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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

600 old people die of thirst (todays headline)

75 replies

GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 13:31

I would guess its about old peoples homes.

But I have not had time to read it in the Mail.

On friday in the D.E tab there was anothet puzzler "Police Afraid of the Dark"

This was a story about the police not policing a park

You do get some unusual headlines in the papers

OP posts:
ilovemyhens · 31/01/2011 13:34

I work in a care home and they're usually so short staffed that it's extremely difficult to get enough fluids into everybody Sad esp. the people who can't feed themselves.

We have only three care assistants and one nurse for 30 residents on a back shift. We just end up firefighting and never really achieve anything other than the minimum standard of care. I'm not making excuses, but it's very tough and I often go home feeling upset.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 31/01/2011 13:37

I love, I did a couple of shifts in NH's just before we left England. I told the agency I wouldn't do any more.
They are generally, woefully understaffed and, IME the squeaky wheel gets the oil. those with relatives who can complain get superior care.
Tragic but true.

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 13:37

Ilovemyhens yours is a very moving story.
Thank you for telling us. "Gabby"

OP posts:
Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 13:39

Kreech. Another revealing story. True indeed. "Gabby"

OP posts:
ilovemyhens · 31/01/2011 13:39

kreecher, this is very true sadly. There'd be a national outcry if people knew the truth.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 31/01/2011 13:40

Shit, I didn't realise you were the OP.

TattyDevine · 31/01/2011 13:59

Wasn't random enough eh Kreech Grin

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 14:50

I think it is importand that people should know the truth about old peoples homes. (There will be some first rate one,)

But the BBC did some secret filming in homes and hospitals 5 or 6 years ago.

And it created an uproar; because awful things were going on. "Gabby"

OP posts:
2rebecca · 31/01/2011 14:53

And your AIBU is? Are you just bored?

Piggyleroux · 31/01/2011 14:57

My nipple abcess is much better now.

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 14:58

one liner posters are a sign of boredon ,2rebecca.

And words are prefereable to acronyms

But good luck anyway. "Gabby"

OP posts:
Maelstrom · 31/01/2011 15:02

In old people homes and of those that still live in their own houses.

I know an old lady who could not take baths/showers any more as she couldn't walk into the bath. She soiled the bed/sofa/chairs/carpet every night/day. And as she also suffered alzeimers, she would tell the carers that she was going out for lunch, which meant she spend days without having a proper meal.

What did the council say? Oh, she is still able to care of herself on her own, will send 3 teenagers carers a day to help her out. They helped so well that they failed to realise the central heating wasn't working for 2 weeks, she had not eaten properly for weeks, and even with the stench of the urine, nobody noticed that this poor lady had not had a wash in months.

I pray so I get a quick unexpected death, hopefully in my 70s. Honest.

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 15:03

Do you work in an old peoples home, Piggy?
Why not tell us about it, good or bad?

You dont risk the sack operating under a nickname, cheers "Gabby"

OP posts:
Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 15:08

Maelstrom: what a shocking story you tell.

Such dreadful incidents need bringing out into the open. That is the best way of getting something done about it.

There is no need to despair because a lot of people do good work on before of the elderly and disabled. "Gabby"

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 31/01/2011 15:13

If you mean 'dehydration' then it can happen quite easily and does not automatically mean neglect. An old man that I know... not in a care home, quite independent... has taken to drinking tiny amounts of water because, like a lot of people his age, doesn't like to be up and down all the time to the loo. His wife keeps offering drinks but gets very frustrated at the 'you can lead a horse to water etc...' situation.

Mists · 31/01/2011 15:14

"Shit, I didn't realise you were the OP"

Grin
BerylStreep · 31/01/2011 15:15

Gabby,
Are you a journo looking for material?
I can't quite see the point of this in AIBU.

kenobi · 31/01/2011 15:21

Beryl, Gabby is a AIBU 'character' who posts here because of its high volume of traffic as far as I can tell.

Seriously, don't expect sense from his postings or their positioning. Just enjoy the surreality or ignore like a troll.

(Although like Kreecher this one was so normal I too was fooled Grin)

brightlightsandpromise · 31/01/2011 15:21

I truely hope that this is a serious post and not an effort to take the piss.

My father was at the mercy of a care home, he had alzheimers and my mum could no longer care for him at home. Don't even get me started on the catalogue of neglect. Short staffed? Well yeah, i guess because the owner wanted to keep the profit for himself i suppose.

We complained, they ignored us, we complained to social services, they ignored us, lobbyed our MP, ignored us.

some of the things:-

Staff, bone idle and rude (i dont know where they got them from but christ they were vile, all young, all like bloody catherine tate am i bovvered girl - all english i hasten to add).

No interaction with the "inmates" - when we raied this, we were told "ther are board games in that cupboard but they aren't interested" Errrm, thats because they can't remember who they are, why they are there, because they cant wipe their own arses because they HAVE GOT FUCKING DEMENTIA, they can't fucking play cluedo FFS.

The meals - an evening meals of sandwiches and nothing else. On christmas day we visisted my dad having been advised not to bring him home because it will distress him. To ask had he enjoyed his xmas dinner - no, he didnt want it - Really? because it was on the side in his bedroom and when we fed it to him............then they bought the xmas tea, fucking jam sandwiches, if i hadn't have seen it with my own eyes i woudlnt have believed it, that was it, jam sandwhiches or jam sandwhiches. Alcohol on the breath of the staff.

My Dad was filthy, they lost his railway body warmer which was like his comfort blanket, ith british rail emblazoned all over it, his name on it. HOW did they lose that?

Because we complained, he was evicted and we had to put him in a home away from our home town which was two bus journeys away, my mum made this journey every day. Thankfully this place was so much better, mostly indian staff who fell over themselves to CARE! they gave a shit you know. A manager who was interested. Didnt help much though because my dad was only there for two weeks before he collapsed with a tumour on his lung (un diagnosed).

There is every need to dispair!!

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 15:22

Beryl Streep I like your nickname...But if you have no interest in the subject why not just play patience,.....Journalist are already busy researching the subject. And mumsnet is part of the story. Please read some of the posters with personal tales to tell...

(Joke) I cant see the point of your acronyms. cheers, anyway. "Gabby"

OP posts:
brightlightsandpromise · 31/01/2011 15:24

This is a troll posting?? really? I hope not as it is an issue that needs airing, but if it is, OP you are very sick, you need help

BeerTricksPotter · 31/01/2011 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mutznutz · 31/01/2011 15:26

Do you have "Gabby" as an automatic setting OP, or is it something you have to paste at the end of each post?

I keep meaning to ask out of curiosity?

Original poster
GabbyLoggon · 31/01/2011 15:26

Brightlightsand promise.

this is a very serious post in my view.

And thank you for telling your story. It chills my blood.

(and I trust the misguided jokers will read it.) "Gabby"

OP posts:
brightlightsandpromise · 31/01/2011 15:28

If this is not a troll then i am very very sorry gabby. I reported the OP as it seemed that everyone was saying that you have a history for doing this. Bit confused. Anyway, apologies if so.