Just stay calm and make it through today without hurting anyone. That's my goal.

Dad really seemed to be enjoying his stay at the NH. He liked having other old folks to talk to. I was just... somehow a little uncomfortable with the place. So of course I just popped in and out unannounced for the first few days. Never saw anything wrong, but it still felt wrong. They lock the outside doors from 9pm to 5am, so you can't get in to surprise them. For some reason this didn't sit well. I decided to just wander off to the closed diningroom about 8pm and hide out. Honey loves me, so our date turned into a spy session.

Night shift comes in at 11pm. By 11:35 I start hearing bed alarms, call lights all over the floor, so I head for Dad's hallway. From the end of the hallway I can hear him yelling "Help me". I run to his room and he has half fallen out of bed. Caught his PICC line in the railing, and pulled it out. There is blood everywhere. We get him in bed, get pressure on his arm, I go to find a nurse.

Me: Didn't you hear him yelling help?

Her: All the dementia patients do that. He was told to use the call button if it was really important.

Me: (Deep breath) Call 911, call your supervisor. NOW.

She: Let me look at him first, 911 probably isn't necessary.

After that it got really ugly. I ended up calling 911 to take Dad to the ER, even though the nurse with the death wish kept trying to tell me we couldn't transport him without permission from the administrators. They got him to the hospital, his BP has bottomed out, cardiac rythmn is bad. What a mess. Ended up needing 3 units of blood hung, is still on IV fluids, can't stand or sit without a LOT of assistance.

To top it all off, when they undressed him at the ER I found he was still wearing the same underwear and socks from when he had been admitted four days earlier. They only changed his outer clothes.

Obviously we are pursuing legal action against the nursing home. One of the evening CNAs contacted me and had quite a bit to say about standards of care when relatives aren't there. She's now talking to our lawyer.

Among other things, it seems that Dad's IV antibiotics were not given at night. The infection has now spread into the fluid around the brain. He is having seizures, heart problems, and speaks in sounds... it's like he knows what he wants to say, but doesn't have the words. So he says "byork ca stuuf" over and over and I'm supposed to figure out what it means.

The doctors aren't able to tell me anything at this point. They've done CT scans, MRI, lumbar puncture, all kinds of tests, but no definitive answers yet.

So I'm thinking that I'm coping and it's got to get better. Then my selfish miserable brother (the one who left Dad alone, talked him into signing over his house, etc.) calls me today to say he'll be here this afternoon because he needs to see Dad. He read my daughter's online journal and found out Dad was in the hospital, and he wants to visit him one last time. And oh, while he's here, he needs $800 for property taxes that Dad promised to pay, so could I have that ready in cash?

We are off to the hospital now. Brother will find that he is not on the visitor list. Nor is he getting another damned dime of Dad's money, or mine, or anyone elses. I hope he takes that news well, but if not, I'm pretty sure that any jury in the country would find me not guilty at this point.

And while I'm complaining, my cat is in heat. I had scheduled an appointment to spay her on Thursday! I'm sure ready for Murphy to take his law and go hang out with someone else for a few days.

Jo O

schneijk, Someone like your self looking into the elder care possibilities is very welcome here.

You do realize that this post is a year old?

http://eldercare.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/40210104...741003114#7741003114
A new topic by Jo O. Close to a year old.

One of the real values of older existing posts is the chance to read the follow ups. Should Jo O check back in, I extend my thanks for the reports.

Welcome in scheijk.

schneijk welcome in Glad to have you. In some respects if they are lucid enough they can feel like their in a jail but for the most part if these residents are in a "Lock Down Ward" it is for their own safety they tend to wander in a confused state and can get into some really bad predicaments.
My own MIL tried to wander in 40 degree weather here and one of the main reasons she is in a Board and Care facility right now.
I am also a student at the moment working in a NH that is open (no locked doors) but all Geri Chairs and some wheelchairs have a sensor that sets alarms off if they get within 10 feet of the door.
As time goes on and you get to know your residents a little more you'll find out they will try to get to that door they just dont realize what they are doing anymore and that its not safe for them, give yourself some time you'll see what I mean.
I dont know what the ratio is of CNA's to residents in your facility but if its anything like ours its 8 residents to one CNA. Trust me you will be grateful for those doors in the long run

I'm currently a nursing student, learning how to care for the elderly. The nursing home that we are currently doing rotations at has as Alz. unit, the doors to and from the unit are locked at all times. An alarm will sound within 15 seconds of any door opening, ensuring the residents safety. I have been told the reason for the door locking is due to security and safety for the residents. However, I can see where residetns mey feel that they are "in jail."

(((Jo))) My thoughts and prayers and with you and your Dad. This neglect is so horrible. Thank goodness you chose the night you did to stay and were there to see he was taken to the hospital. I hope they get what they deserve for this total disreguard for patients. It is so sad that this type of experience has to happen to anyone. I hope that at least a stop is put to this neglect. Here's praying that your Dad responds to treatment and has some quality time at home. How you kept your cool I don't know. Gypsy

quote:

Originally posted by Jo O: Then my selfish miserable brother (the one who left Dad alone, talked him into signing over his house, etc.) calls me today to say he'll be here this afternoon because he needs to see Dad. He read my daughter's online journal and found out Dad was in the hospital, and he wants to visit him one last time. And oh, while he's here, he needs $800 for property taxes that Dad promised to pay, so could I have that ready in cash?
Jo O

Tell your lawyer about this Jo if this was done in the midst of this he had no right to do this! And he really doesnt have a right to ask for this money at this moment either!!!!! SHAME ON HIM!
I swear Im gonna EWWW!

Jo as to everything else that happend here I wish you the best and BTW GREAT detective work here!!!
NAIL THEM!
Your in my prayers

quote:

They lock the outside doors from 9pm to 5am, so you can't get in to surprise them.

Oh JO!! What an AGONIZING experience!

As for the lockdown hours, that's SOP security - both for patients and staff. It is the same at our hospital here as well as the extended care facility nearby. At the hospital, we have to enter through the ER if we need to be there after hours. Now if they do not allow ANYONE during those hours, that's another story altogether. With the experience you have had, I can see why you might think it's to ward off pop-in visitation... If there is absolutely no admittance, I think that IS a cause for concern. I understand the need for security but there should be some way for folks to be "buzzed in" during the off-hours.

I am sooooo sorry that your dad has been subjected to this obvious neglect. I hope that your legal action succeeds not only in forcing them to pay damages for their malpractice but also forces CHANGES in that facility or its closure!

Personally, I don't know HOW you did not do something that would have resulted in a felony charge... I am afraid someone would have been injured at my hands if I had been in your shoes! You did VERY WELL to have remained as calm as you did and demanding help for him... Bless your entire heart!! I hope they burn in hell... if this is how they treat a person newly admitted, how the heck are they treating the folks who have been there for a long time?!!! And that utter SHIT about showing people the call button... I don't care HOW many times one shows my mom how to use the call button, nor how "with it" she seems when shown, she never remembers and is helpless. For a facility to assume that a patient can use a call button appropriately simply because they have been shown how is absolute IDIOCY of the HIGHEST caliber and DEMONSTRATES how little they understand about folks with brain dysfunction! I think the owners/operators and administrators should all be shot and the facility bulldozed.

Will keep your dad in my prayers. Hang in there, sweetie! Sending prayers and energy for you, too! PLEASE keep us updated on this sorry situation...