Suppose I see someone with a health concern that doesn't appear to be getting adequate attention, in fact it has become alarming worse. I don't know his mental status but I think there is some level of cognitive impairment. I don't know if he has someone to advocate for him or if his advocate is fully aware of circumstances. I fully acknowledge I don't have all the facts, I only know what I see right in front of me. I know (at least I'm fairly certain) that if I speak I will be patronized and told it isn't my concern. It is hard for me to sit on my hands when I would be raising hε!! if it were my mother. What would you do?
That was a good thing, imo.
You obviously care, and everyone that knows you realizes your concerns are valid.
So, for you, I would recommend the report to the NH Ombudsman.
If it were me, I would speak direct to the patient, find out more.....even if the staff told me not to.
When visiting a rehab, a patient was calling out, distressed, "I'm hungry". I looked over (3 beds in this room, separated by a curtain), as the patient I was visiting shook her head "No" at me.
I told the lady that someone would be coming shortly, and that I would tell the staff. The patient crying out stopped, and rested. And as I left, I did tell a staff member.
What, as compassionate humans, we should no longer speak to others?
f r e e. s p e e c h i n. A m e r i c a ..
I know you will be doing the right thing.
I spoke with a friend who works there, she feels the same way as I do. BUT his family is aware therefore it is up to them - so there is nothing more that can be done. (I wish I could get the family and doc together and bang some heads)
There was an LVN that was working to get her RN at Mom’s NH. When Mom went into NH We hit it off. She really did love my Mom.
She was moved to another wing to care for more medically compromised patients. But everyday she worked she checked on my Mom even though she no longer worked on Mom’s wing. She let me know if there was ever any concerns that weren’t being addressed with Mom.
I did track her down a couple of times and fill her in on a couple of situations on my Moms wing that didn’t concern my Mom but other residents welfare I guess you could say.
The Director of Nursing was unapproachable and just nasty if you could ever find or reach her. She disappeared and a new awesome DON came on board Moms last 6 months alive. I would not have hesitated to talk to her about anything I saw.
You just can’t “unsee” some things you witness in NHs. Especially if the patients don’t have regular visitors. I’m sure you are there often enough to know which patients around your Mom have no Advocates.
Not that it’s you job to become their Advocate but if you see something unsettling you should be able to mention it to a staff member you feel close to or an ombudsman.
You have a big heart!
I'd definitely let someone know - maybe not DON but whichever nurse you've built a relationship with or if not then the social worker
Sadly, I've seen situations go way beyond any reasonable sense and I know others who visit daily have spoken up too
Caregivers aren't always knowledge and will get folks up after a fall even if there's a broken bone involved
If there's no response or the situation deteriorates then an anonymous call to the ombudsman ?