ideas for pureed food for an adult please

lessonlearned

Thanks. I'll look out for those. I assume they can be found on the baby foods section.

greenbee

When my mother needed a high-calorie diet, we fed her a lot of avocado, ricotta and mascarpone. We also found that being ill affected her appetite, so didn't give her too much at a time, tried to make it look attractive (difficult with puree - but at least if you're feeding your OH you can tell him what it is - hopefully the carers don't leave him to guess!) and looked for strong flavours as they seemed to work better. How about using blue cheese? A stilton mousse, or maybe even a risotto?

Maybe you should write up some of your recipes for the cook - and perhaps have some instructions about serving the components of the meal separately stuck up prominently by your OH's bed. After all, if the carers learn from you this will benefit their other clients too.

lessonlearned

I thought about putting a notice over his bed about keeping food items separate the other day. I caught a new Carer mushing his food up. When I asked her not to she expressed astonishment.

She actually said that other patients preferred to have their food mushed together. I pointed out that patients should be treated as individuals and that it was better to ask their preference rather than just making assumptions.

She was genuinely mortified that it hadn't occurred to her to ask first.

You do have to wonder sometimes.;)

My mother is also in a nursing home. Unfortunately her carers don't seem as good as my OH's team. My mum was in the day room but I popped into her room to fetch her something. Her room stank of urine. Lord only knows how long she had been sleeping under a stinking duvet. I blew a gasket!!!

Two days later my sister found my mother's soiled underwear left lying around in her bathroom.

We've now made a formal complaint and have requested a meeting with the manager next week.

I don't care how short staffed they are - That was totally unacceptable
The food in her home is actually ok. However I find the casual neglect for her personal care and comfort deeply upsetting.

Would they subject their own mother's to such disrespect. :mad:

Ps not sure how the icon at the top of the post appeared. Just ignore it.....

whitewing

Argos do a mattress protector, duvet protector and pillow protector set for £12.99 (for a double, not sure about single bed). May be worth getting that for your mum to at least protect the duvet.

lessonlearned

I just did a search for duvet protectors on the
Argos site but drew a blank. Plenty of mattress protectors.

whitewing

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerm/waterproof+bed+protector+set.htm

It is on as a waterproof bed protector set.

lessonlearned

Thank you so much for the link.

whitewing

ll, is it possible that your mother has a urinary tract infection? I'm only asking as you said the room stank. I know it can if it's left but my DD (obviously a different generation) can wet the bed and it isn't a stench.

lessonlearned

She had a uti three weeks ago, which tells us how long that duvet was in use......

Unfortunately I can only manage to see my mum every couple of weeks because I need to spend most of my time with my husband.

My dad just doesn't spot these issues, although he visits her every day.

whitewing

You can only do your best. Is there a trusted friend of your mother's that could keep a closer eye on things and liaise directly with you or write it down for your dad to tell you

This is from the ageuk continence guide. You could talk to ageUk before your meeting, if you haven't already done so.

Help in care homes
If you are about to move into a care home and have continence needs, they
should be considered by a health professional with specialist knowledge of
continence issues as part of your overall needs assessment. Your care plan
should explain how your needs should be met. The effectiveness of your
treatment and management programme should be monitored and amended
as appropriate.
If the assessment indicates you need specialist continence supplies or
products and you meet local eligibility criteria, you should not be asked to pay
for them. This applies regardless of whether you are a self-funding resident or
receive financial support from the local authority.
If continence problems develop after you move in, a specialist assessment
may be needed and your care plan revised accordingly. Again if you meet
local NHS criteria you should not be charged for pads or other products.
If you have a relative who is about to move into a care home and who
manages their own continence or only needs a little help, ask how residents
are supported to manage their own continence needs. Staff in a care home
should ensure everything possible is done to support residents to live
independently and manage their continence. Look at the toilet facilities.
Check how close they are to communal areas, their accessibility,
spaciousness and the availability of aids such as grab rails. .