SubAcute and Rehabilitation Care Facility Rant

Today I noticed things about the rehab place where Mary has been a patient for 2 weeks. For a few minutes I considered calling the local TV guy you call when you have a problem - like if you call a plumber and he floods your kitchen, then skips town with your $$$ and leaves you up to your ankles in water.

I just didn't have a good feeling about anything. Mostly I was concerned that Mary wasn't getting the care she needed with bathroom issues. And then I learned she's had sponge baths but no shower since she's been in the place. Oh I know there's no way she could stand in a shower, but now that they can get her out of bed, surely there is a way to wheel patients into the shower.  And if ever there was a day she needed a shower, it was today.  If they'd let me, I'd give do it.

But just when I was about to lose my cool, this tired, stressed, but still trying to keep it together CNA came in to clean Mary up. Oh god, what if that was your job day in and day out? How would you remember to smile, and say be nice? And then Mary's nurse came to check on her.  If I called Ken Amaro to complain, I'd have to call someone to compliment this nurse. I had just watched her talk a patient (who has lost some of his brain cells) off the floor.  He was holding a sit in right in front of the nurses station. I was expecting to see men with big muscles come down the hall, like in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But what I saw was 3 women, cajole then lift the guy back into his wheelchair.  Anyway this nurse, spoke to Mary respectfully, calmed her down, brought her some prune juice and smiled.

Back in bed, Mary settled in. Does God answer prayers about poo?

In the parking lot, I noticed a man in a wheelchair, sitting under a tree, all by himself. I got in my car and drove off, but thought as I passed him I should have stopped to say hello. I wonder how many of the mobile patients seek out a quiet place outside to breathe in some kind of peace so obviously missing inside.

There has to be a better way.
Sorry for the rant,
Merry ME

Comments

AkasaWolfSong said…
As an ex-CNA I can tell you they have a thing called shower chairs...they're on wheels and they can push the patient into the shower to get them cleaned up. Ask them if they are using one on Mary, and if not, why? That is quite disturtbing to me that she has only had birdbaths since being in there...I mean come on! Grrr...

As for the poo issue, she's probably constipated from no physical activity...give her some mineral oil in her OJ...hopefully she won't notice it, lol. Poor old girl.

Here's to better days ahead and being able to sit in nature in peace.

Love Ya Mary Sister! :)

May 29, 2013 at 12:00 PM
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