I work in a Nursing Home - AMA!

[Companion42]

I've been an activity coordinator in a 52 bed nursing home for over 5 years now. Aside from activities and events, I have some experience of inspections - from CHC/CQC, completing audits, how funding works (though not an expert), working with challenging beahviour and supporting students through placements (including those with additional needs).

I've only worked in the one home but do speak to others AC's so know a bit about how it works in other companies too.

Are you worried about being cared for when older? How can we choose a good home for our parents and later ourselves?

Yes, a little bit, Lumene. Partially because the thought of being so vulnerable is sacry in itself and partially because I don't actually enjoy too much company and I think having carers/other staff plus other residents around all the time could be a bit distressing for me.

With regards to choosing a good care home;

• What do you actually want and need? Lots of residents of a similar age/ability level that you can converse with? Support to get out into the local community? Unlimited visiting hours? Bariatric equipment?

• Vist potential homes. More than once if you can. Are they clean? Do you see people actively cleaning? Is there an activity timetable? Can you see them actually happening? Watch the staff interact with residents, are they kind? Can you see the manager? Is the complaints procedure visible? Is there more than food choice available for lunch? Are they happy to show you round at any time or only with advance notice?

• Read the CQC report. It's not a gospel. They can miss things. And they only inspect once a year or less. But it will give you a good indication

• Word of mouth is really useful, especially if you know and trust the person concerned

• Our home will let potential residents visit for the day for lunch/a tour/activities etc. I'm not sure if all care homes do but it's a good idea if possible. Though it is worth bearing in mind that having to move into a home is incredibly tough and the resident may hate it even though it's not a bad home, if that makes sense?

Thank you!

How many residents are genuinely given medication to make them sleep/not react. My grandmother with dementia was pretty alert and awake until she went into a nursing home - quickly slept a lot as did a lot of the other residents with dementia. Not knocking the care given, but rather is this actually done as I suspect?

My friends father had alzheimers he was heavily drugged because of his behaviour my friend believes but does not condemn them, he was a very strong man physically and had sexual appetites that were alarming.

So are you ever afraid of someone living in the home such as this?

Does it upset you when you see undercover footage showing staff being cruel and abusive to residents?

Would you ever want to think you'd end up in a nursing home?

In your home are the windows restricted in how far they can open? And do you have air conditioning/fans in every room? I ask as I work for the ambulance service and virtually every day at least one job will be to a nursing home (there are loads in my area!) Virtually every time the patient will have a raging fever and will be in bed, under a duvet and blanket, windows shut or barely open, room boiling hot and usually wearing a jumper too. It makes me very cross, these people are nurses fgs! Excuses given are regarding the things I've asked so I'm curious if I'm just surrounded by shit homes.

Does someone who requires social services funding get a choice in the home they are placed in?

Kanga I'm not a nurse so I don't give out medication, however I'm confident that we don't do this in our home. As far as I know it used to happen a lot but is now considered bad practice. In fact there's a move towards limiting mediaction where practical. (Through healthy living and engagement not denying people pain relief or anything)

justasking We have had several residents who display very challenging behaviour and yes it can intimidating, especially when they are still quite mobile and strong, yes. Usually, I'm backed up by other staff and I have had some training so have a few tools to work with.

Ginger Yes! I can't imagine anyone not being horrified at that. Well, except the people who do it I suppose. Luckily I've only ever witnessed one example of abusive behaviour and it was dealt with swiftly.

Deemail I'm not sure. I've seen the benefits of them but as I said upthread I'm a bit antisocial and think I's struggle with the communal living no matter how lovely the home. Especially as homes seem to be getting bigger and bigger this days with 80 - 100 residents

Weshould Windows are restricted yes as some residents throw things out of them or may hurt themselves. We do have fans and the communal areas have air conditioning too. Room doors are open more often than not as most residents like to see out so there's usually a breeze flowing through. I have seen some poor decision making skills with regards to clothes/covers in my time though. If you see it I'd bring it up with the nurse/senior/manager, if you're able. You're right, it's not on

Newname Yes, as long as it fits within the budget, so far as I know. Not as much choice as when you're paying for it yourself and it may vary according to location (I'm in the Midlands)