Today was a lovely day: no unplanned or unwelcome events, such as occurred last Sunday. A week ago tonight, I was in the hospital.
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What started out as a quickly passing wave of light-headedness progressed as I listened intently to the Sunday sermon. When the service was over, I stood up and just did not feel right. My son-in-law, Hoyt, who is a physician\u2019s assistant, was nearby. I told him my symptoms and he took my pulse \u2013 45. That\u2019s low, even for me. He suggested I go to the emergency room \u2013 not my favorite place on a Sunday afternoon (or anytime for that matter), but maybe a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I will not go into all the frustrating details. At least this time \u2013 unlike my last ER visit \u2013 the doctor did not suggest I return home, diagnosing me as \u201cjust dehydrated\u201d when in actuality my body was being invaded by Guillaine Barr\u00e9 Syndrome. After several diagnostic tools were utilized, the ER doctor suggested I be admitted for 24 hours for observation. After conferring with Hoyt (my first choice for a second opinion), I reluctantly agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immediately, I sort of regretted it. I do not like the way you become a non-person in a hospital emergency room. You are asked lots of questions, but treated with derision when asking a question of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy do you ask that?\u201d the nurse responded to my question. She sounded snarky to me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I wanted to know\u2026and I am the patient.\u201d I think she comprehended that I was in my right mind and expected to be treated with respect. She did better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When she left the room, my husband, who had accompanied me to the hospital, commented with a hint of admiration in his tone, \u201cI would have never thought to ask that \u2013 how did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t ask what the question was \u2013 I don\u2019t remember; but I know it was legitimate. I do not clown around in the ER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The point I want to make is that I knew the right questions to ask because I have some medical knowledge and have worked in that field. My education and experience provide me with an ER arsenal not available to everyone.\u00a0\u00a0As long as I am conscious, I can serve as my own advocate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which brings me to today\u2019s topic: advocacy for our care recipients. An advocate is someone who supports or encourages another; this noun also refers to a person who pleads on someone else\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a caregiver, part of your responsibility is advocating for the best possible care for your loved one and intervening when care is subpar or abusive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I served as a nurse in a long-term care facility, occasionally a patient would indicate that he or she wanted to talk to me privately. The conversation would go something like this: \u201cThis morning (name of staff) yelled at me when I accidentally spilled my juice at breakfast. But, please\u2026don\u2019t say anything\u2026it will just make her more upset at me.\u201d Or, \u201c(name of staff) hasn\u2019t washed my feet all week, but the last time I complained, I didn\u2019t get a bath for three days!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, these issues had to be addressed; but it always troubled me that the patient was hesitant to advocate for herself due to fear of reprisal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have heard from many caregivers whose loved ones confide in them about perceived problems with their care. One lady noted that she got along well with all the staff, \u201cexcept for one who just doesn\u2019t like me.\u201d Another complained that his assistant \u201cwas rough with me and yanked my arm when I was having a hard time putting on my shirt.\u201d Unfortunately, I have even heard complete horror stories about patients who have been mocked, cursed or even slapped. On the news recently, I saw a heartbreaking story about a woman with dementia who was living in a nursing home. In-room cameras had recorded mistreatment by two staff members. A soon as this grievous action was discovered, the two lost their jobs, and rightly so. But cameras are not always available.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen; always listen. It is possible that a staff\u2019s actions have been misconstrued; but is it probable that your loved one would make up these stories? If your loved one reports, or you witness, any type of mistreatment \u2013 whether acts of omission or acts of abuse \u2013 it is imperative to voice your concern to the appropriate person immediately. Remember that it is your right to ask questions and receive answers about any and all aspects of care. It is also your right to do so without fear of reprisal (or snarky comebacks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should expect the person in charge to readily respond to your concerns to your satisfaction. If you are brushed off, ignored or threatened, such as being told: \u201cYou\u2019ll just have to find another facility to take care of your mom; she obviously doesn\u2019t belong here” take note of this red flag and act accordingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NursingHomeAbuseGuide.org reports that up to 1 in 6 nursing home residents may be the victim of abuse or neglect every year. This site notes that, \u201cThough many residents are well-cared for, abuse continues to be more prevalent than most people wish to believe and over three-fourths of the cases of nursing home abuse are perpetrated by caregivers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also noted is a survey of nursing home residents which revealed up to 44 percent claimed they had been abused, and 95 percent stated they had seen another resident neglected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These statistics are indeed troubling and should encourage all caregivers to be vigilant and readily accept the position of advocate for their loved one. Some cannot speak up for themselves; others are afraid to do so. In these situations, you must intervene on their behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ignoring their concerns or hoping for the best are not viable options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caring Quote: <\/strong>Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves\u2026Proverbs 31:8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n P.S. After my 24 hours were up, the medical staff came to the conclusion that I should not be on high blood pressure medication after all. It was discontinued, and a week later, my blood pressure has been normal every day, no light-headedness, and I feel much better. I follow-up with my primary care physician this week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today was a lovely day: no unplanned or unwelcome events, such as occurred last Sunday. A week ago tonight, I was in the hospital. What started out as a quickly passing wave of light-headedness progressed as I listened intently to the Sunday sermon. When the service was over, I stood up and just did not feel right. My son-in-law, Hoyt, who is a physician\u2019s assistant, was nearby. I told him my symptoms and he took my pulse \u2013 45. That\u2019s…<\/p>\n