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I can't imagine how you can think we have any control over your nursing home or that we would be better able to answer your very reasonable question than THEY are?
As to what the limit is? I must assume they are busy; no one likes a ringing phone.

If this is ongoing and a terrible problem for you then I would call the Administration office at this place and discuss with someone who may have a good many more answers or suggestions than we do. Another idea or hint is to be certain to ask what are the best TIMES to call. I do know as an RN that "shift change" isn't it.

Good luck. Sorry you are going through this. But on a level of stuff that happens for all in elder care, this is mild, and I hope things never get any worse for you. Take good care.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Because they are busy and probably understaffed. And, if it's around the holidays, very busy.

Or, you call their front desk receptionist and ask this question.

Are you calling your sister's room? Or her floor nurse station? Where is your call actually going?
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Reply to Geaton777
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Are you trying to call during office hours, or after everyone but the people doing actual care have left for home?
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Reply to cwillie
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This is not a real issue you need help with. Just hold on until someone answers the phone.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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They’re tending to patients and doing their jobs. Not like they can just up and run to the phone right away. The immediate needs take precedence, as they should.
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Reply to LoopyLoo
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Probably understaffing which is an issue in just about every nursing home in my opinion. I would rather staff be taking care of the needs of residents than making answering phone calls the priority. If it's a chronic issue, you could contact the administrator but sadly, I wouldn't count on much changing. Give some grace to the bedside workers as they are probably doing the best that they can.
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Reply to LyndeeNew
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Geesh, to me this is a non-issue, be patient they are busy doing what they are supposed to do, taking care of the people in need.
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Reply to MeDolly
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They probably can't answer because they are more than likely short staffed and are running around like chickens with their heads chopped off taking care of everyone's needs.
Have you tried putting a landline phone in your sisters room so you can just call her directly? And if that's not possible for whatever reason, then you must learn some patience and appreciate that the staff are busy taking care of their patients and not just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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A low priority concern. She is in a safe place, getting fed.
Be glad she isn't calling you crying to "go home" all day.
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Reply to Dawn88
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I think we get used to someone answering the phone pretty quickly when our loved one is in the hospital that we expect the same when they are in a nursing home. Nursing homes are not staffed like hospitals and from my experience, having the phone ring 20+ times before someone answers is the norm.
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Reply to Wrenee5111
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The 3 NHs in my area have receptionists who can transfer calls to rooms and Nurses Stations. I find the Nurses station may not pick up right away. Why? Because they are with a patient or in a meeting. I think shortness of aides, in my area, the RN and LPNs are needed to pick up some slack. Phone calls are not high priority.

Shifts are usually 7 to 3, 3 to 11 and 11 to 7. Some staff work 12 hr shifts. Mornings are not a good time to call IMO. Residents have to be gotten up and dressed for breakfast. Med passes are done. PT is done. Then...time for lunch. Staff have breaks. The desk is usually manned by RNs. If one goes on break and there is an emergency, no phone gets answered. Or one RN manning the phones so not able to pick up other calls because she is talking to someone on another line.

Do you live near sister? Far away? Are you calling several times a day or just a check in every day. And if a check in every day why? Just to see how sister is doing? If you are the main contact, you will be notified of any fall, ER visits and drastic changes. If you visit regularly you can ask the RN at the nurses desk how she has been.

So, why is it so important to get thru to nursing staff?
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Reply to JoAnn29
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