Third Week of Rehab

Mom made it through this week and didn't refuse any therapy and "did much better" according to the head of therapy. They were able to get her out of her room and even doing some rehab in the rehab room with the other patients. The therapist said she did get confused once when getting ready to leave that room -- she thought she needed her coat and shoes.

Mom finally was going to get her hair done on Monday -- but then the facility's boiler had broke and they were without hot water! So, that got rescheduled for Tuesday and sure enough -- she got her hair done! YAY! She looks like Mom a lot more now -- still has some hollow eyes but looks better.

We learned on Tuesday that some virus was running through the place and everyone was being restricted to their rooms. Lots of staff were out with the stuff too. Sister noticed on Tuesday that Mom's floor was filthy around her bed and she got her a clean sheet. The roommate mentioned that she hadn't known their sheets to be changed since she came in a week or more ago. Mom had not been cleaned up either and had on the same clothes from Saturday!

So we sent an email to the facility administrators on the following items:

1. The Director of Nursing stated yesterday evening that they were going to discontinue the “booster” dose of the antidepressant they were giving Mom to help her sleep as this appears to be the cause of her confusion and drowsiness on Sunday and last Friday – that is good news!

2. My sister spent some time yesterday cleaning up Mom’s area while she was getting her hair done as both her bed and floor around it were filthy. I noticed that on Sunday as well. We realize that you are struggling with staff illness/shortages, but cleanliness is very important – especially when you have a virus going around. Mom’s roommate noted to my sister that as far as she knew neither her nor Mom’s sheets had been changed since she came into the facility!! I know I personally changed the sheet that lays under Mom’s butt on Saturday myself as it was wet and soiled. My sister said she has done the same multiple times since Saturday. This type of negligence can easily lead to infections and disease – especially in the elderly with low immune systems (and when combined with lack of regular bathing – see #4 below).

3. Last night my nephew and fiancé were in with Mom during dinner time and they noted she had “Glucerna” to drink. That is for diabetes – isn’t it? We questioned this note on her chart earlier and were advised that her sugar was monitored and it was consistently fine. We have not been aware of any diabetes food/treatment prior to last night. Can you elaborate as to why she was given “Glucerna” and is there in fact an issue with her sugar?

4. Yesterday Mom was still in the same clothes that were put on her on Saturday. As best we can determine – she has not been bathed since Saturday morning. Sister inquired about this with the nurse last night and she said that everyone is showered twice a week and sponge bathed the other days. My sister noted with the nurse that Mom had not received a shower since she had been there – we are aware that Mom turned down a shower opportunity last Friday. The nurse checked the “book” and did not see where Room 25 was on the schedule at all. So, it appears that Room 25 is missing the scheduled shower opportunities? The nurse said she would correct that and would note not to get Mom’s hair wet ;-) THANKS! I guess our concern here is the number of days Mom has been in the same clothes and without a bath and if Sister had not had this discussion, apparently Room 25 would not be on the scheduled list at all. L

5. Along with #4 – we were aware that Mom had a bit of a sore on her butt in the hospital and we noticed Saturday she was complaining a lot about her butt hurting her. If she has not been bathed since Saturday and in the same clothes – we assume same pull-ups and since the sheet under her butt on the bed has been soiled multiple times since Saturday – what if that sore is still there? What condition may it be in after no cleaning or treatment?


We did receive a prompt response and all items were being addressed. Never really did get a good response to the "glucerna" question but I guess 4 out of 5 ain't bad.

Sure enough Mom did have two sores on her butt, so they put some kind of patch on them that is supposed to be changed every 3 days....kind of like second skin or something. They got her cleaned up as well and we were advised they were bringing in help with staffing.

We were informed at the end of the week that they had shipped the urine sample off to be tested for Urinary tract infection -- which evidently causes confusion in the elderly. The test takes 48-72 hours because they test for exactly what bacteria so they can treat with the exact right antibiotic. So, looks like first of week before we'll know about that situation.

By Friday night, Mom was walking without a walker and was very alert. The nurse said that bouncing between confusion and regular was normal. Mom stated she couldn't believe she had been in that place for three weeks EGAD! She wanted out of there and we needed to have a meeting with those people. She finally agreed to stay there that night since it was already late, but she wanted to meet with them on Saturday. This freaked my sister out. I explained there was no need to react yet because by morning Mom may not even remember anything about going home. I suggested that we load her up for a drive-in snack or lunch and see how she does.

Saturday she was fine, very pleasant and normal.

Sunday, February 1, 2009


Today Mom was moving really well and her face looked good. Good color and looking more like herself. Sister shared some business of check signing with her and she was rather confused about all that. We've decided it may be easiest for her if we just handle all the business and then just provide her info when she asks. No need to add confusion or worry to her but we needed to try once to determine what is best for her. It would probably be easiest for us if she just has no interest in business and just lets us handle it. We'll see how things go.

It was beautiful today and Sister asked Mom if she wanted to walk outside -- but she didn't want to. She did tell them she was going to walk them to the door when they left -- they learned the door she meant was the door to her room. That was still better than she had been. Sister said when they left Mom was standing in the doorway to her room with hands on hip and watching everyone in the hall. Good sign.

I asked Sister what Mom had on and she said the same damn thing she had on yesterday -- evidently no baths this weekend and showers only during weekdays. Mom's roommate said she's only had one shower since she came and that was when she requested it.

So, goal for this week -- get Mom showered and resolve confusion -- if UTI, then begin antiobiotics. If not UTI, then we'll have to figure out what is causing the confusion.

One day at a time and hope for the best.

To be continued....................................