I am back home with more questions than answers. Evidently it was not just the UTI that was Mom's problem. They also had Mom on a narcotic based cough syrup and were giving her Halcion for sleep. She was so out of it this weekend that she could not walk. Needless to say I discontinued both of these medications and it was not long before she woke up. I will bet money that is the reason for her fall rather than the UTI.

I also found out that they were waking her up to giving her Fosamax at 6 am while she was still in bed and then letting her go back to sleep immediately afterwards even though the instructions specifically say that she needs to sit or stand for 30 minutes following this med due to potential esophageal problem. I also discontinued this med while I was there. She has had four rounds of antibiotics since mid December and three of them were the same exact prescription. Now she has major digestive problems including refulx and has been unable to eat and even has trouble taking crushed meds in apple sauce.

When I got back home and researched their medication bills I found out that Dad had been switched from Namenda and Aricept to Cerfolin even though he has anemia and a history of ulcers and for some reason he is not getting his Prilosec for his ulcers, Plavix which is his blood thinner, and Pletal for his leg circulation.

They took Dad off Remerol and Ativan because he was sleeping too much and then put him right back on it.

His monitoring devide is attached to a bulky gold chain with coated wire that is crimped together. I know why he tried to cut it off. It was scratching Mom while they slept. I don't think he needs it to start with and it is definitely unacceptable as it is.

My sister is fearful that I am going to piss off people. I did the best I could while I was there and have informed her of my other questions. I may be headed back if she doesn't act and fast and I will probably piss off people!

It has not been a good 4 days.....

Love, deb

Thank you Martha, Sunny, and Ibake!! I managed to get through the 5 days I was there, discontinue the Fosamax, narcotic cough syrup, sleeping pill. and so much more tactfully. I was only stern with one MedTech but that was after she was rude and upset Mom. I had to pull out that look which said.... don't mess with me this morning..... and she backed off. For the most part the staff has been incredible. My only complaint is with their Wellness Center. I was still able to work with them while I was there. I just figured out really quickly who to talk to. I worked in LTC and know what they are going through so I tried to be considerate. I gave back more than I ask for while I was there and was always full of praise. Several times I was ask to help with other patients because they knew I was willing. Before I left they offered me a job. I can handle the staff. That is just my sister's fear that I will piss somebody off. The people I was talking about pissing off was my sister because I am no longer there and there is a care meeting on Dad Thursday that they can handle this. I do not want to have to make that 6 hour round trip to do it myself.

Dad's monitor is on his wrist, not his ankle. It looks like an oversized ID bracelet with that crimped coated wire sticking out. It has the long slits for a band just as you mentioned Ibake but that is not what it is on with. I have also suggested to my sister that she mention at the care meeting that they find something different to secure it to him or do away with it completely. Again, that is up to my sister to address at the care meeting. I actually know what happened when he went out the front door and it was just a matter of confusion rather than trying to leave. He never wonders far from Mom but she didn't feel well, sent him to the mailbox, and he knew he was looking for something from me. So he went outside thinking I was coming. I truly believe he would have waited right by the door.

I did talk to Mom a few minutes ago and she doesn't understand why her back hurts. I explained again what happened to her and when I finished she said.... "I knew that". Then I found out that my sister had taken her to the grocery store today knowing she had a hair appointment this afternoon. Being her first full day up and out she is exhausted, hurting, and has order supper in her room. ::shaking head::: I truly wish I was closer.....

Sunny... I am sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your Mother. I have spend time with Dad twice when he ripped out his IV. Hospital psychosis is truly a problem for those that are confused anyway. If it makes you feel better, once we got him back where he belonged he was much better.

It is just so frustrating........

Love, deb

[FONT="Fixedsys"][SIZE="4"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Hi Deb, you sure are going through a rough time. Are the nurses at he home allowed to change your dads' medications without a Drs approval? Or was it the Drs decision in the first place? Mums' Dr took her off Fosamax because it causes confusion and also Diptopan (for the bladder). There are so many meds that our loved ones need but a lot of them cause confusion.
I can be very tactless at times too, especially when it comes down to Mum or any of my children or grandchildren, I am known to react first and then ask questions....not a good idea!!
I hope you can get your Dads' meds sorted out and everything settles down for you.
Hugs
Gayl[/FONT]

Thank you Mood. Meds should only be changed by the doctor and I made sure I saw her about Mom on Monday. I did tell her of my concerns about the Fosamax and she agreed, discontinuing that med. Mom should have never been given it laying down but that is done and I did handle that. Now we just need to find out exactly what is going on with her esophogus and take care of that. I will never be able to prove it was the Fosomax but I will always know that played a part.

Ibake, Dad has a care meeting today at 3pm. I actually have three sisters and two of them are where Mom and Dad are. I talked to my other sister that is there, she has the information that I discovered, and will be at the care meeting. I am going to give the two of them an opportunity before I jump in it again. I am glad I have sisters to share this with but sometimes I do wonder if it makes it easier or more complicated. It would be better if I was closer.

Thank you for your reassurance Ibake. I try to keep it together but there are times I feel like I am grabbing at air and this board has been my place to fall apart and gain strength to go on. It is so nice to be able to explain a situation and somebody truly understand why I am shaking my head. Birds of a feather of flocked together here and I just hope I give back half of what all of you have given me and continue to give me. I do feel like I have the network behind me. Thank you each and every one.....

Love, deb