Good thoughts needed

MIL, almost 89 years old, went into the hospital in Tucson for a partial knee replacement on Wednesday. She came through the surgery just fine, but she's been in extreme pain (much more than she'd been told to expect) and then developed difficulty breathing. On top of that, the night nursing staff (day nurses were great) at the rehab center where she was moved has been less than stellar. They don't give her reasons for what they require her to do (changing clothes -- she wanted to wear her own pj's; they insisted on the hospital gown without giving any reason), then gathering in groups in her room and laughing at her. They didn't write down medications she was given (witnessed by DH's sister), and the list goes on. DH is leaving tomorrow to drive down there and try to give her some support (he's not the best at hospital stuff), since his sister has to leave.

We could use some good thoughts, if you have some to spare. It would be nice if the remainder of her stay in rehab could include some basic human kindness and some professional competence.

Thanks!

Reply to
Sandy
Loading thread data ...

that kind of treatment is totally unacceptable for anyone recooperating from surgery, most especially someone of her years. contact the local senior advocate or whoever they are in Tucson. see if they can help asap. laughing at her is humiliating. how disgusting of those who call themselves 'care' givers. that is not careing for her at all. they cant be nursing staff surely? not writing down her meds is a health and safety issue that needs dealing with NOW. i hope your dh arrives sooner than later. omg, i'd be spitting tacks and worse i think. i wonder if you can get any of their bad behaviour on camera and report them to the state medical board. they need to be taken down a few notches for sure. {{{{{{{ to MIL and the rest of you}}}}}}}}}} while sorting out this injustice. j.

"Sandy" wrote... MIL, almost 89 years old, went into the hospital in Tucson for a partial knee replacement on Wednesday. She came through the surgery just fine, but she's been in extreme pain (much more than she'd been told to expect) and then developed difficulty breathing. On top of that, the night nursing staff (day nurses were great) at the rehab center where she was moved has been less than stellar. They don't give her reasons for what they require her to do (changing clothes -- she wanted to wear her own pj's; they insisted on the hospital gown without giving any reason), then gathering in groups in her room and laughing at her. They didn't write down medications she was given (witnessed by DH's sister), and the list goes on. DH is leaving tomorrow to drive down there and try to give her some support (he's not the best at hospital stuff), since his sister has to leave.

We could use some good thoughts, if you have some to spare. It would be nice if the remainder of her stay in rehab could include some basic human kindness and some professional competence.

Thanks!

Reply to
J*

Dial quick--your nearest Ombudsman or council on aging. NOT acceptable at all! Let them know at the hospital you will NOT accept this kind of care for her or anyone. Hugs to you and your MIL. lyn

Reply to
lyn5

Reply to
Taria

Thanks, Taria. Needless to say, this is causing a lot of worry here.

Reply to
Sandy

Thanks, Lyn. The patient advocate has had an earful today from DH's sister and from our two DDs, who can be quite "persuasive" when necessary. I hope that helps.

Reply to
Sandy

Thanks, Jeanne. Our two DDs are very outspoken (I wonder where they get that from?) and have called and made it very clear that there will be different nurses on duty tonight. The humiliation of the laughter is what makes me so angry -- and, of course, the fact that these "nurses" (I hate to call them that, since it reflects so badly on the very *good* nurses that are more prevalent) were so lax about recording what their "care" involved.

Reply to
Sandy

I belive that failure to record the meds could get the facility into big, big trouble if they were inspected.

Reply to
KJ

I believe your DH will surprise you. Even gentle men can be Wild Beasties when it comes to unkindness to their mothers. Do have him make a list of those to ship to me for disposal. With 8,500 gators, we are always eager to tend to incompetent medical 'care'. More than eager for the hateful ones. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

This is horrible to read about. Poor lady - how can 'nurses' *DO* those things. We are hearing more and more reports of awful things that are happening to elderly and old people. My MIL experienced more pain with a knee problem, too. Perhaps they are more sensitive at that age? My MIL is similar in age to yours. I wish 'they' would do more research on the after effects of general anaesthetics. It seems to be such a matter of chance as to what problems you have after one. Hope your MIL's breathing is easier now. Definitely will send you all some good thoughts.

I hope your DH can set a few things straight ... ... . In message , Sandy writes

Reply to
Patti

Good luck to all of you! Back in my distant youth, I spent some time in nursing school and worked one winterbreak at a nursing home/ rehab center that counted among the best in the neighborhood. Having finished all of one semester of training, I was about qualified to give bed baths, change sheets, do rubdowns, etc. The place was very short of professional staff, especially at night. That's why they had to hire the likes of me! Also, lower qualifications = lower pay. They would have had me installing catheters and giving injections if I hadn't refused.

So tell your DH to >MIL, almost 89 years old, went into the hospital in Tucson for a partial

Reply to
Roberta

I do hope the situation improves after the facility is made aware of the treatment your MIL is receiving. That's just uncalled for, and I'm glad she has some advocates on her side! We've been blessed to have my grandpa in a couple of very good facilities, and he's been very happy with the treatment he's received (he's 102 but still would know if he was being treated badly!). Unfortunately, the long-term care center he's been in for two years is closing down as of November 1 due to financial problems (it's in a small-town hospital and losing $500,000 a year), so he's going to have to move. I'm praying they can find some place for him that treats the elderly with the respect they deserve.

Best of luck to you, DH, and your MIL.

Reply to
Louise in Iowa

Thanks for that insight, Roberta. He's on the way already (he left before 5:00 AM), so I'll call him in a little while to tell him what you said.

Reply to
Sandy

Thanks, Pat. It's scandalous how we treat our elderly, isn't it?

Reply to
Sandy

I suspect you're right, Kathyl -- but I also suspect they'll cover it up.

Reply to
Sandy

Thanks, Polly. Tell those gators to whet their appetites ....

Reply to
Sandy

Thanks very much, Louise. The facility is now aware, but who knows whether that will improve her treatment? :( I'm glad to hear that there are good places around, and I hope your grandpa will find himself in an even more caring place when he moves.

Reply to
Sandy

Sandy- Please have your DH talk to the Attending Physician. She could have a blood clot, or worse. Please tell him to also talk to the admistrators regarding the staff they employ. This is deplorable. How "care-givers" can be so cruel and incompetant, is beyond me. I work for a surgeon, I can't imagine he wouldn't be involved in all aspects of a patient's recovery after surgery.

My prayers for your DM's recovery coming her way..and to you and your DH also to have strength.

amy in CNY

Reply to
amy in CNY

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

Louise--In any nursing home or long term care, state regs say they have to have out where all can read the last state survey--what they were written up on and what they did to correct it. Good to read these when looking for a long term care faculity. Good luck

lyn

Reply to
lyn5

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.