My 59 year old brother, is in a nursing home, disabled. He neglected his health and as a consequence, suffered the effects of uncontrolled Diabetes and hypertension. He suffered 5 strokes in 2019 and 2020.
His overall mental affect and health has started to decline. He has a pressure ulcer on his heel now. That is pretty significant. Recently, he has not been eating and lost 5 pounds in a month. No one addressed the problem. I observed him trying to eat and it seemed like he could not see the tray. I asked for an Occupational Therapy evaluation to help identify strategies that would help him be able to find his food and eat it. Maybe adaptive utensils and or bowls that he can pick-up. I also made took him to an eye appointment.
He was evaluated this week by 2 eye doctors and we received the tragic news that he is blind in one eye, and nearly blind in the other eye. The blindness is not fixable.
My sister and I had a care planning meeting with the nursing and social services director. At that meeting, we found out that the Occupational Therapist never saw my brother. I asked that she see him.
The occupational therapist has a long history of blowing my brother off because "he is lazy.". I called her to relay my observations and she totally blew me off, telling me he eats fine, etc. I disagreed and relayed my concerns to her and she was so mad. Then I told her I am a Mastered Prepared RN and I work closely with therapy, so I do know somewhat about deficits such as my brothers. I also told her that he was just diagnosed with blindness. She did not realize that he was blind.
Yesterday, my sister went to see him and he was sleeping and the lunch tray was in front of him. No one was helping him. He needs tray set-up and cuing throughout his meal. I know he can eat with the spoon and the bowls. That is in place now, but he needs someone to come around a few times during the meal and cue him to eat.
I am very, very upset. I wrote the administrator, but not heard back yet. I am particularly angry at the therapy department, and nursing for not assisting him. I cannot be there all of the time to watch this situation. My sister is leaving to go back up North on Wednesday. I have another brother locally and between he and I we visit a few times per week.
I also wrote a complaint yesterday to the Department of Elder Affairs, Long-term care Ombudsman.
I have so much anxiety over my brothers lack of care. He cannot speak for himself. The entire situation is so tragic.
Please take care of your health, don't try to self-diagnose and treat. Get your labs done at least yearly. Don't delay your mammograms and Colonoscopy. The silent killers are Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol. All treatable illnesses. My brother was afraid of doctors and now is paying a very high price for his decisions.
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