Old peoples home - what would you do

Sarahsaver

I know of an elderly lady who had to be taken into hospital because her 60+ bedded retirement home had no oxygen cylinders left!
Who would deal with this? Social services? I think it is disgusting. Shes not a family member so I dont want to interfere but surely running a home like that is dangerous?

trafalgar_2

Bad management I would say,the family need to speak to the home and find out what went wrong.

margaretclare

It depends what type of a home it is. If it's a nursing home that's different, but if it's a residential home for the elderly then I wouldn't expect them to have oxygen cylinders. They wouldn't have staff on site who knew how to deal with oxygen cylinders, for a start, there are fire regulations, all kinds of things.

Oxygen is normally prescribed for the person who needs it e.g. if you have a resident with long-standing chest problems. It wouldn't be there as routine, or I wouldn't expect so.

Margaret

Luis

I have worked in Residential and Nursing homes in the past (as a nurse) the most recently in 2001, and I have to say that despite the HUGE fees they charge (I am currently paying top up fees for my Grandpa, along with my Mum, brother and uncle) they exist on a hand-to-mouth type existence.

To the extent that the last one I worked in - I had to take my own pen in! they would not supply anything! To be fair, new regulations have put such restrictions on things like room sizes, staff training, meals etc that they cut costs in places that aren't regulated, meaning little luxuries such as oxygen (being ironic, please don't take offence) get missed.

I think the only comfort you can draw from this Sarahsaver, is to think that at least your friend will have been taken to hospital, and received care there - at least they were aware she was poorly, needed treatment they couldn't give and arranged it so she could get it.

These sorts of shortcomings are as a result of the Government's attitude to old age care - out of sight, out of mind, which is frankly disgusting. My family pay massive top up fees, so my Grandpa can be in a nice home. if we didn't, the range of places available to him was appalling - this is for someon who has contributed to the NI and Tax his whole working life, was a dentist and never took a penny in handouts, and fought in the war for his country.

Sorry to rant, but it winds me up.

Luis.

Sarahsaver

Me too I just hope my kids are around if and when I am old. I think the home is more of a nursing home, that is to say most of the people in it require medical help. The 'Social Services' only provide 5 incontinence pads a day. Its appalling. You go ahead and rant Luis, I will join you.