The Worst Experience

As many of you know by following my posts, Mom is presently in a geriactric psych unit to help stabalize her with medication therapy.  This by far the worst experience we have had to date.  The environment is depressing, a very small room with metal chairs and tables, no decor at all and a TV constantly playing.  I am limited to visiting Mom for 2 hours per day, one hour in the afternoon, another hour in the evening.  There is little to no communication between the staff and families and I see very little "hands-on" care of the patients.  I walked in the other day and my Mother had on the same sweater for three days, she was unkept and looked miserable.  I immediately went to the head nurse and calmly stated that I expected my Mother to be clean, bathed, hair brushed and teeth brushed EVERY DAY.  I have taken meticulous care of Mom for years now.  Hygiene is not only necessary for overall health but it maintains our loved ones dignity.  I have sat back for a week now and watched this staff and the overall treatment and conditions in this unit.  I am absolutely discusted.  The food trays are set in front of the patients and the staff walks away without bothering to see if assistance is needed.  Patients sit for hours with absolutely no activities to keep them engaged.  No smiles, no hugs, no reassurance from staff when it is obvious some of these old people are upset and anxious. 

Last night when I arrived to visit my Mom, I found her in a hospital gown turned around backwards.  Mom was completely unresponsive and had no idea that I was standing right in front of her.  Earlier in the day when I visited I tried to get my Mom to eat (she has stopped eating and drinking almost altogether).  I put a clean sweater on her, put her make-up on and curled her hair. I ended the afternoon visit praying with Mom.   I went to the glassed in nurses station where 4 staff members were sitting once again and asked why my Mother was in a hospital gown and why tonight she is completely unresponsive.  I was told that my Mother undressed herself and they gave her a sedative and changed her into a gown so that she wouldn't continue with that behavior.  I asked if I could change my Mother into her Pajamas and put her to bed and they agreed and came with me to my Mother's room.  As I undressed my Mom I saw that she was visibly bruised all over her arms (this was not bruising from drawing blood).  I asked where all of the bruising was coming from and the response was that she bumps into things.  I know better.........they use force to get these patients to comply.  I stressed that my Mother is extremely ill and she deserves to be cared for appropriately, treated with patience and kindness and given the same respect all human beings deserve. 

My hands are tied here.  I cannot move my Mom to a different hospital and I cannot move her back to the home until she is stable.  I pray this doctor will find the right medications soon so I can get my Mom out of this situation.