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Elderly parents

Why has the care home been so stupid? <grr>

7 replies

DwightDFlysenhower · 24/12/2023 11:20

Normal disclaimer that they look after DGM very well, I definitely couldn't do it. Care home specialising in dementia, one big building with multiple smaller locked "sections" based on needs.

But why, especially just before Christmas if somebody in one section gets a D&V bug do they let the carers move between them? They lock down if 4+ have it apparently, but that just means they don't let visitors in.

Now it's in every section, two are locked down, my DGM's still isn't. She's had the bug for four days now.

DF is upset that she can't come and says he's going to eat Christmas dinner there, so he's probably going to catch it. She can't come here, she's not well and a bit haphazard with continence at the best of times which is manageable, but not infectious liquid diarrhoea when we have the house full, including two 90+ relatives.

He and DM are arguing about it (he feels guilty he didn't spot that she had Alzheimer's earlier so she had a couple of pretty miserable years struggling at home), I'm preparing beds for DSiblings to arrive because he's said Christmas is spoiled so isn't doing anything now (I came last week, so have been here for all this) and wanted to rant.

Surely their approach basically guarantees the spread. I understand it's very difficult to stop it when it's in a section, because the residents mostly aren't very good with hand hygiene/continence/using each others walking frames etc.

But they basically have multiple Typhoid Marys going around!

OP posts:
Krampussy · 24/12/2023 11:23

It's probably as simple as they just don't have enough carers unfortunately.

DwightDFlysenhower · 24/12/2023 11:26

I don't mean that it's any better at other times of year, but at Christmas there will be more people going in and out so spreading it is more likely.

I just wish they'd locked down the first section (or even the whole home!) a fortnight ago when it first appeared and let it die out or run through everybody, not this half-and-half approach which just seems to drag it out over a longer timescale.

OP posts:
DwightDFlysenhower · 24/12/2023 11:30

Krampussy · 24/12/2023 11:23

It's probably as simple as they just don't have enough carers unfortunately.

You're probably right, and they are doing their best.

I just want to stamp my feet, and be cross at somebody though! Perhaps I've regressed a being at home. Grin

I do still think it's a silly approach to spread it between sections where a lot of them are elderly, have continence and/or mobility issues anyway. Just making more work and risking more people getting ill.

OP posts:
DwightDFlysenhower · 24/12/2023 11:30

I'll have my whinge and then try to get my Christmas spirit back. Xmas Smile

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AvengedQuince · 24/12/2023 11:35

Probably lack of carers means they don't have a choice. Like when I worked in care we were working with symptomatic 'flu as there were not enough agency staff to cover.

olderbutwiser · 24/12/2023 11:40

I could never understand why when my mum's home had some D&V they wanted to keep ME out while they passed it round each other. I mean, they were the ones with the problem, I was only going to go to Mum's room to see Mum then straight out again. My risk if I caught it. I wasn't going to spread it anywhere. (I successfully argued this)

EmotionalBlackmail · 25/12/2023 15:54

How big are the sections? Unless they're BIG they probably don't have housekeeping staff, laundry and cooks per section even if they manage it with carers. D and V bugs are horribly contagious so I imagine it's a nightmare keeping it from spreading.

I can see it's annoying but I bet it's shortage of staff.

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