fairyworld14 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I had the most lovely thank you card today from one of my patients daughter because I worked so hard to make his discharge safe. He has dementia & my Dad died a few years ago & I know what it is like to have a relative who suffers from this disease . I looked after him all through his stay & it was a pleasure because I knew how to look after him . I just think , this could be me in a few years sat there in a bed with this disgusting disease & an uncaring member of staff getting impatient because I have wet the bed AGAIN . Just be caring please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna B Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Good for you, well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 And from me too. My daughter works on elderly care wards sometimes (where many patients are suffering from the later stages of dementia) and I don't know how she - and you - manage to stay cheerful. She finds it rewarding, but exhausting. Your patient's daughter must have been very grateful for all you did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairyworld14 Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thank you so much . What with Dad having the disease , I have learnt more . I ma now going to be our ward Dementia Link Nurse so I can & try & teach our junior staff how better to care for these patients Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thank you so much . What with Dad having the disease , I have learnt more . I ma now going to be our ward Dementia Link Nurse so I can & try & teach our junior staff how better to care for these patients Could I ask you what advice would you give to someone caring for a dementia patient at home? What are the most important things they need to be aware of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pritt Stick Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 That's lovely Fairy - you can put it with the cards you got from relatives of the patients of the TB Ward you worked on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinfoilhat Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Could I ask you what advice would you give to someone caring for a dementia patient at home? What are the most important things they need to be aware of? When they need a break. Get them into day centres if possible too. It's an illness that takes its toll on full time carers like very few, if any, other illnesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairyworld14 Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Pritt ! I have never worked on a TB ward ---------- Post added 31-01-2014 at 22:47 ---------- Alice The first thing to do is don't be scared to admit you need help . Go to your GP & ask for help getting in touch with Social Services to give you a worker for your case. They will then send someone to have a look at what you need with regards to the Dementia patient . They will assess the needs & will organise a sitter so the carer can get out regularly to do things like pay bills or just have a well deserved break . Guilt is often a part of caring for someone with this horrid disease , I know Mum did on a regular basis . The main thing to remember is , you are human & can only take so much . The carer need some " me time" ,because it is so stressful taking care of their loved ones. Dementia patients react in different ways depending on which stage they are in . Some can become violent which is dangerous for the Carer & it is at this point they need to get urgent help . It would then be time to think about placing their loved ones in care . This is for the loved ones benefit & the carer. Hard I know , but at the end of the day safety is first & foremost . So , ask for help & don't think you are a failure just because help is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daven Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I had the most lovely thank you card today from one of my patients daughter because I worked so hard to make his discharge safe. He has dementia & my Dad died a few years ago & I know what it is like to have a relative who suffers from this disease . I looked after him all through his stay & it was a pleasure because I knew how to look after him . I just think , this could be me in a few years sat there in a bed with this disgusting disease & an uncaring member of staff getting impatient because I have wet the bed AGAIN . Just be caring please I hope you passed on the thanks to all the other tens of people who worked so hard and made this patients discharge possible and safe -other nursing staff, the doctors, support staff, physios, occupational therapists, mental health team, pharmacy staff, specialists nurses and DRT staff who are often 'behind the scenes' staff but are just as, if not more, vital to the process but often forgot by relatives. A successful discharge is never a one person achievement. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pritt Stick Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I hope you passed on the thanks to all the other tens of people who worked so hard and made this patients discharge possible and safe -other nursing staff, the doctors, support staff, physios, occupational therapists, mental health team, pharmacy staff, specialists nurses and DRT staff who are often 'behind the scenes' staff but are just as, if not more, vital to the process but often forgot by relatives. A successful discharge is never a one person achievement. Regards. Never a truer word. Regards straight back atcha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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