Why grandma shouldn't go to a nursing home

[leosmommy]

We live across the street from a nursing home. I used to think it seemed like a pretty nice place. Last night my views changed. I was driving home about 11pm. As I am turning onto my street I see this little old lady walking down the sidewalk. Upon closer inspection I realize that she is in pajamas and has no shoes on. The weather here yesterday was nasty, cold and rainy all day, so her clothing was not appropriate. I did not want to just approach her for fear I'd scare her, so I went home, DH and I could see her from our porch, and call the nursing home. THe IDIOT who answers tells us that it is not his problem if a resident gets out and there is nothing he can do about it. WHAT?? Aren't they paid to look out for their residents safety??? So DH decides to go try to talk to her. He catches up to her and slowly approaches her. He is able to strike up some small talk and asks what she is up to. This is so sad :( She says that sometimes she just has to get out of that place ( the nursing home ) DH points out that she has on no shoes and that it's cold, and they head back to the home. When they arrive, the same little moron who answered the phone buzzes them in. DH tells him, I am the guy who just called and this is the lady I called about. The guy just looks at DH and says did you happen to get her name! Are you fucking kidding me. I am going to call thier clinical director on Monday and let that person know what a stellar employee they have working the night shift. :mad:

[Daisy]

:(

[Justicedog]

There is likely an ombudsman that could take complaints about Nursing Homes in the state. You could get their number throught the state department on aging.

[nikkicola]

What a douche. I'm glad you guys were home and able to help her.

[Kristen]

:( I am so glad you were able to help her out, what a sad story.

[leosmommy]

At my work I can find out who thier licensor is and file a referral.

[Amy_G_]

Depending on the type of home they are, the residents may be free to come and go as they wish. some places the residents are still able to drive themselves around, go on walks, visit friends or family, go shopping, etc. kwim?

[Ilovemonkeys]

I spent a year as a candy striper working in a nursing home and it was really bad.

No one cared about any of the patients and as a matter of fact the staff downright hated some of the patients. Esp. the inconinent ones.

The CNA's would hide out in rooms of pts that were comatose and watch soap operas and talk shows. (towards the end of the year the other girl and I took to busting them- finding them or straight out telling on them) The other teen volunteer and I would be calling for help and no one would come. We would have to go out into the hospital or admin offices and find random people to come help us. With everything from lost and confused patients to sick or injured pts.

Once a lady that had severe dementia got her hand stuck in the elevator door and it was purple and she was screaming. The CNAs ignored our pages so I tried to help her while the other girl ran and found help. She finally found a nurse manager and a janitor to help.

There was another patient that was comatose and no one fed him. Everyday they made me sit ice cream or yogurt in his room for his snack, but the man couldn't move.
So one day I asked why no one fed him and they told *me* to feed him. I was 13.

So I tried to feed him, but he couldn't eat well and I was afraid he would choke, so I gave him some water and left. I was so scared. I didn't know what to do.
The man was skin and bones. Looking back I don't why he didn't have a feeding tube?
Maybe they wanted him to die? I don't know. iirc the man didn't even have an IV. Just layed in his bed, in the dark, no tv, day after day. No visitors, no help. Nothing.

Looking back it just pisses me off that 2- 13 year olds were expected to take care of people. I did what I could though.

If you ever have to put someone in a home there needs to be a family member there 24-7.
If you don't have someone there your relative will likely be mistreated and ignored.


Hopefully all homes aren't this way, but this state sponsored one was.