Dear Taffy, it must be so hard for you to see your mum so poorly. I hope they manage to get her eating properly again, aspiration is so worrying.
Thinking of you,
Love,
Thinking of you,
Love,
Very Disappointed.
- Thread starter Taffy
- Start date
Thank you, for all the support I spoke with the Dr today, and he was surprised to see mum improving. She is resilient! Mum will be assessed by the rehab specialist to determine if her mobility can be improved.
Mum's diet has been changed to minced foods and she is managing to swallow better. Fluids are a bit of a problem and they are waiting on the speech pathologist to reassess her.
Yesterday and today I felt that mum looked like she had being sedated and I asked the Dr and he replied only when necessary apparently they have to sedate her at night time. On the medicine chart handed to the ambulance drivers by the care home no sedation medication had being written up.
When I returned to the home to collect some things for mum the RN had told me when she heard that mum had fallen.... she ran around (her words) to check on how much medication mum had being given, and she was only given 1mg in 36 hrs. I told her this is not true I was present when you broke a 5mg tablet in halves and gave her half (2.5mg) and that on the next day.... Thursday.... the carer had given her another half a tablet. I repeated to her the conversation we had...because I was wary about the dose and reminded her that she had assured me it was a very low dose. Mum has only needed the serenace medication once prior to going into the care home, it was in liquid form, dosage 1/4 of a mil and she was to have it for three days only.
After speaking today with the specialist mum should of being given no more than 0.5mg a day.... she received 2.5mg she was overdosed. I know of mum having at least two tablets. But did she receive more as only one 1mg is written up. All I can do now is wait and see the outcome of all the assessments to find out if mum's level of care has changed.
This whole care home saga only goes from bad to worse, the worse part now is knowing the RN is going to deny she gave the wrong dosage and there will be a cover up. My brain is in overdrive trying to plan the best route for mum it seems to consume my thoughts night and day, God forbid she has to go back there.
Thanks for reading my woes, love Taffy.
Mum's diet has been changed to minced foods and she is managing to swallow better. Fluids are a bit of a problem and they are waiting on the speech pathologist to reassess her.
Yesterday and today I felt that mum looked like she had being sedated and I asked the Dr and he replied only when necessary apparently they have to sedate her at night time. On the medicine chart handed to the ambulance drivers by the care home no sedation medication had being written up.
When I returned to the home to collect some things for mum the RN had told me when she heard that mum had fallen.... she ran around (her words) to check on how much medication mum had being given, and she was only given 1mg in 36 hrs. I told her this is not true I was present when you broke a 5mg tablet in halves and gave her half (2.5mg) and that on the next day.... Thursday.... the carer had given her another half a tablet. I repeated to her the conversation we had...because I was wary about the dose and reminded her that she had assured me it was a very low dose. Mum has only needed the serenace medication once prior to going into the care home, it was in liquid form, dosage 1/4 of a mil and she was to have it for three days only.
After speaking today with the specialist mum should of being given no more than 0.5mg a day.... she received 2.5mg she was overdosed. I know of mum having at least two tablets. But did she receive more as only one 1mg is written up. All I can do now is wait and see the outcome of all the assessments to find out if mum's level of care has changed.
This whole care home saga only goes from bad to worse, the worse part now is knowing the RN is going to deny she gave the wrong dosage and there will be a cover up. My brain is in overdrive trying to plan the best route for mum it seems to consume my thoughts night and day, God forbid she has to go back there.
Thanks for reading my woes, love Taffy.
I can only say Taffy that it`s a good job you are on the ball. The thought of medication being given and not recorded sends shivers down my spine. I would have thought every milligram of these drugs would have to be accounted for. Apparently not.
I hope you get some alternative provision for your mother.
Love xx
I hope you get some alternative provision for your mother.
