Staff knows but does not seem like its a priority/ unwilling to medicate more
not fair to my mom who is bedridden and forced to endure ongoing disturbing cries for help seems to me a basic right to not be subjected to that but I dont see it written in patient rights
They did this at the facility, with the resident who would say "help me" cry, then bang on the table to get the aides attention. She was with another resident who was "out of it", (same resident who threw water on the nurse when her husband was discharged before her).
As seen, they stick loud aggressive dementia patients with quieter ones who take the brunt of the former’s attacks and antisocial behavior.
Were I you, I would encourage mom to socialize throughout the facility to find a mutually compatible rooomate.
I so hope those building new facilities make the rooms for one person. A closet, a dresser, side table and hospital bed. It would so make things easier all around.
Seriously, it is and will always be about the money, The only surefire way OP's mom would be moved is if she could "strike back" at the other resident. Since mom is bedridden, then this makes it easier for the facility to keep her where she is. (what is mom going to do? get out of bed and hit her?)
Whoever approved the room assignments probably knows this.
Another true story in the facility, there was a resident who moved several times to different rooms Why? She was a real firecracker, and would argue, almost to the point of hitting her roommate. To keep the peace she was able to move, which would last all of a few days, then the issue would start again. Had to give it to her, she took no mess.
End result she was discharged after an accusation of hitting a nurse. The facility put her up in a motel for a week until she could plan her next steps. I hope she is doing okay. She is a real "fighter"
So far as I know, there IS no solution to this, even private rooms unless they are sound proof. Blasting Admin with a recording might be a quick way to get a suggestion that you might be more comfortable in a different facility. If the ‘help helper’ is your own relative, you probably feel differently.
My MIL was in a rehab facility where a patient was also doing it. Wasn't in her room, but was clearly heard by all in the very tiny facility. No one sleeps well while trying to recover from their injuries/illnesses. When my MIL was in a LTC facility with a roommate who was disruptive, we asked that either she be moved or the roommate. It happened more than once over the years and she was always accommodated.
* Find out what their policy is and their legal obligations.
And, as others have said, this behavior is very common in individuals with dementia so you might need to transfer her to another facility and pay for a private room.
It is a very unfortunate and difficult situation for many.
Gena / Touch Matters
Everyone needs to educate themselves, because facilities violate the laws right and left and up and down.
How many people on this forum believe there are legal limited visiting hours in a nursing home? For the most part, they would be incorrect.
42 CFR § 483.10(f)(4)
(ii) The facility must provide immediate access to a resident by immediate family and other relatives of the resident, subject to the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time;
(iii) The facility must provide immediate access to a resident by others who are visiting with the consent of the resident, subject to reasonable clinical and safety restrictions and the resident's right to deny or withdraw consent at any time;
I am beginning to be concerned if my husband needs a facility, he may be a help, help offender. Fortunately, it is not constant but he often looks at me and answers he doesn't know when I ask what he needs. If I suggest maybe he needs to go to the bathroom or walk around he often says yes. If he says yes to the bathroom he either really needs to go or he just went in his brief and needs a change. Staff members in a facility often don't have time to get to know the residents to find simple solutions to improve annoying situations.
Often, I have to just know him well enough to guess what his discontent is.
One thing I have found is that when he is super agitated for long periods of time, it usually means that he is ready to have a bowel movement. But, with no control over it, it is very stressful for him! So, he is uncomfortable and yells a lot! Then, once he has finally had a bowel movement and has been cleaned up, then he is so comfortable and worn out, he will be quietly subdued for the remainder of the day.
I hesitate to have him admitted to a nursing home for so many reasons, but one thing I would ask the staff is to put him in a room on his own or with someone who can't hear. I can't imagine subjecting another resident to that kind of harrassment!
I can't stand it when I'm home with him - I have to go outside.
Stick to your guns and keep insisting your mom be moved to another room!
Or have her moved to another facility!
True personal. in the facility, my roommate is a smoker, I'm not. We were pared together, one reason mentioned was that he would be out of the room, often, (which he was) to smoke.
Written communication is legal documentation.
42 CFR § 483.10 - Resident rights.
(i) Safe environment. The resident has a right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. The facility must provide—
(7) For the maintenance of comfortable sound levels.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/42/483.10
Thank you for this from federal regulations. It is invaluable to have, I think.
Wonder if you could do me a favor, as I just used this from you to answer another op about a podiatrist that did her mom an injury in care.
Could you post this in Discussions under "Federal Policy Rules and Regulations regarding Resident Rights in LTC." If you put that link there we can always access it. I am not hooked to a printer and hard for me to store stuff, but I would love easy access to this.
Thanks again for posting this.
Getting good quality sleep can be so conducive to the well being in older people. Snfs, AL, hospitals etc. Could keep a lot of health issues at bay just by giving attention to this matter. Patients can't help keeping others up, but the institutions can find solutions that benefit everyone. Sleep is a major healing agent and older people should not be denied uninterrupted sleep for any reason.
I was told that i had to make a "formal complaint". I said do you have a form or do I need to have my attorney write one up.
Boom!
The family was contacted the same day.
Staff can only medicate a person according to doctor's orders.
Best to ask if you can move Mom to another room and another facility if no rooms are available.
If you are unable to come to an agreement with the Nursing Home, see if a state Ombudsman can help you.
https://ltcombudsman.org/
He ended up paying me to move out.
He paid me to move out. :)