My mother was a 99 year old lady who went into the home to be managed with breast cancer, instead the care that she received as appalling. I was there the last 3mths of her life it was the worst thing that i saw and now have post traumatic stress because of it. I am a nurse and was able to ask questions and challenge the staff and this is when it came difficult. Mum develope pressure sores to her heels that i highlighted 2/52 weeks after she got there. I thought that I could protect but unfortunately she died. The social services was involved , CQC , coroners ,police but nothing really was done about the home that should have been closed down . There was more to the case but what was surprising that with all the evidence that i had was omitted from the report .
Having been through this I now understand quite clearly how and why it continues that vulnerable people are coming to harm all the time. What does the CQC do to prevent this from occurring. If we have a regulator what has gone wrong.
The upsetting thing for me is that i had the evidence of very bad practices and even though the Social services said there was neglect that caused mums pressures sores the CQC went in and only concentrated on the medicines ,nothing else. There was a lot of stonewalling ,inaccuracies . It was unbelievable when you are in it and how it works . This was neglect in the fullest form.
I was able to contest the regulators but they all formed a bond to protect the home . Regulators are there to protect and safeguard the individuals . There was another safe guarding issue going on that i found out. There have been 25v concerns raised that i had found out ,but this did not appear to be a concern.
people advised why don't i just get on with my life but the issues is that this could easily happen to their relative or they themselves could end up in a nursing home.
I struggle every day with these vivid pictures of what i saw . yes i have counselling ,seen 5 in total. Did it make a difference ,no really. I am back to work and had to take a year off . Did not want to go back as i felt why should i give 100%care when mum received nothing . I am back to work ,but dont really enjoy as a nurse ,cant wait to retire. However I would like to use my experience to help others
I do believe most are good but many are understaffed so things go by the wayside.
Covid has certainly made things difficult for the staff and residents.
Some homes aren’t good. Years ago my father was in a home for rehab that was shut down by the state. It was a horrible place. Everyone complained! He was in a better nursing home later on.
Other homes are good. It’s terribly unfortunate that all homes do not provide good care.
You have done the right thing by reporting incidents.
You aren’t just seeking justice for your mom but will prevent further damage to other residents.
I filed a report with the nursing home where my mom was for rehab when a nurse double dosed meds for my mom so she wouldn’t have to come back for a second visit to my mom’s room. This was long before Covid.
I called the pharmacy to see if mom was in danger of a double dose of her Parkinson’s meds.
Mom told the LPN that she was giving her twice the amount. She told mom that it wouldn’t hurt her and that way she would not have to make a second trip back. Mom told me about it the next day because she wondered if a double dose could hurt her. She took it because she was afraid to tell the nurse no. Mom didn’t want to argue with the nurse.
The pharmacist told me that it most likely wouldn’t hurt her this time but it would if the nurse kept doing it and she told me to report the incident to the DON and social worker to protect mom and prevent it from happening to others.
The nursing home took care of it. They spoke to the LPN. They were short staffed and mom’s LPN was exhausted.
That’s not a good excuse but at least the LPN admitted that she did it.
In my state cameras are allowed in rooms.
I wish we would have had a camera. I think it would deter certain incidents from happening.
Follow your heart on this. Best wishes to you.
I just want you to know I feel your pain and your not alone. Wishing you peace.
I have seen numerous counsellors including 2 who deal with post traumatic stress that really has not helped ,but thanks for your advice and support.
He says the threat to sue is often effective.
I realize this does not change your personal outcome and I am very sorry for your loss. I mention the above because you feel so strongly that there was inferior care provided and it would be good if some Justice might prevail.
This is such a difficult time to attend grief counseling but perhaps you could consider that in the future.