Mom was send to the Dr.by transportation the facilty provide. Her apt. was for 1pm. I arrive at 12:45 and my mother was in the office by herself, the office was out to lunch. Then I notice my mother had no coat on, I ask her what happen to her coat and she stated they where rushing her. My mother already has a cold. they left a card with my mom to call transportation when she was ready to come back. My mom has dementia and a behavior problem. I call the faclity while i was at the dr. office and spoken to the nurse that send her out and told her my mother was send out without a coat, and she stated i am sorry. After the apt. I and my daughter took her back in my car to the facilty and made a complaint to the DON. And was told he would let the unit manager handle it. I really feel that nothing is could to took place. How should i handle this. Is this call elderly neglect.
People with dementia should never be sent out on their own, in my opinion. But my opinion and what the NH is set up to do may not always match.
I remember whenever I needed to take Dad, who at the time didn't have dementia just old age decline, to a doctor appointment it was a struggle to get him there on time.... we'd be halfway out the door and he would need his wallet and the scavenger hunt would begin only to find the wallet in a pair of pants in the hamper.... then Dad would want a certain pair of eyeglasses to wear, again another search... then his cane was missing so instant replay of the scavenge hunt.... etc.
I met the ambulance there and stayed with him the whole time.. He was on a gurney and couldn't walk..
We trust these homes to care for our loved ones and understand their health issues..
Imagine being another patient sitting in the waiting room and seeing this poor women sitting there in a wheelchair without a coat.. And being who we are, we would know she had Dementia... So heartbreaking...
If it was my Mom I would have been a raving lunatic..
A sister and I met our mother at an appointment. She, too, had a number to call when she was done. The NH knew we would be there, and also the office was used to this procedure so they took the card from her and made the call for her. But except for us daughters there was no one around at first to help Mother. But what if we had been delayed and weren't there to meet her? She would really have been upset all alone in a large reception lobby.
I think you've handled this as you should. You've made your complaint. Unless it happens again, assume the word has been passed along appropriately. If it does happen again, report it to the ombudsman.