Love xx
Hi Taffy
I am so sorry to hear of your mum's plight. I have just had to change nursing homes for ny husband ...he too was complaining of the treatment in the NH saying that the other residents didn't like him some carer's were mocking him. Because of the Alzheimer's I did not really believe him....this is where the disease is so dreadful because the patient will say outragous things the tendancy is that then everything they say is not taken seriously. He use to complain that a senior member of staff would shout at him and tell him off ,this person was extremely nice to me and always seemed very concerned about my husband. I was there one evening when another resident was sundowning and being difficult when this nurse really shouted at
them upsetting the resident and other residents that were nearby , the nurse was quite taken aback when she noticed I was there. I was called to the NH on two occasions because my husband had got very aggressive and they couldn't calm him down
and on both occasions he claimed that the staff and residents were all against him. I have now moved him and in doing so I have made it quite clear to the new NH what care he needs.Lets hope this works out ok. I would suggest that if your mum gets strong enough to come out of hospital you start looking for another NH. Judith
I am so sorry to hear of your mum's plight. I have just had to change nursing homes for ny husband ...he too was complaining of the treatment in the NH saying that the other residents didn't like him some carer's were mocking him. Because of the Alzheimer's I did not really believe him....this is where the disease is so dreadful because the patient will say outragous things the tendancy is that then everything they say is not taken seriously. He use to complain that a senior member of staff would shout at him and tell him off ,this person was extremely nice to me and always seemed very concerned about my husband. I was there one evening when another resident was sundowning and being difficult when this nurse really shouted at
them upsetting the resident and other residents that were nearby , the nurse was quite taken aback when she noticed I was there. I was called to the NH on two occasions because my husband had got very aggressive and they couldn't calm him down
and on both occasions he claimed that the staff and residents were all against him. I have now moved him and in doing so I have made it quite clear to the new NH what care he needs.Lets hope this works out ok. I would suggest that if your mum gets strong enough to come out of hospital you start looking for another NH. Judith
Grannie G said:
Dear Sylvia,
The medication is certainly a worry and my concerns have being noted by the Dr's it's a concern also to them. One of the teams geriatricians came around to see mum today and has ordered a bladder scan. Later today they are arranging a mini mental to compare it with the last one done in 2006, she scored 6/30 back then....and the assessment by rehab should be soon. I am really pleased about these assessments because if her needs are high care I can start looking into high care facilities and if it's low care then I can just continue looking for alternative accommodation.
Mum's mobility is improving she still has to have someone present when she drinks fluids but her eating, provided it's a minced diet seems to go down OK....they tried bread to see how she went but she gagged on that.
In general mum now appears calm and is compliant with the staff she depends on them to help her move about. When I ask her how she is feeling she replies, something doesn't feel right but is unable to explain further. I don't know if she is having tingling sensations in her head as she scratches her head and says something is crawling around in there. Not being able to express makes the Dr's job so difficult! love Taffy.
Dear Judith,
Thanks for your reply and I hope that everything goes well with your husband at his new care home. I now have to wait for a assessment on what level of care mum will need this all rests with her mobility and there has been a improvement.
I told the Dr today that mum struggled in the low care now and needed supervision with personal care and this wasn't always available to her and he is putting me in touch with the social worker who will discuss my concerns.
I have already looked at four low care hostels and will place mum on the waiting list if she is assessed low care. The nurses looking after mum feel she should be high care now. The home mum is in.... do have high care beds. I'm not at all comfortable about the idea of mum going back to the care home and if she has too it will only be until a placement comes up elsewhere. Best Wishes, Taffy.
Thanks for your reply and I hope that everything goes well with your husband at his new care home. I now have to wait for a assessment on what level of care mum will need this all rests with her mobility and there has been a improvement.
I told the Dr today that mum struggled in the low care now and needed supervision with personal care and this wasn't always available to her and he is putting me in touch with the social worker who will discuss my concerns.
I have already looked at four low care hostels and will place mum on the waiting list if she is assessed low care. The nurses looking after mum feel she should be high care now. The home mum is in.... do have high care beds. I'm not at all comfortable about the idea of mum going back to the care home and if she has too it will only be until a placement comes up elsewhere. Best Wishes, Taffy.
Dear Taffy, can only say how very sorry I am to read your thread.
You are a very caring lady - it shows through your words - and you must also be a very tough lady to keep going so well.
Best wishes and love,
You are a very caring lady - it shows through your words - and you must also be a very tough lady to keep going so well.
Best wishes and love,
Hi Cliff,
If you seen me this afternoon you wouldn't think I was tough. I have being looking into other care facilities and every corner I turn I run into a brick wall.
In a nutshell mum posted a bond to enter the care facility albeit a small one as dad still lives at their home. Mum now can't be accepted as a non bonded resident elsewhere, nor can another facility ask for a higher bond....and no facility wants to accept a small bond when they can take someone else who can post a higher bond.
The mind boggles even if dad was to go into care they can only ask for his share of the house and the other share goes to mum....which the care facility can't ask for....the woman explained what I need to do to get around this....I have to bring mum home for 28days then if dad is still living at home make sure their assets not counting the house are only $33,000.00 each.... this way mum can be accepted as a non bonded resident. If dad was no longer in the house and it was sold she can post a bond as long as she has been away from residential care for 28 days.
Imagine bringing mum home for a month and then waiting for a vacancy on top of that....and then placing her all over again, how cruel no way I could do that....
The homes that would accept her with the small bond are the same as where she already is. Mum is slowing improving but said that her head isn't feeling good and sometimes it is really painful. Heavens knows what is going to happen....thanks for your support. Love Taffy.
If you seen me this afternoon you wouldn't think I was tough. I have being looking into other care facilities and every corner I turn I run into a brick wall.
