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Being a former CNA who worked in private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and in hospice... Also a daughter whose mom died 5 years ago with advanced dementia... The more you show up at the nursing facility, the more information you can gather. All the healthcare providers tend to stay on their toes when they know that a family member can pop up at any time. They are much more inclined to make sure diapers are changed, your loved one is clean, And that they actually do know what's going on with your loved one.
That being said, caregiving, and all its shapes and forms, is a very heartwarming but difficult occupation for staff and family alike. The information that you will get about your loved one depends on the size of the staff, the size of the nursing facility, and the dedication of the people in charge.
It's helpful when friends or family members can visit a few times a week... Even very briefly... And check to see that their loved one is clean, eating properly, And things look like they're in reasonably good order.
It also gives friends and family members a chance to see what kind of programs are going on And to actually try to be a part of that family. Caregiving for a loved one is a joint process between family members and Care staff.
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Reply to Hrmgrandcna
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Is this a question?

Is your Mom in AL, MC or LTC or hospice?

Are you saying you are hoping for daily reports on your Mom's activities and condition every day by the staff? If so, I don't think this is realistic. Imagine if the staff had to do this for every resident... they'd never get their actual work done.
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Reply to Geaton777
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I can't really even begin to imagine a facility having the time or ability to give a daily report, no. If you have a special concern then call the caregivers in care of your loved one; ask administration best way to do this. And do check with the facility the circumstances under which they will call you to inform you of any problem. Then "no news is good news".
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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At the moment, my mother is at home with a caregiver coming four days a week. The agency has a “family room” website, where the caregiver posts a brief report of how each visit went, what they did, and any concerns. We can log in to see this report after every visit and post replies or comments. This is of course a different setting from a residential facility, but this is very helpful for us kids who live 1000 miles away or more from a parent who absolutely refuses to move. Sigh.
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Reply to RunningOnFumes
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Sorry, but the aides and nursing staff do not have that kind of time to keep family aware of what goes on with a resident on a daily basis. If you want to know how she is doing, call the nurses station in her wing but it may not be appreciated if your doing it every day. I would ask the Nurse at the desk how Mom was doing when I visited.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I know it's difficult from afar but the staff in facilities are not sitting at their computers and on their phones like office workers. They are engaged in hands-out work with needy residents and need to keep their focus there.
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Reply to MG8522
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Hi, I understand the responses that nursing homes are too busy to reach out except for major med changes or an accident, in our case. But I know exactly how it feels not knowing how our loved one is doing, especially when their condition is deteriorating. I go weekly so I’m not a distant caregiver. In my opinion it’s a grievous process to live in a facility. No blame for the facility, it’s just hard on everyone. May peace be yours and your family.
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Reply to Smokeymtn
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My mom's MC facility alerts me anytime mom needs to change meds or has a fall or gets a positive test for an illness. They also called me once to let me know that most residents had a bad virus and I should probably skip a visit that week. Other than that I would have to visit to find out how her day went. The MC also has a Facebook account that posts photos and videos of activities. Mom often tells me she did "nothing" that week, but the videos and photos tell a different story.
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Reply to JustAnon
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Most facilities do not have the time or the staff to prepare daily reports for every single resident in the facility. That could be thousands of reports!
I am sure there are reports done if there was a problem and that is put in the patient portal. (I would hope that POA's would have access to that information)
The best way for you to get information is to visit as often as you can and when you enter the facility greet the receptionist. As you walk down the hall say HI to the person that is cleaning the floor or walking out of another room with a mop bucket. When you get to where mom is greet each staff person you see and ask how their day is. These people are part of your family as well.
If you want to try ..put a Whiteboard up in moms room and you can ask staff if there is anything they think you would like to know they can write it down. Don't expect much. (If you don't expect much you won't be disappointed if that's what you get)
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Reply to Grandma1954
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LibertyAnn: Pose your question to the facility.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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