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Elderly parents
Original poster

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

56 replies

Mxflamingnoravera · 04/06/2024 21:43

M sitting with my 86 year old mum in her care home. She has a chest infection. She is asleep. Other residents keep coming in and won't leave. Staff are struggling to get them out.
They've got them out now, but I'm scared to leave her because they are going through her stuff and keep coming back.
I need to go to pick up her emergency prescription.
There's no lock on her door so I can't lock it with us both in it.
It's a dementia care unit. What do I do? I'm wishing I'd said yes to hospital admission now when I spoke to a Dr from the emergency card team.
I've never been here at night. I'd be terrified if it were me sick in bed and people kept wandering in and out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 04/06/2024 22:02

Wedge is no use, the door opens outwards.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 04/06/2024 22:00

Oh, ok, I'll get a wedge. I had no idea this happened at night. Now I know why all her stuff keeps disappearing.
Oh no, I can hear one of the most difficult ladies coming back. She pulled back the covers on mums bed and plonked herself down and refused to leave earlier. I wish the pharmacy would call so I can get the antibiotics and get the light off to let her sleep properly.

OP posts:
Hairyfairy01 · 04/06/2024 21:57

They will never allow a stair gate, it's too much of a risk. Unfortunately this isn't uncommon in hospitals either.

Original poster
Mxflamingnoravera · 04/06/2024 21:57

Door wedge or stair gate, both great ideas. I've missed the pharmacy at Tesco they shut at 8. I'm waiting on an emergency team to call me with a location to pick up the dugs.
I feel like a drug addict trying to source my supply!
The visitors have stopped for the time being, it's the sundowners, all in their nightmare.

OP posts:
hatgirl · 04/06/2024 21:52

Ask if they have a stair gate to go across the door. Often it's enough to keep people out if they are just wandering due to confusion.

If you are going to a large supermarket to pick up the prescription they may have one to buy there if the unit doesn't have one.

ilovethesunnydays · 04/06/2024 21:48
  1. Get a lockable box or suitcase, and put her things in there. Keep the key and leave a spare with the office.
  2. Get a rubber door wedge, and when you are in the room with your mum, push it under the door so nobody can come in except if you let them. Then hopefully you can relax a bit when you sit with her.