Posted on July 12, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

WHEN THE CONFUSED ELDER HAS TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL

“We sent your Mom to the hospital this morning for tests” said the nurse on the phone. “We tried to get in touch with you.” Oh no, no time to talk, I had better get going. On the way to the hospital I couldn’t help thinking about the last admission, and how that went.

Last hospital admission.

Mom went to the closest hospital, which had many systems in place that just didn’t work for my Mom. Mom had a stroke several years ago, which had left her left arm without any function. Yet there Mom was in the hospital bed, with the bedside table on her left side. It was supper time, yet there was no tray on the bedside table.

I read the “Welcome” packet on the bedside table which gave the hospital directions for using the phone to call the kitchen, and order your meals. You needed to call for each meal and place an order. Mom wasn’t able to reach the phone, or use it independently. I went out to the nurse’s station and asked if anyone had ordered a tray for my Mom. No, no one had. I asked if anyone had removed any trays from her room, again no one had. I phoned down to the kitchen and asked if my Mom, who had arrived around eight that morning had received any food. It was now 6pm and there was no record of her eating or drinking anything, and no one had noticed.

I then asked if she had gone to the bathroom and was told that she hadn’t called. Once again the nurse’s call light was built into the side rail of the bed on her left side, which she couldn’t use. So she had soiled herself in the bed and was just waiting for someone to come along.

Confused elderly in the hospital

The best possible solution for the confused elderly in the hospital is to have a family support team that takes turns staying with the elder. Mom knew she was in the hospital; she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone the name of the hospital. But she was totally unable to find out for herself how to function in this setting. She needed some one to speak for her and answer any questions about her history. She needed someone to explain to her what tests they were doing and why. And ok, maybe several times. She needed someone to get her things that she didn’t want to “bother anyone” for. Maybe a box of tissue, please put on the TV, close the curtains, and adjust the temperature. And maybe just keep her company. I remember those times well, keeping either my Mom or my Dad “company” when they were in the hospital. Not a bad way to spend your time.

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com