I went today into a residential home to see two patients, both confused, both requiring an injection.
The home is pretty good, with some carers who are actually highly trained in their own home countries, and other carers who are in the main UK ‘salt of the earth’ types – caring, thoughtful, helpful and willing to learn.
The main problem in this place, which isn’t very old, is that no one has given much thought to the confusional aspect of patients and their needs.
I know I don’t have a good sense of direction, but in all honesty I have great difficulty finding my way about. The place is built so that the various ‘wings’ radiate out from a central hub. At at the end of each wing, there are further sub-divisions. Each wing is named after a shrub and each room is numbered and lettered.
But – and it is a BIG ‘BUT,’ the room number and letter bear no resemblance to the name of the shrub allotted to the wing.
To illustrate: rooms B1 – B10, are not in a wing called ‘Berberis’ or ‘Buddleia’ but let’s say ‘Daphne,’ while the rooms D1-D10 are called Laurel.
Where, just where is the logic in that?
In addition there are no signs at the hub end of the corridor saying which wings and rooms can be accessed from this point. ARGGGHHHH!
I know I visit many different homes and have to take on board the layout of each, each time I attend, but I find it difficult.
So how difficult must it be for the residents?
Boadicea's Chariot 
Is it designed to confuse them even further, perhaps?
There is a Swedish Home for the Confused and Bewildered somewhere, where they have placed a bus-stop sign and shelter in the grounds, so that when patients take it into their heads that they want to go home, they meander off to the bus-stop, and wait patiently. In due course they are rounded up and taken back “home”, having forgotten what they were doing there in the first place.
I am hoping Right Brain will have the courage to push my fingers into the trigger guard, if I ever reach that stage, but of course, when you do reach that stage, you are no longer aware enough to care.
I met an old friend recently who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimers about two years ago apparently – I was shocked and saddened, and my heart went out to his wife, who will have the burden of his care thrust upon her, at least until he is unmanageable at home…
Yes, it is sad how we are likely to loose insight into our deterioration… but probably just as well!
This home is not just for the confused – but sadly the problem is getting greater
Sounds a crazy system, Pseu. They should give everyone their own personal Satnav.
I’ve always felt that would solve the problem of spending hours in those big B&Qs. Satnav would make things so much quicker. “At Screws and Fixings you will turn right..please wait, computing new route…..make a U turn at Dual Flush Toilets…” etc etc
Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t sufferers feel disorientated WHATEVER the signs say/people do/etc?
Yes, Jan, a SatNav may help… though teaching them how to use it may be troublesome.:) (Just a few plain notices may help. Simple, cheap and effective.)
Maybe, Janus, but we don’t want to exacerbate the problem, do we?
PS I like the bus stop idea, very much!
Sounds to me as if they are trying to confuse, why they should though is somewhat peculiar.
I never understood the objection to putting people down, you wouldn’t leave your dog in the same circumstances would you?
I particularly like the euthanasia suite in Soylent Green, jolly good way out.
No way I would sit and rot in an old peoples home, terrible places,redundant husks of people just parked up waiting for death.
Seems unlikely you’ll be missed anyway, CO. 😦