Communication and Care Facilities

Recently I found out that the mental health team had been in to see a client at a nursing home. They had increased the psychiatric medication, meaning she ended up being more drugged.

I spoke to the family about this. They did not know that the team had been in, nor did they know about the change in medication. The facility did not call them, nor, obviously, did they call me.

The increase in medication is a bit questionnable, but after a few weeks, she is still alert and active, and in fact expressing more contentment with being in the facility. It has helped with some of her restlessness a bit, and allowed her to integrate more with the other residents. So, in the end, it did not have a bad outcome.

Could the behaviour have been dealt with in other ways? Maybe. Did it have to be dealt with? Well, again, maybe. The extent of her restlessness and intrusiveness was diffiuclt to handle in this setting, or any other. She is eating better and has made an additional friend.I would say the benefits outweighed the negatives. Certainly, the staff is good with her, they are kind and patient, and it is a nice, but large place.

However--what there is no excuse for , is that they did not keep me or the family informed re the developments in her care. If I hadn't checked today, I would not have known. They had also forgotten to do the blood tests which had to be done following the increase in the medication. I have been pretty clear with them about my involvement, and that I am monitoring her care.

The family is now going to write out a letter to the facility in which they are clear about when they wish to be contacted, and about what subjects. They will also write out a contact process so that the facility knows whom to contact, and in what order.

So for you, if you are family or friends--again a warning: be clear about your expectations, and be clear about what the facility can say they will do.

Otherwise, there will be surprises!