In a nutshell mum posted a bond to enter the care facility albeit a small one as dad still lives at their home. Mum now can't be accepted as a non bonded resident elsewhere, nor can another facility ask for a higher bond....and no facility wants to accept a small bond when they can take someone else who can post a higher bond.
The mind boggles even if dad was to go into care they can only ask for his share of the house and the other share goes to mum....which the care facility can't ask for....the woman explained what I need to do to get around this....I have to bring mum home for 28days then if dad is still living at home make sure their assets not counting the house are only $33,000.00 each.... this way mum can be accepted as a non bonded resident. If dad was no longer in the house and it was sold she can post a bond as long as she has been away from residential care for 28 days.
Imagine bringing mum home for a month and then waiting for a vacancy on top of that....and then placing her all over again, how cruel no way I could do that....
The homes that would accept her with the small bond are the same as where she already is. Mum is slowing improving but said that her head isn't feeling good and sometimes it is really painful. Heavens knows what is going to happen....thanks for your support. Love Taffy.
Dear Taffy,
I thought our system was difficult enough, but yours............
Very, very sorry for your added worries.
Will be thinking of you,
Love,
I thought our system was difficult enough, but yours............
Very, very sorry for your added worries.
Will be thinking of you,
Love,
Up-date
Firstly, thanks Hazel and Cliff for your caring thoughts.
Friday it was decided mum will be returned to the care home on Monday. The nursing unit manager called a meeting with me already knowing that it was my intentions to find other accommodation for mum. She was very sincere and caring and advised me to leave mum at her current home because the home will need to have mum reassessed for higher care to obtain more fees for her. She feels that it will only be a matter of time before mum needs Nursing Home care.
My family urged me to take her advice and after this morning when seeing mum I have decided to follow her advice. Mum is not at all well the nurses were very worried about her they suspect she had a TIA this morning and to a lesser degree yesterday also. Mum eventually rallied out of it but what lays ahead is anyone's guess. One thing for certain she is not suitable for low care. The present home have accepted to have mum back they do have high care beds and as soon as they have mum reassessed high care I can request a assessment and with this I can look for high care placement. I have found a place that will accept mum and it comes with good recommendation it is just a matter of waiting for a vacancy.
On top of all this dad was taken to hospital by ambulance....severe stomach pain and dehydrated they are thinking it was possibly caused by new medication and I'm hoping he may come home Monday.
When you think that things couldn't get any worse they do. I hope that each and everyone of you are coping OK. Love Taffy.
Firstly, thanks Hazel and Cliff for your caring thoughts.
Friday it was decided mum will be returned to the care home on Monday. The nursing unit manager called a meeting with me already knowing that it was my intentions to find other accommodation for mum. She was very sincere and caring and advised me to leave mum at her current home because the home will need to have mum reassessed for higher care to obtain more fees for her. She feels that it will only be a matter of time before mum needs Nursing Home care.
My family urged me to take her advice and after this morning when seeing mum I have decided to follow her advice. Mum is not at all well the nurses were very worried about her they suspect she had a TIA this morning and to a lesser degree yesterday also. Mum eventually rallied out of it but what lays ahead is anyone's guess. One thing for certain she is not suitable for low care. The present home have accepted to have mum back they do have high care beds and as soon as they have mum reassessed high care I can request a assessment and with this I can look for high care placement. I have found a place that will accept mum and it comes with good recommendation it is just a matter of waiting for a vacancy.
On top of all this dad was taken to hospital by ambulance....severe stomach pain and dehydrated they are thinking it was possibly caused by new medication and I'm hoping he may come home Monday.
When you think that things couldn't get any worse they do. I hope that each and everyone of you are coping OK. Love Taffy.
Dear Taffy, you have so much to cope with at present. I do hope your mum is OK in the NH, and you can get her reassessed quickly. I certainly sounds as if she needs nursing care.
I hope your dad also recovers quickly, it must be such a worry for you, having to think what's best for them both.
Thinking of you,
Love,
I hope your dad also recovers quickly, it must be such a worry for you, having to think what's best for them both.
Thinking of you,
Love,
Dear Taffy,
My thoughts are with you and I do hope that you are soon about to have some positive news regarding your parents.
Love from
Christine
My thoughts are with you and I do hope that you are soon about to have some positive news regarding your parents.
Love from
Christine
Thanks, Hazel Sylvia & Christine.
Dad wont be home Monday he is now nil by mouth and still on the drip. It's not the medication as first thought dad will be put under the gastroenterologist on Monday anything swallowed even a mouthful of water brings on severe chest pain they are thinking pancreatitis? oesophagus problems?
Mum fell this morning the nurse found her on the floor she told the nurse that she had to chase the kids away as they were hurting her dog. Mum hurt her head and shoulder again.
It's like a storm and all you can do is ride it out. I do appreciate your support. Love Taffy.
