Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose76
The logistics of that are involved. This man needs 24/7 care. I can go out to the store for an hour if he seems okay. That's about all the alone time he can be left. He can't get up from a chair and get into the bathroom without help. To be away from him, I'ld have to have caregivers in place around the clock. Not so easy to arrange. I never know when a carsgiver will call out sick. The onky real break I get us when he goes into a hospital, rehab or nursing home. I felt better when he was in a facility. I'ld visit him daily, but go home to my own place every night.
But there would be other problems. He would fall. No place watches him as closely as I do. He got a pressure sore. He got raging urinary tract infections. He wouldn't be kept clean. He lost weight. He would be sitting alone among others with more severe dementia. These nursing homes are basically orphanages for old people.
I feel unwell today.
|
As someone who once worked in the long term care unit of a hospital as a CNA, some patients who indeed have dementia, I can say what you say is true. Patients wind up with urinary tract infections, bed sores, left in the "dayroom" with other patients (thought behind this is that human interaction of some sort is good for them), they get full baths weekly but sponge baths daily and if they are unable to toilet themselves - it can take up to an hour to two to change depending upon (1) their ability to let someone know and (2) the amount of things the CNAs n nurses are already handling (changing someone may not seem like a lot but it is actually something many need - and some people are combative while changing them, and sometimes it can take 5-10min to take care of so if it is not a "planned" change - then it has to be done when it is not something urgent going on). I used to feel really bad for the patients who even had part of their mind still - bc they would look around and see nothing but misery and think "this is what I have to look forward to" and many of them had nobody come and visit them. When I would have extra time, I would visit a little while with these patients. But you are right. Nobody can take care of nor love an ailing loved one as can someone who truly loves them. The problem is it takes a lot out of them too. So just be good to yourself too and take care of you. That's all.
❤