care homes

[sunflower68]

The recent headlines about residential care problems with the elderly leads me again to a query I had some months ago.

My 94 year old grandmother has been asked in the last 6 months to keep her door closed for health and safety reasons, at the care home she lives in.

Is this something which cannot be avoided? I would be very interested to hear any viewpoints from people in a similar situation or people working in care homes. The problem we have is that my very sociable but very disabled gran's only real pleasure was from 'passing traffic' to and fro her room. Now she is 'shut in' she has rapidly gone downhill in terms of mental health. I really think it has a lot to do with this new rule and not her age.

[noxlumos]

Rather sounds like being in prison doesn't it? I'm assuming from your post that she's too poorly to go to any day room that they might have although I can't for the life of me see why she can't have her door open if she wants it. Have a pleasant but firm word with whoever is in charge, as this lady has a right to be treated with dignity and have a decent quality of life and clearly being able to socialise is part of that.I'm very sorry for the situation you find yourslf in and wish her well.

[nfn]

I completely agree with nox. If their argument is MRSA then remind them that it only passes through direct contact. If your grandmother only has passing conact ie. ABSOLUTELY no physical contact then she is at no risk. Any other excuses given ie. winter vomiting virus etc are just as likely to be passed by staff. Stick to your guns and good luck, at her age your grandmother deserves and should recieve utmost respect

[Drisgirl]

I agree wholeheartedly with the other posters.I worked briefly in a care home and the fun they had in the afternoon -chatting (OK it was sometimes just talking at each other) bingo ,sing song - it was fun for us as well.

Put your foot firmly down - my grandmother is 96 and lives indepentantly so age is not an issue.Whether they wheel her out she will have fun because the people who work in residential or care homes are angels in disguise-who do the work of trained nurses at half the price.

[joko]

Ahh, I remember your original post - its a shame some of the suggestions obviously didn't work out.

I think its time to get tough, i assume you approached them with viable solutions and they wouldn't have it, so why not involve the local press?

I would approach your local paper and ask them to do a piece, highlighting your nans treatment and how petty their rules seem - i'll bet things will change if they think they may lose business.

(if you don't want to go public - ask a pal to turn up with a camera and notebook etc, and poke around, or try to do a telephone interview, and fake it - get them worried)

[woofgang]

be fair, the door could be a fire door and the keep it closed rule could be because of this

[libertie]

Agree with woofgang on this one.... there is a case pending in Scotland at the moment where a couple who own a care home Rosepark, are being taken to court after a fire there tragically claimed the lives of 14 residents, thought to have been overcome by smoke during the night because their doors where left open! Agree though that it's a shame your gran can't be moved to a day room or similar so that she can enjoy the company of others!

[sunflower68]

yes the door thingy is apparantly for the fire risk. Understandable except that there is a special smoking room for those who, with all due respect for them have trouble holding anything in their hands, are left alone with cigarettes and lighters. Now, this is their little pleasure, why can't my gran have hers?

Joko thanks for the kind thought but she would absolutely go SPARE if we involved the press. She is of the old school, where you put up and shut up. Me and my mum are having to try the softly softly approach. It's a great idea I would love to try though!

Noxlumos her legs are bad but she can walk. She used to go and play bingo, see the vicar on a Sunday etc but the whole thing has left her without the will really. Don't get me wrong she is lovely, not a grump or sourpuss or anything. She just loves to watch the world go by. She did it in her own home for years; since they shut the door she has lost the little pleasure she gets in life.

[libertie]

Must be very frustrating for you all to have to stand by and see your gran isolated like this! I don't have any personal experience of care homes so can't really offer any practical advice. Does your gran have a tv in her room ~ not an ideal solution I know but it may help relieve some of the boredom, or what about having her own open day and inviting other residents to her room for a wee cuppa and a good old natter! Anyhow good luck I hope you mange to sort something out!

[nfn]

it might seem a bit of an odd idea but how would the home feel if she had some sort of pet? A goldfish is so low maintenance and a couple in a small tank are great time wasters. You could give the take a quick rinse out when you visit and she or a carer could drop a couple of fish flakes in every day to feed them. They won't wander out of her room and upset anyone else and they don't need to go for a walk. Just an idea! Good luck and send your grandmother my best wishes

[Alibobs]

I work in social care for the elderly, the rules and regulations have gone crazy these past few years and I can quite believe its for fire regs. How people could open these heavy doors to get out if there was a fire in the room is another story.......

Various other rules that have come in recently are carers not being able to administer medication from bottles. Families used to be able to sort medication into dossette boxes, now they can't do this , everything has to be blister packed by a pharmacist. Trouble is the pharmacists are so busy they cannot always do it so people have to go without medication....honestly

[sunflower68]

libertie she does have a tv in her room. Typical of many her age she will not switch it on until the BBC 6 o'clock news!! It is a lovely idea to have her friends round, I will mention it to her.

nfn the fish idea is one to think about. I think she would love on. Hey, what's the betting she isn't allowed?

Alibobs you made an extremely valid point - how would she get in a fire? She used to prop open her door with a colourful brick because it was so heavy. She would absolutely not be able to open it on her own. I think that it is an infringement on her human rights. She pays a fair wack to live there, it is her room and she should be able to do as she pleases really.

I would like to say a big thankyou to all the replies. They have all come from the heart and I really appreciate them. xxxx