RE: Call About Dad

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

What was the reason for admission again? I am confused as to why he had to

go in the first place?! I am glad he is doing ok. What did they want with

the Chem 7 (blood work)? My MIL doesn't sleep well at the hospital either.

I agree that when they are taken out of their usual surroundings, confusion

and disorientation is normal.

Good luck with things.

RE: Call About Dad

Group

I went to the nh to get clothes for my dad and had made up my mind that

if asked, I would just say he is o.k. Well one nurse asked, and even

stopped to ask more questions, I just told her he is o.k. and walked

away. Another of the staff said she didn't see my son and myself slip

in...I told her now we are going to slip out. She asked if we were ok,

I said yes, she asked if dad was ok, I said yes and left.

Then my son and I went to see dad. Bloodwork had been taken, yet he

seemed all right. The staff at the hospital said he ate 2 trays at

lunch. He slept only 4 hrs through the night, and was not up for

breakfast. Also, by 3:00 he had not taken his meds. I asked the nurse

if she could give him his meds. while I was there and she did. He

seemed a little confused and disoriented, but I think this is all normal

for being in a differet environment. Before we left I realized he was

wet so 2 people changed him and I didn't have to. Afterward, he was

laying in his bed freezing. It was very cold in the room, and he was

shivering. I covered him up and even tucked his arms in. Suddenly he

had a serious hallucination. He sat up, yelling and screaming at me and

then at the glass covering the window. After reassuring him that he was

ok, and I was there with him, he laid back down and I closed the

curtains. He had 2 more hallucinations in the following few minutes,

even covered his own head up with the blanket. I felt an enormous need

to protect him from the fear he was having, yet was helpless as there

was nothing on the outside to fight away. Again, I spoke softly and

reassuring to let him know I was still there and that all was gone

again. I wouldn't let anything get him.

I called the hospital after work and was told he had a good dinner, took

his pills for the nurse, and had even been smiling at times. It was a

very positive report.

Thanks to all that have shown such caring concern...any many heartfelt

thanks for all the prayers sent my dads way.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

What was the reason for admission again? I am confused as to why he had to

go in the first place?! I am glad he is doing ok. What did they want with

the Chem 7 (blood work)? My MIL doesn't sleep well at the hospital either.

I agree that when they are taken out of their usual surroundings, confusion

and disorientation is normal.

Good luck with things.

RE: Call About Dad

Group

I went to the nh to get clothes for my dad and had made up my mind that

if asked, I would just say he is o.k. Well one nurse asked, and even

stopped to ask more questions, I just told her he is o.k. and walked

away. Another of the staff said she didn't see my son and myself slip

in...I told her now we are going to slip out. She asked if we were ok,

I said yes, she asked if dad was ok, I said yes and left.

Then my son and I went to see dad. Bloodwork had been taken, yet he

seemed all right. The staff at the hospital said he ate 2 trays at

lunch. He slept only 4 hrs through the night, and was not up for

breakfast. Also, by 3:00 he had not taken his meds. I asked the nurse

if she could give him his meds. while I was there and she did. He

seemed a little confused and disoriented, but I think this is all normal

for being in a differet environment. Before we left I realized he was

wet so 2 people changed him and I didn't have to. Afterward, he was

laying in his bed freezing. It was very cold in the room, and he was

shivering. I covered him up and even tucked his arms in. Suddenly he

had a serious hallucination. He sat up, yelling and screaming at me and

then at the glass covering the window. After reassuring him that he was

ok, and I was there with him, he laid back down and I closed the

curtains. He had 2 more hallucinations in the following few minutes,

even covered his own head up with the blanket. I felt an enormous need

to protect him from the fear he was having, yet was helpless as there

was nothing on the outside to fight away. Again, I spoke softly and

reassuring to let him know I was still there and that all was gone

again. I wouldn't let anything get him.

I called the hospital after work and was told he had a good dinner, took

his pills for the nurse, and had even been smiling at times. It was a

very positive report.

