Although there are many difficulties and challenges caring for a loved one at home, there is no guarantee that your burden will be lighter when placing them in a nursing home. You may get a couple of extra hours sleep at night if you are not up worrying about the care they are receiving when you aren't there. I believe that for every compassionate, caring worker, there are just as many who are non-caring and abusive. Recently, I heard an assault happen to a resident in the hallway outside my mother's room. I had seen this care worker be rough and unfriendly with the residents before and was very concerned about his behavior. I reported it to the authorities and he was taken off the unit for about a month. Now he is back again and I don't know what to do. Is the home knowingly putting these residents at risk for abuse, all with dementia so they can't stick up for themselves. I have asked that this person not have anything to do with caring for my mother, but is the alternative no care at all? I didn't get much sleep thinking about all this last night. What is that saying about the devil you know?
