Mom now in Rehab at an ALF after smashing her head and fracturing her public bone. She's not walking well at all.
It's one of the facilities where there are levels, i.e., people pay a lot of money to buy into the place, pay a lot of money to live there while they are well. Then as they get older, there is a rehab facility, memory care, nursing home, hospice.
So, like I said, she's in the REHAB facility where they transferred her from hospital last night. I was looking around the place, I noted that the bed didn't have a rail. I'm thinking, gees, if she gets out of bed tonight, she's just going to fall on the floor.
Talked w/head nurse about this, who told me there's a law stating rails can't be higher than such and such; then she tells me that when people fall out of bed, they get written up! At night, people are stationed between the rooms to stop wanderers, which is all good and well, but my mother isn't even going to get to wander! She's just going to fall, plop, the minute that leg hits the ground!
Is this normal for this type of facility? In MA, rehab has hospital beds with rails! Down here, it looks more like a hotel room!
After my knee was replaced, only the upper rails were up and I used them to get out of bed.
This is exactly why I chose and still do choose to keep mom at home. I would be petrified leaving her basically on her own. Personally, I think it's harder not knowing what's going on in those places than living with it here at home.
I feel for you and your mother. Let's all pray she heals quickly and is able to come home where even though it's crazy hard on you, you know she's in good hands.
She is classified as 'rehab' but this is a facility where there are five layers, i.e., rehab, memory care, nursing home, hospice. Hmmm...that's four layers. Whatever.
Just got report yesterday that her dementia is starting to be noticed by the staff (duh) .... speech therapist called (they all get into the action) and told me she doesn't seem to talk (another duh) ...I realize I should realize people don't know her like I do, but it's annoying the way computerization was supposed to make everything so much better and it seems the answers that go into the original computer turn out to be wrong and there is no way anyone can or is willing to fix it because everything is off site! Yet another issue!
And as I wrote on another subject, I got a lawyer. Things seem to be 'better' now, i.e., she's being watched more diligently which probably isn't 'fair' but someone has to advocate for her and I'm it!
Also was able to get reports that were previously off limits. Attorney said always carry your HCP on you when visiting. That way if anyone gives you a hard time, you produce it and voila! It works.
Got reasons and reports. She's going to see Orthopedist Tuesday. She goes to them so transportation can get into the act. (I'm sorry, I'm a bit down today).
Let's just say I have a feeling she is never coming home. She did win a Bingo Coin. Was excited about that. I went home depressed after hearing her talk to my daughter on the phone. While she sounded 'good. nothing she said was true or correct. And she still sees my son in the hallway and has conversations with him. He's 1300 miles away.
I've come to the conclusion there is nothing anyone can do about age. And it's true, the fall will get you each and every time.
Go figure. :) I'm going to take a nap.
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