Thoughts/Recommendations for a Contractor Nurse?

My mother had a massive stroke last week and has entered the Inova Mount Vernon Rehab facility. We have heard the greatest things about the rehab therapists, but she's been there since Friday and we're still having trust issues with the nursing staff.

The first major thing that went wrong was the nurse put the wrong patient's name on my mother's paperwork. He didn't write it down, he had those printed out stickers with barcodes for some other patient! The second major thing was my mother fell off the toilet in her bathroom and pulled the emergency cord for help. She told us it seemed like a long time before someone came to her assistance. When my father brought it up with the nurse, the nurse said there was no way it could take a long time because the pulled cords sound an audible alarm and a light flashes outside the room. He demonstrated this with the cord in my mom's bathroom and sure enough, NO ALARM! The third thing that went wrong was the nurses not calling her doctor about getting a new medication for her (one to help her restless leg and help her sleep). Her previous medication didn't work so we asked for a new medication and the nurse said he'd call the doctor and update the nurse coming in for the next shift. Well, that never happened.

A friend of ours suggested hiring a contractor nurse whose sole responsibility would be to check in on mom and what's happening. The nurse would report to us her daily findings. I'd like to get some feedback from anyone who has hired a nurse for this purpose and get some recommendations from anyone.

Thanks.

 

And also log and elevate your findings with the names of nurses/doctors, dates, and times. It's too serious a matter to overlook.

Hope your Mom has a speedy recovery.

 

Luftinarr - I also help your mom has a speedy recovery, you and your family are in our thoughts.

Have you inquired if Inova will allow a contractor nurse into their facility? (it kind of like docs who need to be granted privilages to practice within certain hospital)

I am waiting to hear back from a friend who is a private nurse, but here is a great link from the American Stroke Association about Caregiving Resources (after a stroke):

http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030142

 

Sorry to hear about your mom. We recently went through a similar issue with my mother-in-law. She is currently in a rehab facility outside of Philly. We hired a private night nurse for her when she first entered the facility. The nurse came for about 2 weeks before the facility told us that due to liability issues, we would have to hire the nurse from them.

As Pea mentioned above, I would talk to the people at the rehab center before you spend a lot of time finding someone on your own.

 

We're not getting a comfortable feeling from the facility at all. After a bit of complaining where we finally able to get a, "Hi! Welcome to Mount Vernon. This is what we do..." No one has assisted us at all in this transition. And we don't want to start complaining A LOT because we're afraid someone may take it out on mom. It's like pulling teeth getting information out of the staff. We want her to have the best care possible, but we also don't want her or us to suffer through miscommunication and carelessness.

We keep a daily journal of everyone that we talk to, the time, subject, resolution, etc. My father is vigilant when it comes to documenting. I began writing daily recaps as to what's going on with mom and the facility that I send out to all well wishers. So we've been very good about keeping track of everything.

It's very frustrating because it's not like something like this happens to us everyday and we should know the process. Even though the two hospitals (Loudoun and Mount Vernon) have the same parent (Inova), we much prefer the staff and facilities at Loudoun. They were competant and more compassionate than the staff at Mount Vernon. For such an undignified time in my mother's life, I expect a little more compassion than what she's been shown.

I will definitely find out if Inova allows private nurses.

 

Indeed, private CNA's will be needed in any facility. These places usually do not give the maxiumum individual care your parent will need. also the local MDA association will be able to help. We began with a CNA service, then found ones on our own.

My mother had ALS, which is extremely demanding. So we had many come and go, but I have 2 women to give you that might help. I don't know if they currently have a job.

Diane Sherod 703-866-0514 She is Afircian American and a lovely woman who was able to deal with my mom's demands and fluctuating moods with ease.

Florence Zalwengo 703-642-1298 another amazing woman who always came when others wouldn't or needed time off - even though she had her own shift.

My mom needed 24x7 care and opted to stay home. No facility would have been prepared to help her. We had 4-5 in the beginning and got down to three towards the end.

 

hmm- interesting description... what is the other woman?

anyway, luft i have no recommendations but just wanted to share warm thoughts and well wishes for you and your family. it's so difficult to find someone to trust to care for the ones you love. {{{HUGS}}}

 

HAHA
I believe Florence is either from Ghana or Sierra Leone. It's been since 2004 that mom has been gone, so I honestly don't remember... She speaks with a slight accent. Diane on the other hand is pure American! And yes, i spelled African wrong

 

luftinarr--

We are sorry to learn of the poor care that your relative received at the hospital. Have you called or checked Hospice care? Recently, a friend of our family's used Hospice care and nurses. They highly recommended their services. Northern VA and DC Hospice Care recently merged to form a new name called Capital Hospice Care. If their nursing or CNA staff cannot help you personally, perhaps their staff could recommend a private nursing practice or other help that you may need.

Web site is below--

www.capitalhospice.org. (Capital Hospice's site/info).

Also, when you are feeling up to it, PM me or post under the thread "Area Restaurants... " if you would like some FREE STRAWBERRIES on the post called "FREE STRAWBERRIES...".

May God Bless You--

Foodie

 

Irish American

 

ahhh- Zalwengo- the name should have tipped me off! lol

luft, I will ask around to my friends who have also needed in home or private care and find some referrals for you.

 

We have had two friends whose parents have experienced the Mount Vernon "version" of care. Both had horrific experiences. Lack of communication, dropping off of food trays and then complaining the patient did not eat (of course not! She can't feed herself!) poor tracking of medications, unresponsive to patient's complaints or needs....the list goes on. One of them even had a nursing assistant put dentures in, that were not her dad's! OMG! Both had their parents moved to other fascilities. It is unfortunate that in such a stressful time you have to worry about your Mom receiving quality care. It seems from our friend's experiences, there is a lot more bad care out there than good care.

Hospice is generally reserved for patients who are terminal in nature...so don't think that they are what you are looking for. Although, Capital Hospice was remarkable when they helped with my Nana. Truly some amazing people.

Our thoughts are with you.......

 

Check with the Virginia Department of Aging:
http://www.vda.virginia.gov/

I also spoke with someone at the Area Agency on Aging in Leesburg (think it was Mary Jane, but not certain):
http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=701

She was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about what is available, etc.

 

I work with young adults with disabilities. Most have a CNA as a personal care attendent. We are friendly with an agency that has provided wonderful, caring people for our guys. I don't have her care with me, and I am off til Thurs, but I can get the info to you if you are still looking. Please PM me if you want the info. Good Luck!
PS I think that as long as the person isn't administering meds or operating equipment, you can hire whoever you want. They aren't going to be
in charge" but can ask the right questons, oversee when someone isn't there, etc... especailly at night