My mom has Alzheimer’s and also depression but is at a nursing home that has known this for 3 years. New owners took over this year and my mom had a moment of “ self destructive “ outbursts and wanted out of this lockdown facility so she could run into traffic and be killed. She cannot get out ( key pad locks on doors to outside) but the nursing home did not handle her as in the past ( just sit her somewhere and let her calm down) instead, without my permission ( I am POA) called ambulance and had her sent to the mental area of our local hospital! The corporate office called me and apologized for this but I am uneasy that they can not handle something mommy only seems to do 5 times a year? While I am satisfied that she is being evaluated and her meds changed, I’m concerned she is being thrown out instead of cared for as before! Any thoughts?
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Maybe this shouldn’t be happening 5x a year. These episodes must be terribly frightening for your mom and perhaps a better mix of medication can help her live a happier life overall.
This may seem like an extreme response, but if your mom was having a mental health emergency, workers at her home may have needed to act quickly to ensure safety for all.
Nevertheless, if you are unhappy with their procedures under the new management, find your Mom a place that better aligns with your philosophy.
Sometimes new posters on the site are particularly revealing about themselves and their motives for ‘help’.
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"nursing home did not handle her as in the past ( just sit her somewhere and let her calm down) instead, without my permission ( I am POA) called ambulance and had her sent to the mental area of our local hospital!"
Did you reread the contract you signed? I'm thinking that the right (and/or duty) to request an ambulance and emergency hospital treatment would be one of the rights and obligations the facility has.
You also asked "any thoughts" and got some good answers, some of which you criticized:
"Do you people not read?" Yes, they do, and they've tried their best to respond, offering what I consider valid and good suggestions.
"Any thoughts" is exactly what you got in response.
What exactly are you seeking from the posters here?
Oh, I see the OP hasn't been back since 30 July. End of issue, apparently.
So you did say you want to take her home, maybe we took it out of context, but we got that from your profile. Sorry, I have no idea what you want us to say. Most of us have been thru the Nursing home thing. Its not perfect. People are people and mistakes are made. You have 2 to 3 shifts of different people. Weekends completely different people. Big turnover in places like this. Maybe it was a new employee that sent Mom out. Like I said, you were not there. You have no idea if this time was worse.
You cannot determine Moms ongoing care over one incident. Continue to be vigilant and if you think they aren't giving her the care she needs, then transfer her. No one, no one will care for your Mom the way that you would one on one.
I discribed to a man the morning in the life of a CNA because he felt the CNAs should put her favorite jewelry on her. He thanked me because he did not realize that aide has not just his wife to get up and dressed for breakfast but other residents to. He would be lucky if his wifes top matched her slacks.
The apology, could have been made to appease you. My daughter is an RN who worked rehabs/NHs for 20 years. When Mom was in a NH before I complained I asked her if I should. Sometimes she said "let it go. Save your complaints for the serious stuff." I was also told by my brother I was my own worst enemy.
Perhaps you should consult with an attorney.
Anyway, to address your problem (maybe I shouldn't even bother), some states have laws that allow involuntary transport to a psych unit in the case of suicidal thoughts or violence. In that case your POA has no clout. Does OK have such a law? And the laws typically don't differentiate between mental illness and dementia. In a MC unit the staff should be trained to handle verbal outbursts, unless they become violent.
What did the facility apologize for- sending her to a psychiatric unit, or not notifying you they sent her to a psychiatric unit? How long was she there? Did they treat her there?
So what's your course of action? You can leave her there or move her.
The home recognizing they are wrong by apologizing. Smdh
Sorry that you are dealing with this.
No, nothing they did was right. If the owners, corporation and administration call and say “ I am sorry, this was handled wrong!”
What does that mean to all of you posting? Anything?
Thanks for caring.
ALZ does not stay constant. None of the Dementias do. When it effects certain parts of the brain, it effects the function too. Meds need to be adjusted, some added, some discontinued. Its a game of Russian roulette. There is no ryhmn or reason and Dementia effects everyone differently.
I don't think facilities need your permission to send Mom to the hospital. You have left her in their care and they make these types decisions based on her safety and the safety of the other residents. I also don't feel that you can care for her at home in the stage she is in.
I did not ask this forum if I should take her home with me. I work a full time job, 10 hours 4 days a week.
You don’t need to talk with anyone on here because you don’t gather information from what people write. This is what is wrong with society, they don’t gather information before opening their mouth. My mother means the world to me so I withdraw from this website. Thank you for nothing intelligent.