My mom moved into a nice assisted living, but due to medical issues that recently developed, she is now moving to a skilled care facility. Looking for ideas on how to maximize the space and equip it with furniture that will help her. She is now totally wheelchair/bed bound. What are some items your loved one has that you think are indespensible? For example, limited counter space in bathroom or ways to keep things in reach while she is in bed (hard to reach that nightstand and can only put so much on that bedtray). Appreciate any helpful organization ideas to use the space to its best ability.
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Perhaps something similar at the side of her bed?
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I think we had two of them -- one for the shower and one I put just above the faucets on the mirror. Mom could reach all those things from a wheelchair, but she had help anyway.
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Bathroom will be shared. I had a container next to Moms bed with her toothbrush, toothpaste and favorite brush. In the 5 months she was there the toothpaste was not touched and sure the other items weren't. They continued to use what they provide, travel size toothpaste in a brand she did not like. Little plastic bristle brush that did nothing but put static in her hair and their toothbrushes. I put a sign on her toiletries saying "please use what is provided". Don't think it wirked. Because she is sharing a bathroom, remember the aides may "share" her toiletries with the other resident.
LTC is not going to be like an AL where Mom probably saw the same aide everyday. NH have aides working 8 hr shifts and12 hr shifts. Weekends different staff. CNAs and LPNs do the hands on care very rarely is an RN involved. RNs usually do the paperwork and oversee the CNAs and LPNs.
I have probably written a depressing outlook but its the reality of placing a LO in LTC. They will not get that special care that you would give or that she may have gotten in the AL. NHs are short staffed right now so the ones working are expected to pick up the slack. Mom is not the CNAs only responsibility. They have her and several others they have to get up and ready for breakfast. They have duties they have to do besides caring for residents. CNAs do the dirty work. My daughter worked Rehab/NHs for 20 yrs. She told me what I should complain about and what I needed to let go.
What I can say on a positive note is everyone I dealt with at Moms NH took very good care of my Mom. She was easy to care for. She was always clean, not always so at the AL. Seemed as happy as she could be with Dementia. Everyone had patience with the residents. I came in one time and a nurse was sitting talking to Mom. My experience was a good one if I put my OCD aside.😊
Always ask before you complain. Ask about the CNAs routine. My daughter explained it to me. You will be surprised what they do. Ask the laundress what the turn around is for the laundry. Moms was 3 days. This gives you an idea how many outfits need to be in the closet at anyone time taking into consideration needing to change because of soiling an outfit. I went to Moms room once just before bedtime to find an aide putting a hospital gown on Moms bed, I told him Mom had plenty of nightgowns she did not need a hospital gown. I ended up not saying anything to the RN because maybe the gowns were easier to put on Mom instead of the Tshirt type gowns my Mom liked to wear. (I so hate hospital gowns. Nothing covering you on the back. The ties come loose)
I took pictures of everything that went with Mom to the NH. Helped to identify lost items or clothing. Found her lost glasses because I had a picture. The hair dresser mixed Moms up with another residents. Be a presence. You don't have to visit everyday but they need to know there is someone advocating for this resident.
On one side she has a hospital table that I bought. It holds a phone, a flashlight, some wet wipes and Alexa.
On the other side of the bed ( the side she can reach easier ) she has two small tables. I bought a small folding tray/table at Walmart and it holds her cough drops, kleenex, hand sanitizer, water, remote control for TV and dog biscuits for her dog.
Adjacent to it is another hospital table I bought. It houses her digital book reader and it is the table we use for her to eat in bed. I just swing it in and set up the food/drink.
Anything else she needs she just asks me for. The way we have it set up is working well. Whenever I change her/bathe her I only have to move two of the tables out of the way.