not sure if care home did the right thing

[MrsJackAubrey]

my elderly mum moved to a care home a month ago. After 3 days the care home sent her to hospital saying they were concerned about her warferin.
The hospital found nothing amiss and were going to send her back.
My lovely mum then promptly fell out of bed and broke her wrist... meaning a stay of some 3 weeks in hospital.

Now she's back in the care home.

My question is, did the care home do the right thing? It stings like hell to know we've paid the best part of 3.5 thousand pounds for 3 weeks of care home which she didn't use.

Any views?

[dementedpixie]

It's not their fault she fell out of bed.

[GerardNoWay]

I'm not sure why you think they did the wrong thing?

They were concerned, so sent her to hospital, and she was discharged. Then she fell out of bed. Do you think the care home should have put in measures to stop this from happening? Do you think they have neglected her in anyway?

[dementedpixie]

And was she in hospital when she fell out of bed?

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

If the care home had concerns they were right to get her checked out by medics. Surely you would be happier that they are vigilant and responded rapidly to any health concerns rather than potentially leave your mum in deteriorating health.

It's unfortunate that she fell and broke her wrist but the care home cant be to blame.

[fluffygal]

Adult Social Worker here- They did the right thing sending her to hospital. However, I would check what they are doing with regards to the fall- are there appropriate risk assessments in place? Have the home reassessed following the fall and put things in place to minimise it happening again? There are different options dependent on her capacity and mobility- bed sides, crash mat or pressure mat which alerts carers to her getting up could all prevent further accidents.

[GerardNoWay]

Sorry, just realised she was in hospital when she fell out of bed.

Is it more about the money?

Do you think the care home should not have charged you for the care home? Presumably they have a duty of care to refer to hospital, but will keep a space for your mum for when she comes back.

[dementedpixie]

OP said the hospital were going to send her back so I took that to mean that she fell out of bed in hospital

[Moreisnnogedag]

Hmm I think it depends actually. What were their concerns about her warfarin? Because surely contacting the GP would have been the most appropriate step? If GP had concerns and sent to hospital that would be a different matter.

I'm not trying to be insensitive but has your mom got dementia or is a bit 'difficult' or challenging to care for? I can't work out the delay of three weeks following a wrist fracture. I know sometimes they want to redo a risk assessment but a delay of that long might indicate they were trying to purposive lt delay things.

[Helenluvsrob]

Health care worker here. Not able to foment on the rights/ wrongs if initial admission except to say you don't mess about with concerns re warfarin.

Re long admission with a wrist fracture - upper limb fractures are disproportionately disabling when mixed with dementia. I have seen this 1st hand when visiting my dad in his home. I saw 3 different fellow residents with wrist fractures and dementia in the 10 months. They can't use sticks / frames so fall lots and all 3 took their own casts off , which must have hurt like hell, but also was amazingly clever considering how intellectually impaired they were !

Has your mum had her warfarin re assessed?thoughts have evolved recently but there is a point at which the risk/ benefit is such that it should be stopped.

You can't hold the home responsible for a fall in hospital ... and you will need to pay to keep her room, I'm afraid.

Good luck. It's a tough place yo be.