Wandering at night

[StephenPC]

I am in a difficult position as my dads night wanderingd have disturbed other residents so much that the home have insisted on one to one night time care - at and extra charge. I have just been billed for this and it run between £1300 and £1500 per week on top of the care home fees. I hae no idea what to do. Look for another home who might have a different night time set up. But clearly the money will run out soon unless something changes.

any advice welcome

 

[canary]

Yes, look for another home. Many places say that they accept dementia, or even that they specialise in it, but actually they only want the early, easy stages.

My mum was in an EMI home where wandering around was considered par for the course and I suspect that your dad will need this type of home too. Mum was a wanderer, but it was not considered a problem there.
It will be difficult in the present situation, but you can phone places up and ask them how they would deal with it

 

[Louise7]

Welcome to the forum Stephen PC. There's no easy answer to your situation. Presumably the home has tried other options to reduce the disturbance to others? One to one care within care homes is expensive as it usually means that an additional member of staff has to be recruited to cover the additional work. I don't have personal experience so can't comment on whether the amount you have been charged is reasonable or not but others here may be able to advise. The problem with the current lockdown is that many care homes are not taking on new residents but you could maybe start making enquiries with other homes in the area with regards to what their charges would be to provide the level of care that your Dad needs, although they would usually want to assess him for themselves first, which they won't be able to do at the moment. When his money does start reducing towards the upper limit of £24,500 then you would need to contact the local authority for a needs/financial assessment as they would then become responsible for helping with funding of his care fees. Keep posting as there's lots of support here during these particularly difficult times.

 

[StephenPC]

Many thanks for that. Much appreciated. I sometimes think the care home took the easy Option. ?

 

[Izzy]

Welcome to the forum @StephenPC.

I'm sorry to read that you're having these difficulties. I'm glad you have found this forum and know your will get lots of hep and support here.

Keep posting.

 

[lemonbalm]

Hello and welcome

It does seem that you should be looking for another care-home which can cope with the wandering but, in the meantime, do you know whether the current home is looking at ways in which to stop your Dad roaming at night? It could be that a tweak in medication may help which could perhaps avoid your having to move your Dad. Is Dad able to communicate well with the staff? It is possible that he is looking for something which could be put in his room or perhaps there is something familiar from home which would make him feel less restless? A particular piece of furniture (a favourite chair to sit in, for example or a bedside lamp).

Keep us posted on how things are going.

 

[Pete1]

Hi @StephenPC, welcome to the forum. As @canary says it does sound as though your Dad needs and EMI Unit, a care setting that can manage your Dad's wandering as 'business as usual'. I know others on the forum have experienced the same situation (but normally with the care home saying they can't met the needs rather than getting extra support) and have found alternative care provision that is able to deal with the nighttime wandering. I appreciate that the current situation means it is problematic - as suggested by others perhaps make some enquiries so that you are able to move when you are able, in the meantime accepting the current situation if you are happy with the care home in other respects. All the best.

 

[StephenPC]

Dad is a door checker - checking they are locked/ open there is a certain anxiety around door at night we think. the home say they have asked the GP about some medication to help him sleep but GP has said it is not appropriate??