Dad wont be home Monday he is now nil by mouth and still on the drip. It's not the medication as first thought dad will be put under the gastroenterologist on Monday anything swallowed even a mouthful of water brings on severe chest pain they are thinking pancreatitis? oesophagus problems?
Mum fell this morning the nurse found her on the floor she told the nurse that she had to chase the kids away as they were hurting her dog. Mum hurt her head and shoulder again.
It's like a storm and all you can do is ride it out. I do appreciate your support. Love Taffy.
Dear Taffy
It seems that things are going from bad to worse for you, and it must be so difficult to stay strong.
Thank you for having the courage to post updates for us, we're so many of us concerned for you.
I hope you have the strength to 'ride it out', there really isn't anything else you can do.
Please keep us posted,
Love and hugs,
It seems that things are going from bad to worse for you, and it must be so difficult to stay strong.
Thank you for having the courage to post updates for us, we're so many of us concerned for you.
I hope you have the strength to 'ride it out', there really isn't anything else you can do.
Please keep us posted,
Love and hugs,
Yes, that's true and you've proved it.
Hope you have better news this week of your Mum and Dad, you all deserve it.
We've had a number of programmes about Australia recently and each time my mind flashes to you and your problems. Now with the internet, you are very close to us.
Love to you Taffy, and your Mum and Dad .
Further Up Date
Thanks everyone for your support it is very much appreciated.
Mum returned to the home on Monday and was pleased to be back there, which was a relief as I thought she may have forgotten it, then when I called again Tuesday morning she said, I don't think this is my home is it? At least she was content with another of my whoppers.
Wednesday she wasn't well she was sitting with her toiletry bag in the lounge area thinking I was calling to take her home I took her into her room away from the others and explained again she had to stay a little while longer. When I opened the toiletry bag she had been sick in a plastic cup and put it into the bag....so clueless that day.
Today, she was alot better but she is a worry when she gets out of the chair...she is a accident waiting to happen...she leans to far forward.
Dad is now in CCU if the happenings with him were not fact it would make a good script for a 'Carry On' movie.
Dad had a mild heart attack things seem to be functioning better with his heart now. This attack in the wisdom of the staff was thought to be alcohol withdrawal dad hasn't had a drink in over 30 years.
Because of his swallowing problems which has not being addressed yet...all his medication was stopped. Monday evening dad became quite distressed confused fought like a banshee....torn the skin on his already fragile legs and arms.
Tuesday when I arrived I told them dad didn't drink it wasn't alcohol withdrawal and he needed to see a Dr... NOW! A doctor came it was all panic and dad was sent to CCU.
Today a surgeon was called to inspect the damage to his leg....he dressed the leg hoping to stem the bleeding. The anti clotting agent isn't helping as far as the bleeding goes.
Tomorrow, it will be a week since he was admitted as soon as the blood Dr and heart specialist are happy with him...he will be seen by a gastroenterology team. My opinion probably his heart all along.
The hospital are querying dad's ability to return home.... if he gets over all this it will be some feat. Love and best wishes to you all. Taffy.
Thanks everyone for your support it is very much appreciated.
Mum returned to the home on Monday and was pleased to be back there, which was a relief as I thought she may have forgotten it, then when I called again Tuesday morning she said, I don't think this is my home is it? At least she was content with another of my whoppers.
Wednesday she wasn't well she was sitting with her toiletry bag in the lounge area thinking I was calling to take her home I took her into her room away from the others and explained again she had to stay a little while longer. When I opened the toiletry bag she had been sick in a plastic cup and put it into the bag....so clueless that day.
Today, she was alot better but she is a worry when she gets out of the chair...she is a accident waiting to happen...she leans to far forward.
Dad is now in CCU if the happenings with him were not fact it would make a good script for a 'Carry On' movie.
Dad had a mild heart attack things seem to be functioning better with his heart now. This attack in the wisdom of the staff was thought to be alcohol withdrawal dad hasn't had a drink in over 30 years.
Because of his swallowing problems which has not being addressed yet...all his medication was stopped. Monday evening dad became quite distressed confused fought like a banshee....torn the skin on his already fragile legs and arms.
Tuesday when I arrived I told them dad didn't drink it wasn't alcohol withdrawal and he needed to see a Dr... NOW! A doctor came it was all panic and dad was sent to CCU.
Today a surgeon was called to inspect the damage to his leg....he dressed the leg hoping to stem the bleeding. The anti clotting agent isn't helping as far as the bleeding goes.
Tomorrow, it will be a week since he was admitted as soon as the blood Dr and heart specialist are happy with him...he will be seen by a gastroenterology team. My opinion probably his heart all along.
The hospital are querying dad's ability to return home.... if he gets over all this it will be some feat. Love and best wishes to you all. Taffy.
