As I left a local nursing facility after visiting a friend, I realized that the events of that day were something I really needed to use for my column this month. Why? Because I would be willing to bet that these are things most of us probably don’t think about!
My friend, Lynn, and I walked into the nursing center where my friend had been for two weeks. I was pleasantly surprised at the look of the reception area that greeted us.
It was bright and airy with round tables to sit with flowers on each with lots of space surrounding the area.
We asked for the room number and directions to our friend’s room and as I walked along the hallway, I glanced into a few rooms with open doors and was very pleased at several things. The rooms were quite large with only one or two beds, all seemed to be immaculate, the staff we spoke to all were friendly and helpful.
However, the smile on my face disappeared as soon as we arrived at our friend’s room. Her bed was almost floor level. She was laying there trying to sleep, yet in a great deal of pain.
I asked her why the bed was so low and she said that she had fallen a few days before when she tried to get up and use the bathroom so staff lowered it. How in heaven’s name can an elderly person who is already in agony from a bad fall stand up from floor level?
Soon thereafter a nurse entered to take a reading of our friend’s blood sugar level since she is diabetic. The reading was 350.
As any diabetic knows, that is very high. I made that comment to the nurse and his reply was that the reading a few hours earlier was higher! Was anything done to lower the blood count? The answer was no.
Lynn and I then asked when was the last time a doctor been in to see her. The answer: not once. We then learned that there was NO DOCTOR on staff!
Our friend gave us her own doctor’s number and Lynn called him right away. After explaining the situation, he arranged for an ambulance to take her to a hospital right away.
I’m not telling you this to complain about the nursing center, but rather to suggest what to check for before placing anyone you care about in a nursing facility, assisted living, group home or any other facility caring in any way for seniors, disabled, or needing care of any kind.
I suggest you take a good look at any medical facility you are considering, check any references, ask about medical care and what emergency abilities they may have to care for their residents.
