Mum ill in care home. Residents keep coming in and won't go away

We had a stair gate put on Dads door ( he was bed bound with dementia )
we just climbed over it , luckily the residents who wandered around couldn’t do that

hope your mum is comfortable now @Mxflamingnoravera

That's shocking. My Mil does complain that people take stuff but I just thought it was a symptom of her dementia and it wasn't real. I need to check her supplies. For £2,000 a week I would want her not to be bothered if she was ill and for them to keep others out of the room.

My mum was in a nursing home, they put an alarm sensor pad in the doorway to her room which alerted staff if someone stood on it.
Her wedding ring was stolen off her finger, please don't leave anything of value with your mum.
I hope she gets better soon x

edited because you've moved on. Well done for making progress there.

That sounds absolutely exhausting. You did really well in a difficult situation. It doesn't sound like reasoning would have done any good with the wandering residents!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your understanding of how tough being a care worker can be, people are doing their best but it's not easy. And also that you seem like a lovely, caring person. I hope your mum is ok.

Sometimes there are 3 staff on shift for 35 residents

I’m not surprised, as I have had family members in care homes, and volunteer in one, but why is this shocking ratio allowed, especially in dementia facilities? Is there no minimum requirement in care homes? No wonder they are such dire and degrading places.

I used to work in a dementia care home and sadly this is very common. Residents who were confused and unsettled would wander into others' rooms and also get into their bed on occasion.

It was very frustrating for both residents and relatives when items would go missing too.
Sometimes there are 3 staff on shift for 35 residents and it can be hard to contain all residents as such, but my sympathy is with you and I really hope you find a solution.

Nothing v helpful to suggest. The wanderers will be fascinated by your presence, Nora. They possibly wouldn’t be so interested if it was only DM.
The care team when they are doing the night time toilet run are a bit over stretched. It just takes a toilet accident elsewhere for staff to be over stretched.
The care team need to invent another distraction to head them off the scent and go elsewhere.
Annoying about 8.01.
Yoy will be shattered.

It definitely happens in hospitals as well. I used to wake up and find someone in my bed space looking through my stuff on the cabinet top. Someone I know had another patient climb in her bed and wee on her!

the pressure sensor is a good idea. Definitely complain and say they need to safeguard your mum.

Oh my word you poor thing - you are doing a great job and your Mum is lucky to have you. Keep on keeping on and all that. Hope the MaccyDs is ok.

Hospitals are no better, both my parents had issues with this.

You could get a doorstop alarm, not to use for the door, but if someone brushes past it, or knocks it with their foot, a very loud alarm will sound.

I'm so sorry you and your mum are going through this.

I’m a bit confused about the antibiotics. Why is it your responsibility to fetch them? What does the care home do if any of their residents require antibiotics, but don’t have a handy family member to run around getting hold of them?

Your poor mum. They are coming into her private bedroom? That is not on, I know many have cognitive issues and can’t help it but this is a safeguarding issue - your mum needs to rest and recover in privacy.

You really can't be using stair gates in this situation. Firstly you have DoLs. Then you have the draft they are designed for children in terms of weight loading and also have the potential of causing more injury if people (staff or residents) climb over them. Then I guess there is the fire risk.

I'm genuinely sorry to hear about your mum OP, unfortunately this is not uncommon either in care homes or hospitals. It is very difficult for staff to manage, they cannot man handle residents obviously and trying to reason with them is basically impossible. Do have a chat with the person in charge about your concerns. They know the other residents and may be able to assure you that certain times are more 'settled'.

Not the care homes I've been to allow stair gates.

Managers are not there at night, speak to the senior in charge. Stair gate you can't use, H&S. Pressure mat, door alarm to alert staff.

Stair gates are frequently used in care homes.

They absolutely need a risk assessment before they are used just like bed rails etc, but they can be used where appropriate. It wouldn't be appropriate if any of the residents who tend to wander would also try and climb over them, but as a general visual barrier to a room they can be effective.

Speak to the manager / senior staff on duty about your concerns. They may have a stair gate or a sensor mat they could put in the doorway that would alert staff if anyone goes in her room.

This is outrageous. The staff need to be keeping these strangers out!

Hospitals are horrific places these days. I've spent many times seriously ill dealing with drunks, drug addicts, serious mental health patients and there's zero peace or privacy. The care home staff need to be on this. It's stressful enough. Having been incredibly vulnerable many times and unable to even do anything, I'd rather be in that care home than the hospital. I hope there's some sort of call bell for her.

Your mum deserves some privacy and dignity. Have you spoken with the manager?