A family friend who had dementia and was in a wheelchair would cry "Help! Help!" over and over all day. She was at home with plenty of kind and caring help, but that didn't seem to matter.
Yes. In one NH where i visited a relative, another resident would holler “help me!” or yell “mama!”. It’s sad but I’m sure it’s maddening for residents and staff.
When I worked on different floors in a hospital, there was at least 1 patient per week. They were usually calmer sitting in front of the nurses desk where staff could talk with them until citing agencies would not allow for privacy issues. So it was back in their rooms with help,me, help me.
Yes, frequently happens in my experience as well. My FIL did it, he would call out for help and yell that he was dying.
When my son had his LAR surgery there was a man on his hospital floor that yelled "help" for hours. He didn't stop until his wife arrived and he started up right away again after she left. The nurses said that his wife told them he does it at home whenever he can't see her.
Yes, my very elderly Aunt with mod/advanced dementia did it. It seemed to be a phase for her, she eventually stopped doing it. She was already on meds for mood and anxiety at the time.
I spent 5+ years caring and advocating for my mom in a nursing home. There were some residents who would call for help repeatedly, but typically stopped when someone paid attention to them, which could be 20 minutes or more later. :-\ One man (a retired medical doctor) typically did this in the evening and for hours at night, but often even with a private male aide with him. I viewed it as a form of fear and frustration; he didn't feel safe. A couple of women did it during the day.
So, is it normal? In today's conventional nursing homes? Yes. Nursing homes are populated mostly by vulnerable dependent elders who (contrary to what is required under the law - 42 CFR § 483.24) are generally neglected psychologically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Call me crazy, but truly after what I witnessed in my mother's NH over 5+ years, I'd rather depart this existence than be trapped in one of these types of "facilities."
Sadly you're correct. It's not easy for the aids either, since some can (and have) reached their breaking point pretty easily. They can take out this frustration on the residents, whose faults sometimes aren't their own.
This facility it seems the more "trying" patients are on the second floor so there is more fussing, arguing and noise.
I can't blame you at all for not wanting to be a resident in one of these facilities; it can be a depressing predicament.
She frequently became agitated and would cry "help me, help" over and over.
I have no idea what her condition was; she had attentive family members who visited frequently.
The brain is a mysterious organ.
Sometimes it's a daughter's name.. Maria Maria. Or they learn a kind nurse or aide's name so Susan Susan or whoever.
When my son had his LAR surgery there was a man on his hospital floor that yelled "help" for hours. He didn't stop until his wife arrived and he started up right away again after she left. The nurses said that his wife told them he does it at home whenever he can't see her.
So, is it normal? In today's conventional nursing homes? Yes. Nursing homes are populated mostly by vulnerable dependent elders who (contrary to what is required under the law - 42 CFR § 483.24) are generally neglected psychologically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Call me crazy, but truly after what I witnessed in my mother's NH over 5+ years, I'd rather depart this existence than be trapped in one of these types of "facilities."
This facility it seems the more "trying" patients are on the second floor so there is more fussing, arguing and noise.
I can't blame you at all for not wanting to be a resident in one of these facilities; it can be a depressing predicament.