Are physical therapists familiar with Alzheimer's patients?

Mom has to be progressing in order for Medicare to pay. In this case however, l progressing" could be interpreted as her heels improving. obviously with dementia, she might try to walk just because she's told to do so, and yet does not understand the pain. I'm sorry I don't have it to give you right now, but there is a Medicare number in Washington DC to report problems, and I agree with contacting the state licensing board. By calling Medicare, you are getting them on board about the situation in case the nursing home try to discharge her too soon. You MUST stress with each of them that this is an emergency. First and IMMEDIATELY, write and either fax or email a detailed letter to the doctor so s/he cannot say the scope of the problem was misunderstood. Do that right away and give copies to the nursing home administrator, the head nurse and the social worker. Then when you call Medicare and the state licensing board, tell them you've written a letter and offer them a copy.

So what happened after you complained? Did anything change. Younger people who just "assume" seniors are hard-of-hearing will yell until they are told otherwise. Does she wear hearing aids? Before contacting an attorney (which is going to cost you/your mom money) try talking to all of the staff who have contact with your mother. Just ask for a meeting at this facility and then discuss your concerns. If you don't get anywhere, then contact your State Board of Licensure and ask them to investigate. This is free and anonymous.

Them bed sores on her heels would be extremely painful, if she has been bed ridden for sometime it is necessary to get her up to move. Otherwise her muscles will shut down, however standing her up on two very tender heels seems very extreme. They can do leg exercises in a chair or bed for her. But most of all she needs to be on her sides turned every two hours to keep the pressure off of her heals or they will not heal. Screaming at her is unneccessary and is abuse, I would speak to the DOC if that doesn't work contact elder abuse. Good Luck

My experience with Pt is that they can do and try just so much and because the dementia patient can't remember to do what they're told, finally they have to give up. Medicare won't keep posting since they aren't improving. It's sad but if they won't/can't follow our remember their exercises or how to do the things they've worked on they can't continue.

Thought...is she hard of hearing...My daughter is PTA and works with patients with dementia quite well, but if they are hard of hearing and won't use a hearing aid the volume has to go up.

Just thought of something else, your state should have an elder abuse hotline. Go on your states website...call them today.

Something is very wrong. Get your Mom out of this environment NOW. Write a letter of complaint and DOCUMENT this abuse. It might even be better to call an elder attorney and have him/her write the letter. Don't wait! Your Mother's safety is in danger.

Is the skilled nursing within a nursing home environment? Some are and some aren't. When my mom broke her second hip, even though she doesn't have dementia, I found that the SNF in the NH was more geared to her than the one in the hospital where she had her surgery. Even health care workers, if they aren't used to dealing with older folks and the field of geriatrics, are often not equipped to address the special needs of elderly patients.

If they are yelling at her, though...get her somewhere else and fast! Because you only have 100 days of SNF at a time through medicare and every day counts.

Have you spoken to her orthopedic surgeon and/or regular physician?