busy and I might get a call from a doctor (wow) or even an offer of a real meeting (super-wow) to discuss. I'm afraid I got pretty snappish - just short, no loss of temper, but not very helpful.
The plan was for a short stay, followed by a short respite stay in care home, but the lack of communication makes me so frightened that they will keep her on and on, condition slipping away all the time.
I want her home - but I need some rest first and I'm not going to get that while she is miserable and badly looked after and I am not properly kept in the loop.
Will try to speak to sympathetic SW tomorrow, but I know she has a very busy day.
B****r it all. Advice please.
