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Covid

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Original poster

Covid in nursing homes

22 replies

ShitOnIt00 · 06/12/2020 22:45

My DF is 90 and is in a nursing home due to dementia. It’s been an awful year as we have hardly been able to visit at all. We were informed that he has tested positive on a routine test but has no symptoms. He is on day 6 since the test. The home haven’t been very helpful in communicating with us at all and my DM is really upset as she feels helpless.
Has anybody else had elderly relatives who have had covid and been completely fine? After a hand hold as really worried.

OP posts:

TooOldforBouncyCastles · 06/12/2020 22:51

I have some experience. 6 residents in my family members care homes had Covid without symptoms. All survived

Original poster

ShitOnIt00 · 06/12/2020 22:52

I should add that I’m pissed off that he caught covid from a carer. I don’t know if I’m being harsh but I feel like they mustn’t have been using proper PPE.

OP posts:

Shitzngiggles · 06/12/2020 22:53

My 80 year old mum had it, barely noticed any symptoms and absolutely fine now.

Doje · 06/12/2020 23:11

DH has just been taking about this! Everyone in his Nan's care home, staff and residents, have tested positive. His Nan is 95 and has no symptoms. Apparently very few have symptoms at all, only a couple of residents have a slight cough.

Sewsosew · 06/12/2020 23:14

Someone in DHs work. Their elderly GP had tested positive and was furious at being made to isolate as their was ‘nothing wrong with them’.
It’s the randomness of the illness, just as some older people aren’t ill, some younger people can get extremely ill.

Original poster

ShitOnIt00 · 06/12/2020 23:17

So worried that he may still develop symptoms. Feeling reassured by these responses!

OP posts:

Bapple · 06/12/2020 23:18

My grandmother is 101, she has tested positive and has no symptoms. Many residents of the same care home have tested positive but are showing no symptoms.

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/12/2020 23:21

How do you know he got it from a carer???

Looneytune253 · 06/12/2020 23:22

I know it's hard to not be angry but PPE would only prevent so much and I don't think the carer would have been there if they had any inkling they might have covid

Scarby9 · 06/12/2020 23:23

My next door neighbours uncle, 97, with a number of health issues, had it. Under the weather for three or four days then absolutely fine again since May.

crimsonlake · 06/12/2020 23:23

You are very wrong to assume a carer brought it in, it could have been one of the residents who actually had a hospital visit for instance.
I work in sheltered accomodation and a resident brought it in following a hospital visit.
That said we also have had several residents test positive, some with no symptoms, others with slight symptoms. All recovered.

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/12/2020 23:25

We have to wear masks at all time, as well as gloves and aprons when we do personal care.

PrivateD00r · 06/12/2020 23:46

Was very sympathetic until the carer comment came up. Those carers are working flat out to care for your DF in pretty scary conditions. 'PPE' is not some magic barrier, it is a paper mask and a plastic apron. Lots of us have caught covid from patients whilst wearing it so of course it can go the other way

CrocodilesCry · 07/12/2020 00:02

My DGM (90) has it. She tested positive two weeks ago.

She's had a bad cough and was prescribed ABs before she had a test back showing she was positive - most of the residents and staff also tested positive.

She has improved after feeling quite poorly the first week. We don't really know when to stop worrying but she seems well enough for now and is eating and drinking.

The home say they think district nurses brought it in but they can't know that - any member of care home staff could have bought it into the home. It's nobody's fault and you shouldn't be angry at them.

fallfallfall · 07/12/2020 04:14

A family members sister was ill and positive, as a primary caregiver to her 90 year old mother they tested the elder. She had antibodies had obviously had it unbeknown to anyone has severe dementia never even complained.

Original poster

ShitOnIt00 · 07/12/2020 06:22

@vodkaredbullgirl

How do you know he got it from a carer???

It’s my assumption based on the fact that he is bed bound, hasn’t left his room for over a year and they only tested the residents after a carer tested positive. Now most of the staff are off and they won’t disclose how many residents have tested positive.

I am a little bitter because prior to Covid I watched a staff member move from room to room wearing the same gloves and apron doing personal care. I was shocked and just can’t get it out of happy head. Additionally, when I dropped things off a couple of weeks ago, I stood waiting for a carer to answer the door for 15 mins while my husband sat in the car watching her on her phone in the lounge with her feet up.

It isn’t a carer bashing posts but probably is a bitter post about the actual nursing home. I work in healthcare so I realise the limitations of PPE.

OP posts:

Pomegranatespompom · 07/12/2020 06:48

Well maybe she was on her break?

Hope your Dad stays well.

crimsonlake · 07/12/2020 09:35

Exactly the carer may have been on her break.
As for waiting 15 minutes for the door to be answered do you have any idea how busy carers are actually caring for your family member and others in the home?
Did you arrive at a bad time, mealtimes etc? Do you want them to drop everything for you and run to the door?

Original poster

ShitOnIt00 · 07/12/2020 10:24

No, I don't expect anyone to drop anything. But she wasn't on her break. I asked her when she came to the door (I said, sorry if you're on your break but could I please leave these items for my Dad?). She said she wasnt on her break. So yes, I do expect her to get up and come to the door. I asked why she hadn't come when she saw me arrive and she said she assumed I'd let myself in. I asked how when the NH is closed. She said 'oh, they keep changing the rules about visitors'. Which they don't, there has been no visiting since September.
She the contradicted herself and said she thought I was speaking to my relative through the window... of the room she was sat in?
It was not a meal time. I don't expect anybody to drop anything and run to the door.

OP posts:

user1471588124 · 07/12/2020 10:35

Its terrible, but when you pay people minimum wage for a job you simply cant excpect maximum effort imo.

Frazzled2207 · 07/12/2020 10:36

Sorry you're in your situation.
Obviously completely anecdotal but I know of a 99 year old with lots of underlying conditions who ended up being a little poorly for a few days but made a total recovery and is wondering what all the fuss is about.

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/12/2020 12:02

My DF, 98, underlying heart condition, tested positive two weeks running back in May. Fatigue and off his food, no other symptoms. Completely recovered.

Even with good PPE, I'd have thought there was still a risk of transmission, bearing in mind how intimate the care is for residents with dementia. And just because the carer had her feet up doesn't mean to say that it was a personal call.

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