Thanks to all that have shown such caring concern...any many heartfelt

thanks for all the prayers sent my dads way.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

> Cheryl

> From what I can piece together, and from what intuition tells

me...dad

Hang in there Sandie, and they are right about the state (and if it

is a Medicade facility the federal) inspectors do check over the

records. And you have every right as a family member to call the

state and let them know your story. I am really concerned about the

brusing that was not reported, anytime there is any accident that

causes any kind of injury it should be noted in the charts, an

incident report filled out and the family notified. State and

Federal inspections are a real stressful time for any nursing home,

but they difinately sould not be tring to get rid of someone that

they think might make them look bad. As alway my prayers are with

you, Barb.

[Guest guest]

> Cheryl

> From what I can piece together, and from what intuition tells

me...dad

Hang in there Sandie, and they are right about the state (and if it

is a Medicade facility the federal) inspectors do check over the

records. And you have every right as a family member to call the

state and let them know your story. I am really concerned about the

brusing that was not reported, anytime there is any accident that

causes any kind of injury it should be noted in the charts, an

incident report filled out and the family notified. State and

Federal inspections are a real stressful time for any nursing home,

but they difinately sould not be tring to get rid of someone that

they think might make them look bad. As alway my prayers are with

you, Barb.

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately I am also confused with the " why's of admitting " dad to

the hospital. Initally I was told dad was striking out at staff

members. He allegedly did 2 times this week, both times were when staff

approaced him and insisted on cares. Then, on the way out the door to

the hospital, 3 evening employees at the nh told me they were confused

as to why my dad was going...they said they have had no problems with

him all day. They said they have their gut feeling it is because there

is an upcoming State Inspection. One employee said he was kicked out of

the office when the call was being made to me and had heard the

administrator say she wanted dad out of there. A blessing in this is at

the hospital he has been handling his days a little better than at the

nh. Yesterday he ate 2 full trays at lunch and a full dinner. Today he

has refused to eat, but has not been angry or combative...just doesn't

want to eat. This is all so strange to me. I will be doing some

investigating of my own!

Thank you for asking and best wishes to you and your MIL. Sure hope she

is fine!

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

I've been reading your posts the last few days and I wish that I could

offer some help. The best I can do is to keep your Dad and your family

in my prayers. I don't know a thing about nhs, but if they don't get

their act together, " I smell a lawsuit. "

sanclown@... wrote:

>

> Unfortunately I am also confused with the " why's of admitting " dad to

> the hospital. Initally I was told dad was striking out at staff

> members. He allegedly did 2 times this week, both times were when staff

> approaced him and insisted on cares. Then, on the way out the door to

> the hospital, 3 evening employees at the nh told me they were confused

> as to why my dad was going...they said they have had no problems with

> him all day. They said they have their gut feeling it is because there

> is an upcoming State Inspection. One employee said he was kicked out of

> the office when the call was being made to me and had heard the

> administrator say she wanted dad out of there. A blessing in this is at

> the hospital he has been handling his days a little better than at the

> nh. Yesterday he ate 2 full trays at lunch and a full dinner. Today he

> has refused to eat, but has not been angry or combative...just doesn't

> want to eat. This is all so strange to me. I will be doing some

> investigating of my own!

> Thank you for asking and best wishes to you and your MIL. Sure hope she

> is fine!

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I just accidentally deleted your email with all the addresses, can you

resend? Thanks,

[Guest guest]

,

You can aways go back and read any messages that were posted on the

message board by going to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

then click on LBD Caregivers, then click on Aug 2002 to get a listing of

all the messages for August. My message with the e-mail addresses is

#7171. You can actually go and read all messages posted to the yr. 2000.

It's great because you don't have to save messages in your e-mail. Let

me know if you need any further help going back and looking at the

archived messages.

MLaSalGon@... wrote:

> , I just accidentally deleted your email with all the addresses,

> can you

> resend? Thanks,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

Something doesn't smell right! If you find that they moved him merely for

" inspection " reasons, could there be some legality issues with that? I am

happy to hear he ate. That is good news. My MIL also becomes very

resistive to care. Yesterday they tried to clean her up after an accident,

(she thought someone was in her bathroom, so she kept waiting and sadly had

an accident doing so)and she hit the staff trying to take her pants off.

The hospital environment is very different compared to her assisted living

place. Constant commotion, crying, screaming. That environment is causing

more stress and confusion for her. She is doing better today and they have

adjusted her Paxil and gave her a sleeping agent. She is being discharged

right now! Let me know how things go with your father. Good luck Sandie!

