What to expect from nursing home

[user13275052]

DParent has just gone into a nursing home, 10 days ago, with Alzheimer's and an ongoing serious health issue. It was an emergency admission as the person who looks after him was taken ill so I didn't have time to look at places or research what normally happens.

I've not had a care plan or anything like that for DP to manage their long-term illness, is this something I should expect?

I've also not had an information pack or anything (I asked) so I don't know who manages Dr's appointments, what to do with laundry, they've not asked for anything from me about him except meds. I haven't had many updates and there's no app or anything to see records.

Any advice welcome as I feel like I've just dumped him and I'm worried he's not being looked after. Staff are nice when I visit - if you can find anyone.

I would ask to speak with the manager, are you listed as poa or next of kin, they must have some information to have admitted your parent maybe from the carer, was that a family member, who arranged the admission, payments etc, . Care homes usually do the laundry but, clothes do need labelling as they go missing. Is it a nursing or residential home.

Is it a long term admission or emergencg respite?

Long-term nursing care is likely because of carer's health and it was time anyway.

Social services arranged it because of the circumstances but I approved it as POA. I've been chasing them for everything even a towel in his room and I'm starting to feel like I'm making a nuisance of myself. I don't want them to take it out on him or ask him to leave as he has complex needs that can't easily be met.

As poa you need to be fully informed of his care, finances, careplan, medical and nursing needs, is there a manager, you can speak to the social worker who arranged the admission. Is the home suitable for his needs, is it a nursing home with registered nurses, what complex needs. Do you have both p.o.a. I would expect to have been involved in the admission, signing documents, agreeing the careplan.

It's a nursing home so it has registered nurses.

I know what he needs medically.

I manage finances - I have POA and it is active. I have signed a DoL order.

I have asked whether I should have received any additional paperwork and have been told the nurse will "get in touch". I feel fobbed off - what specific paperwork or other information should I ask for in addition to a care plan?

Do you have health and welfare p.o,a. If they asked you to sign a dols you need that I think, they are suggesting he lacks capacity so should have had a capacity assessment. His folder should have all his personal info, poa or nok, medical history and list of medication, a detailed care needs assessment and careplan, risks of falls, eating and drinking , mobility, pressure area risk, continence. Personal evacuation plan for emergencies, resus and gp plan for treatment. He should have been seen by a gp or at least the practice nurse and assigned a gp. There will be a financial and T&C contract. Have they got a website and are registered with the cqc.

Thank you @MissMoneyFairy Might anyone else have experience of the kind of information you normally get from a care or nursing home when someone is admitted?

Didn’t get any info offered, but when I asked, I was given a copy of a very full care plan. And I’ve seen it more recently, with regular dated updates.

what I was asked for was lots of information about his likes and dislikes, and they have paid attention to these, for example, filling in his own spreadheet each time they gave him a tablet, as well as their own record.

You should be able to see the care plan I think (to be fair I haven't asked yet. Good idea).

I got some general information about facilities, activities, times of meals etc.

Don't be afraid to look around - people do move homes, though it's not something to do too lightly. I would prioritise somewhere with a manager you like and can talk to. I've found a small home to be infinitely easier than a really big one, though there are always downsides, the perfect home probably doesn't exist.

Dad’s in a small home. What I like is that everyone - manager, nurses, carers, cooks, laundry lady, activity coordinator - knows my father, and also knows me. Manager is very hands-on, and always ready to talk and answer questions. Staff appear happy - that’s important, I think.

Manager does what she can to make my father happy. She got a blind for his room because he was worried about privacy, one of those touch sensitive table lights because he couldn’t manage the switch, printed various “documents” and “contracts” to make him feel more secure.