Aged Care facilities

[givemeaspell]

Having just gone through this with a parent and never having to deal with this issue before I must say I was very saddened by the condition of some of our hospital/care places for elderly.  One particular transition care place was absolutely terrible.  Not the staff, they were wonderful (majority of them).  The place itself was so depressing, stuck in a room all day, no room for people to interact (that room is set up during the week for respite patients to attend). No stiumulation.  Basically you are stuck in there with just your basic needs met.  Very sad to have to go through this with a parent.  Someone who has lived a good life, deserves better in their last few years.

lucky for our parent, we visit and make the days a bit more bearable, but other patients had nobody....give me a pill any day!!!!

[the4masters2013]

My thoughts are with you. I worked in aged care for 10 odd years and it is a terrible time for families having to admit a relative to a facility.

The sad thing for some people without relatives who visit ( you sound like a very caring family), is that there is not enough staff to go around and certainly not enough hours in the day to make a difference to these people.

Thankfully there are some great families.

We the staff??  Eventually we have to get out due to burnout.

Keep your chin up and keep up your good work with your relative. I hope they appreciate you!

[davidc4430]

been through it with both my mum and dad

dads room was like you described, very small, drab and uninspireing. and we were not allowed to 'decorate or paint it.

heath and safety you know!

dad died within a year.

mums is much better, very nice room, bright, with a bay window,  very modern.

mums been in her place for about 3 years now and is quite happy most of the time, she has dementia and has no memory of, well, anything more than a day or two ago.

certainly doesnt remember me which is really upsetting for me.

luckily shes still getting about on her own, not stuck sitting watching tv all day like a lot of them.

the thing i can never get used to is the smell, yes the place is very clean and tidy, nurses are really good but the smell when you walk through the entrance is nasty. a mixture of disinfectant and well you can guess what else.

i hope i cack before i go into a home to be honest.

[janeababe]

Unfortunately, there is nothing welcoming or pleasant about the ageing process.

There are a few of the *older* type Residential Care Facilities still in use today, which is depressing at best! Cramped rooms, small windows, two or more beds per room,  no ensuite, cant swing a cat in it type rooms.

Depressing to enter in them as a staff member, let alone live in one as a resident!!

The newer (last 15yrs) buildings are great. Single ensuite rooms, big windows, air con,  room to bring a few things from home. Can hang a picture etc....
Each wing in the facility has its own kitchenette, with tea/Coffee making facilities etc....  a big huge improvement. 

BUT THE COSTS ARE OUTRAGEOUS!!!

A self funded retiree can be paying up to $4K per MONTH!!!!!!!! Depending on their care requirements (high, low) , their ACFI score, and their assests test!

Those on an aged Pension, are handing over 80-85% of their pension! 
It's highway bloody robbery, is what it is!

Regarding the smell, it comes with the package I'm afraid. Old people have a smell....... its a fact! PLUS: there is a lot of incontinence happening, that's a side effect of the ageing process unfortunately.   Any aged person who does not have an incontinence issue are the exception, not the norm. Lucky them (I guess, if luck is what it is!! )

@givemeaspell: It's a sad day when one realises that they can no longer care for/look after their parent/s  (I'm happy to look after my dad, but not the woman who gave birth to me)!!
Most relatives are the same as you... caring folk who visit regularly and often take the resident home for the holidays etc.

But as staff members, we are not to judge those relatives who do not visit!  Afterall, we dont know the background stories, nor have we grown up with those residents in a child/parent relationship!  I never judge!  I know all to well what its like to dislike a parent!
(My step-father... dad in my books, is the best fella in the world and I love him to bits. xxx )  My birth-father passed away many years ago of dementia.

If you need any info regarding the Residential Facility Care Practices, or you just need someone to gripe to, or just want someone to listen who understands all to well the ins & outs, just send me a pm...  

xxj

[the4masters2013]

Well said! You are right about the relatives... we may be related to them but we may not like them (for whatever reasons).
The amount of money handed over by these residents for their care is beyond a joke. Basic care may be met but nothing much more.
And don't start me on the food! LOL

[givemeaspell]

My father goes into full time care this week.  A relatively new place so very nice.  Ensuite, lovely room, he'd rather be home though. Unfortunately his mind is pretty good but his body is not and that's why he is unable to come home. Although we can bring him home for visits but then it's going to be hard to get him back. His whole pension will be taken, that's okay but the other parent in the house still has pretty much same bills but one pension to pay them all.   Thank god he is leaving the other facility....don't think he would have lasted in there another 3 months. Staring at 4 walls all day....totally depressing for us so I can only imagine the effect on him.

[the4masters2013]

Sounds like a better facility for your father to be in. It's still very hard to deal with , both for your father and your family.
Give Jane or myself a PM if you need to let off steam
It sounds as if both Jane and myself have al ot of experience and empathy.
Good luck and remember to look after yourself.

[jimmy*part4]

A thought came to me reading this thread. Those people have no one to talk to....what if they put TVs in their rooms that connect to the other rooms where the residents could talk to each other on screen. Even a channel where they could gather on, like a mass chat.

The only "retirement" homes I've seen since I was a kid are between 4 and $5000 a month also. Not many average citizens could afford that, that I know of. The homes I saw as a kid, they were a nightmare.