We have hospice coming in, hospice was transferred from the one we used at home to the hospice recommended by the memory care facility. I am wondering what my expectations should be about the care my dad is receiving and if my expectations are too high?? My dad (me, as POA) is paying a lot for the care but we are having issues. He has a super pubic catheter, and his leg was wet on my first visit the day after we moved him in. Addressed the issue with DON and Hospice nurse and management. Management assured me that aides would be trained on proper catheter care? Shouldn’t the aides already be trained? We are now at two weeks in and experiencing more catheter issues such as aides don’t know how to attach adhesive leg holder, don’t replace dressing over the catheter opening and leave wet straps on catheter leg bag after shower. We also seem to be having issues with his laundry being washed but not dried completely and then clean laundry being put away damp in his closet. Clothing should not be put away damp, it will cause mildew. Am I being unrealistic expecting a resolution after bringing the issues to their attention? This is a 25 unit memory care with only 19 current residents, so they should have enough trained staff along with the hospice people to see that these issues are resolved. How long should I give them to resolve the issues?
And this one nurse asked ME if I wanted her to teach me how to change it, and of course I said ah...hell no, but why don't you go back to your office and teach some of the other nurses. I mean you just can't make this shit up can you?
So no I'm sure that the aides are NOT trained at all in supra pubic catheter care as most nurses don't know about them, let alone the CNA's, and I can only guess because they are not as common as the other types of catheters.
I would talk to your hospice team leader and ask them to make sure that whoever is dealing with your dads catheter knows what the heck they are doing. I don't believe that is too much to ask.
And don't be afraid to stay on top of hospice and what they're doing or not doing, as often as you need to., as you are now your dads advocate.
I called our hospice office often to make sure that my husband was receiving the care that he required and deserved.
The catheter issue is definitely a hospice issue for sure as it's the hospice aides that bathe your dad and the hospice nurse that will change it, but the laundry is the memory cares issue, and perhaps if things don't change there you may have to take his laundry home and wash and dry it yourself.
I do wish you well in making sure your dad is receiving the care he needs.
As far as wet laundry, SERIOUSLY? That's freakin disgusting. Do the aides do it or does it go to the laundry department? They must be doing this to everyone's clothing. Ask who you should talk to about this.
My mom is on her second facility (due to moving from AL to LTC) and has been in rehab. There are ALWAYS glitches or things I wished weren't happening or that are disappointing. We're not perfect, they're not perfect. I try to nicely bring up issues and ask for a reasonable resolution.
Best of luck.
I will take your advice to heart.