She has become very forgetfull and calsl back to back to back and time doesnt matter. I've reduced the svc from unlimited long dis. to local....yeah but I'm the only one local! I'm about to go local for real!!! as it is I turn my cell phone off after 8:00 p.m. and screen calls. The NH doesn't care about time either! Just need to know, am I being insensitive by trying to protect my sleep and how do I go about removing the phone w/o further agitating her. I hate to lie, but I'm up for suggestions.
Thanks
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My suggestion to make her feel safe, and secure ( that's why she calls you so often, or she forgot she called. Patients with Dementia, are not oriented to time and place.)
Have a phone installed at her bedside. Block long distance calls, and have only chosen numbers or area codes she can dial and talk to... (Talk to the phone company about those features.)
Tell her you will call her every day around the same time, or she can call you. Place a sign up by her phone to remind her when she can call, (not after 8 pm for example.)
You can have a message recorder on your phone stating if you are not available, to leave a message. Tell her how your number is on her chart and the nurses will call you, in case there is an emergency. Have other family members or church friends, to call her on her phone or she can call during designated hours. Well, just a few suggestions....I misplace my cell phone alot, and end up calling myself to find it.
PS: I've also have witnessed patients flushing their false teeth down the toilet! Things happen!
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@ adaughter, mom is on Paxil but it only seems to last a little while. She's very high strong.
If the home is calling you to tell you he is agitated, perhaps they are hoping you will put your mother on an anti-depressant.
But seriously, I like nussy's suggestion but with a twist. You can set up a special answering service that plays back a recording made by you especially for her. Say something like "Mom, it is so good to hear your voice. I love you and really can't wait til I see you again (whenever you normally visit)." If, as you say, she does not remember calling, she will get a lot of satisfaction out of hearing your voice each time she calls. Since this can be set up as a local call, the cost will be the same whether she calls once a day or 100 times a day. You can also change the message for special occasions like Mother's Day, her Birthday, your Birthday, her Anniversary etc. You will also get some sense of her well-being by the number of times she calls during the day. If often, then she is anxious and you can alert the NH staff. If infrequent, then she is content and you can compliment the NH staff if they have contributed to her improvement.
Unless there is a medical emergency the NH should be handling all other minor issues. Really.....your probably paying them $8,000 or more....let them do their jobs and let you get a good night's sleep.