Transferring from residential care home to nursing home 2 July 2012 at 6:13PM in Over 50s MoneySaving 5 replies 2.2K views

pmlindyloo

I would be very grateful if anyone could help with this.

My 90 year old mother lives in a residential care home.

A few weeks ago she broke her ankle, went to A&E, and was discharged back to care home.

After 10 days she was admitted to hospital with low oxygen levels, dehydrated, blood clot on lung, water infection (kidneys not functioning properly.)

Now she is medically stable but cannot return to care home as she is immobile.

The hospital are trying to place her in a nursing home for convalescent care for 4 weeks when they hope the plaster can come off. At the moment she is still in hospital. (Hope you're still with me!)

Without going into too much detail the family are not very pleased with her care but our main concern is that when she is out of plaster she will be 'at risk' if she returns to the residential care home.

I know that an assessment will be done - in fact the community nurse assessed her when she first became medically stable and said she was able to be discharged back to the care home - despite the broken ankle being non weight bearing - so have not much faith in her!

The family feel because of her age, increasing immobility, blood clot etc etc her needs would be best placed in a nursing home.

Now......................can we bypass the hospital services (ie the community nurse) and go directly to the adult social services of the authority who funds her, or do we need to go through the hospital services?

Also, has anyone experience of the criteria for admittance to a nursing home?

Thanks for reading if you've got this far - it's all such a worry.

Mojisola

I haven't any advice apart from suggesting that you insist on her moving. She shouldn't have been allowed to get into that state!

pmlindyloo

Mojisola wrote: »

I haven't any advice apart from suggesting that you insist on her moving. She shouldn't have been allowed to get into that state!

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Have taken the bull by the horns and have got in touch with the local authority who is currently funding her. They were very pleasant and sympathetic but need to ring me back (not holding my breath!)

It is all such a mess and you feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall :eek:

The major problem is that no-one at the hospital seems to want to accept responsibility. When there are lots of different 'departments' involved they all seem to blame each other and of course you can never get to speak to anyone - 'not here', 'on holiday', 'we'll ring you back' and guess what?

I know I have several grounds of complaint which I will follow up (if I have the strength ) but in the meantime trying to keep my mum from getting too agitated and traumatised!

clemmatis

Have you asked to see the consultant in charge of your mother's care? If you get fobbed off, ring the consultant's secretary and make an appointment.

Also, I suggest you ring Age UK. They have factsheets on all this (I can't find them online, sorry.)

malid

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Have taken the bull by the horns and have got in touch with the local authority who is currently funding her. They were very pleasant and sympathetic but need to ring me back (not holding my breath!)

It is all such a mess and you feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall :eek:

The major problem is that no-one at the hospital seems to want to accept responsibility. When there are lots of different 'departments' involved they all seem to blame each other and of course you can never get to speak to anyone - 'not here', 'on holiday', 'we'll ring you back' and guess what?

I know I have several grounds of complaint which I will follow up (if I have the strength ) but in the meantime trying to keep my mum from getting too agitated and traumatised!

Just seen your post and although it was some time ago, this thread should be of use:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=800521&page=34

Good luck

pollypenny

Good luck. My father broke his hip in hospital. Full of manly pride , he kept insisting he was fine and could cope at home., of course the hospital, with occupational therapist, was eager to go along with this and discharge him.

I eventually had to write to the CEO of the hospital trust. I your case I would say write to the Director of Social Services if your mother has to be found a place in a nursing home.