Take care,

RE: Call About Dad

Unfortunately I am also confused with the " why's of admitting " dad to

the hospital. Initally I was told dad was striking out at staff

members. He allegedly did 2 times this week, both times were when staff

approaced him and insisted on cares. Then, on the way out the door to

the hospital, 3 evening employees at the nh told me they were confused

as to why my dad was going...they said they have had no problems with

him all day. They said they have their gut feeling it is because there

is an upcoming State Inspection. One employee said he was kicked out of

the office when the call was being made to me and had heard the

administrator say she wanted dad out of there. A blessing in this is at

the hospital he has been handling his days a little better than at the

nh. Yesterday he ate 2 full trays at lunch and a full dinner. Today he

has refused to eat, but has not been angry or combative...just doesn't

want to eat. This is all so strange to me. I will be doing some

investigating of my own!

Thank you for asking and best wishes to you and your MIL. Sure hope she

is fine!

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

A week ago Mom's doctor, at the NH, increased her Trazodone. Mom had been

very agitated. If you recall I had her taken off of the Seroquel. The staff

now sees what I was talking about in regard to the adverse effects it had on

her.

Mom's agitation is very much improved. It's hard to tell if the sleeping is

from Lewy or the medication. When she is awake she is alert and talkative.

I may in the next week or two ask the doctor if the AM dose of the Trazodone

can be reduced if Mom still seems to be sleeping more then previously.

I think Mom and I must be blessed in the NH placement. The staff really

works with me and they say they can tell that Mom must have been a really

nice person before this disease hit. She still is a really nice person even

when she is agitated. She will at times in the middle of the agitation stop

and have a moment of clarity and say " I'm sorry. "

Sad isn't it. She must know what is going on.

Hope things will continue to improve with your Dad. Keep that NH on it's

toes Sandie!

Mariea

[Guest guest]

Went to see my dad yesterday and found if all goes well, he will be

discharged today (Friday) at 1:00. I will be involved with all of this

and when he gets to the nh, I will ask to see what Barb referred to as

the " Blue Book " . I will be looking to see if there are any current

state inspections...like for this week. If so, my thought would be to

cry, my reaction will be to fight. Dad seems to be doing a little

better. His Zoloft was decreased a little, and his Trazadone was

increased a little. Both of these changes could have been done while at

the nh if the staff could have just been patient.

I am so sorry to hear your MIL is striking out at people. Those types

of behaviours leaves you with such an awful feeling. So is your MIL

going back to the group home? I know you have mentioned possibly a nh

yet the waiting list is so very long.

A last note...As Cheryl said...I only wish the people dealing with my

dad (or all our LO's) only knew them before LBD. I am sure the staff at

the nh would do an about face and swallow their words.

Keep me informed as to how your MIL is doing . You will continue

to be in my prayers as with and your family.

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

Mariea

Thank you for your replies. So glad your mom is doing better. My dad

isn't able to talk much so after his growls he isn't able to apologize.

I am sure this doesn't help the nh staff. Guess my thoughts to them is

" Oh well " deal with it. I was fairly pleased with his placement at this

nh before all of this. I feel an inner disappointment and uneasy

feeling...that gut feeling and intuition. Of course I will be checking

out all possibilities as to what this feeling is telling me.

I am truly happy that your mom is better and that the nh knows the

difference from her moods with LBD and the type of person she was before

dx. Thank you for sharing your story!

Sandie

Des Moines, IA

[Guest guest]

He is a psychiatrist and I am more confident in his

> opinion than the opinion of the family practitioner at the nh who

> openly admits she knows nothing about LBD.

Sandie, if your dad is going to stay in that nh maybe it is time for

the family practitioner to get some education about LBD. I am sure

that she has access to the internet...

Too high of a potassium level can be as bad as too low. Have to

watch the water pills because they can cause the potassium to drop

too low, as with every thing else it is a balancing act, I wonder if

the blood pressure has something to do with that? As always my

prayers are with you. Barb

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this advice, I will be looking into the potassium

> levels more.

Good luck and keep us posted. Saw where you are thinking of moving

him out of Alzheimers ward, good idea, the main reason for the

differant ward for Alzheimers is the wandering aspect. If your dad

is not able to wander any more they might consider the move if he

isn't too disruptive. Nursing homes definately need more nurses like

Vickie. Barb