Last night I got a call from the Social Worker at Mt. Ogden Health and Rehab about a change they are going to implement at the center. This is what I was told at the time:
“Because they have a problem with a dementia patient escaping from the facility they will be installing locks on the doors leading into Sheila’s hallway and those doors will now remain closed at all times. When we come to see Sheila we will have to enter a code to get through the doors. Is it okay that Sheila remains down that hall?”At first we couldn’t see a problem with it. When we went to see Sheila last night we were informed that the center wanted to do this so that they could have a “lock-down” unit in order to be able to take in more patients with those needs. The residents down this hall, or in the “lock-down unit”, will have their own dining room/activity room.
Now we are concerned these patients, like Sheila, will be locked in with no one in the unit to watch and supervise what is going on. Will someone notice if Sheila is being confronted by an Alzheimer patient? Will Sheila be taken to the main dining room for her meals and activities or will she become a prisoner in her own hallway for the sake of convenience?
Please give us your feedback. We urgently want and need your opinions and thoughts on this. In advance thanks for your comments.
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I think the only people that should be down that hall is the ones that may need to be locked down.. I think she should be moved so she can go to the main eating hall and that. What a scary thing to deal with! What happens if there is a lock down situation and yu cant get to see her... I am so sorry to hear this! You and your family are in our prayers to help you know what to do!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't stay down that hall. There's so many possibilities of something happening especially with dementia patients. If she doesn't need to be there, don't stick around until you're given a reason to move.
ReplyDeleteI'm 21. About nine months ago I got very sick and was put in the hospital. Because of other patients I was in a lock-down hall. It wasn't too much of a problem for my family and it kept all of the patients safe from any random strangers coming into the ward. From my experiences in different hospitals and wards and CNA work I actually feel safer in a lock-down ward. Since there are patients who require this kind of security there are generally more staff on the floor. I think patients are more carefully watched in these wards. On another note, patients who don't fit the lock-down profile and usually able to attend main dining room meals and facility activities.
ReplyDeleteIf you wanna ask me any thing email me at jazzyisajedi@hotmail.com