How can I address concerns at the NH without coming across like a witch?
My sister expressed some concern that my encounters with the Nursing Home staff are going to have them running for cover. I honestly don't set out to be confrontational, but it seems like every time I have a question instead of a simple reply I get some variation on "this is the way it's done, trust us". While I can't fault the quality of mom's basic daily care I have seem with my own eyes that I can't trust them in some areas, so I get drawn into a discussion that quickly becomes confrontational. Adding to the problem is the total lack of a space to ask my questions in private, pretty much everyone from the doctor on down seems to conduct their business in the hallway (not really surprising as the only office space available is on another floor). They clearly are not used to being questioned and immediately get defensive, I feel as though I have to justify my concerns and push back, how can I stop this dysfunctional cycle??
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My mother always use to say to me "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar". She was also, no one to talk!
Unfortunately, it has been my experience that when I take the "honey" route - I usually get blown off. Maybe because I'm a big boobed blond people tend to talk to me like I'm an idiot when I'm attempting to be non-confrontational and nice. That almost always pisses me off and I start spewing the vinegar.
However, I have learned a few things in my attempt to treat people nicer than my mother did (sorry, someday I might also learn I don't have to continually take jabs at my mother). This is what I've learned as an advocate for Rainman, my mom and myself.
When urgency isn't a immediate factor - I try to give a "heads up". "Nurse Ratchet, when will you have a few minutes in the next few days to talk with me?" This shows it's important enough to you that you want a specific time and her undivided attention - and that you are not having a knee jerk fit about something that just happened. Next - when actually having the conversation I try not to jump to the point, instead I usually build to it - but don't start by giving them an excuse. Wrong - " I know how very busy you all are here and I know my mom can be a handful...". Right - "With this currently being cold and flu season, I am concerned about my mothers cough - what have you noticed". That's also getting their input right off the bat, making them your team member not your enemy. I also try to avoid statements that make it look like I am documenting. Wrong - "three of the last four days mom has been in a soiled diaper when I got here." Although, this can be a very effective tool - appearing to document if they start making excuses or try to blow you off. Then I again ask for their opinion "why do you think this is happening?" Then - them coming up with a solution "what can we do next time to ensure I'm notified right away if mom appears sick?" If they don't have an answer at that point - I ask for another time to met - again, if time allows. "Why don't we both think on this - when can we met tomorrow with a solution?" People respond better when they come up with their own solutions. That does not mean you can't say "Im not sure that will work...". And lastly, I always thank them - "I appreciate you taking the time to discuss this issue with me - I'm sure we both have the same goal here - the best care for my mother." This also keeps you on the same verses opposing team.
I know that sounds like the long way to make a point - but if it works AND it keeps both you and your mom on their good side - and therefore more likely to treat your mom well, isn't it worth it?
Last minute tip - stick to one issue at a time. Dumping stored up issues will make them think you are being overly picky and demanding.
I find that it's much better if I do this stuff in a care meeting (I know that you are having trouble getting that scheduled because of your sister's lack of response; I would just go ahead and schedule.
Yes, every facility has THEIR way of doing things. And I think that we, as advocates for our parents, can respect and understand that. And understand that our parent's care is NEVER going to be as customized as it might be at home.
I look at this the way I look at school for children. Yes, if you home schooled your child, you have total control and you can customize. And if that's what you want, and you don't have to work, then so be it.
I think that having my mom in a care center gets her better health care than I could ever give her, plus she gets some socialization. And I don't have to worry about the fact that she's with one or two caregivers who I have to supervise. And I don't have to give up the privacy that frankly, my husband and I can't live without. We live in just 1000 square feet.
So for me, the choice was pretty much a non-choice.
Make a list of what is bothering you and sit with it. Are they life and death problems? What are the biggest barriers to your mom's quality of life? THOSE are the important issues to talk about at a care meeting, not on the fly, in my opinion.
We had one CNA who annoyed the heck out of me. She started right off the bat by being condescending with Mom when she first arrived. On the first day in the NH, this girl came in, leaned right into Mom's face and spoke very loudly and slowly, and in a sing-song voice, like she was talking to an infant. Mom was completely put off by that, and so was I. This same CNA insisted on cleaning Mom's abdominal skin folds (she was very heavy) while she was seated on the toilet - making it difficult for herself and painful for Mom. Her folds were very heavy and more than one skin tear was caused using this method. I kept telling her that she needed to lay Mom on the bed for this process, as it was much easier to reach the bottom of the fold that way - cleaning in a seated position on the toilet not only makes it impossible to clean all the way to the bottom of the fold, it's just inviting more bacteria into the folds. I mean...she's sitting on a toilet, for goodness sakes, while you're cleaning an area with irritation & broken skin. Seriously?! The CNA would just look at me like I had two heads and go on with what she was doing. The other CNAs all did it the way I suggested and agreed that it was easier both on Mom and themselves. I finally had to go to the administrator and request that CNA not be allowed to deal with my Mom at all.
You have to advocate for your loved one - that's a fact - but finding staff members that are truly devoted to their job and willing to listen and act on your requests without seeing you as confrontational is the secret, in my opinion. It's a sad fact that many staff members in the NHs are simply there for the paycheck and don't truly care about their charges. I knew exactly who those people were, and I knew who the ones were that truly cared for my mom - the day she suddenly collapsed and died unexpectedly, there was one particular CNA who had to be sent off the floor, because she couldn't stop crying. I knew she was one of the good ones.
frustrated
unimportant
overwhelmed
unappreciated
disconnected
resentful
dismissed
left out
.....oops, can't use any of those!
We have decided that this will be a fact finding mission and we will let the meeting proceed according to their agenda and sit back and hear what they have to say, I will have to bite my tongue if they start handing me BS. My one main point is summed up as
"If I have a question or I see something that concerns me I'm not sure of the proper protocol to bring it to someone's attention, I often feel I am interrupting your work."
It's terribly frustrating isn't it?
Since mom can be a handful I go out of my way to be nice to staff - not necessarily admin - when I bring treats I bring some for them - I order in pizza or get burgers when they seem to be having a bad night but there's so much turnover in staff or they're rotating ones to different residents it's a constant challenge
Last night I arrived at the hotel California around 8:30 pm - tired from work - a new evening nurse and a new CNA - CNA came over and was going to take mom to bed - she wasn't tired plus I just arrived so I said no worries I'll put her to bed tonight but would you take her tinkle while I get something from the car - when she returned I asked if she was wet - she said just a little so I assumed she'd changed her - nope she was drenched clear through to the towel and seat cushion on her wheelchair -grrrr
When we went to mom's room another resident's walker was there and her roommate was in bed so I take the walker upstairs to return to its owner - her name was clearly marked - while I tried to be nice both the new evening nurse and the noc nurse got my frustration especially since mom has struggled with one UTI after another but I'm sure this scene will play out again and again as it has before
Unfortunately I have seen residents die from a lack of response when someone is struggling to breathe - one even had a personal caregiver who tried to alert the nurse there was a problem- she was turning blue
Short of being there everyday there's not much more we can do sometimes
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