While institutions have policies and procedures in place, those in management positions responsible to see that these are followed through, are quite often too busy being buried in bureaucratic paper work.
All required needs including dietary, hygiene, personal care; exercise and recreation etc., are laid out in policies in your home Province/State. Continuing Care and Accommodation Standards are available on line on the Alberta Health Services website.
While there are routines in place from toileting, to movement, hydration etc., there are times due to shortage of staff that these routines can be overlooked.
No matter how well an institution is run, there will always be oversights, and sadly this affects those who have no voice as they cannot speak for themselves and are left to suffer abandonment.
My husband has no voice. He is limited to how much he can express his needs. I am his voice. He may not be able to express himself but he knows full well what is being said and how he is being treated. I have had to personally demand respect and treatment with dignity for Steve and remind the staff by way of management through writing my concerns.
If you have concerns about your loved ones care, go to your Province/State website. Read the standards especially the Accommodation and Continuing care Standards. For example it will tell you how many baths they are required to get per week.
It is also good practice to not always show up at the same time every day or when you visit. This has been very helpful to me in terms of being more aware of the nature of care my husband is getting.
While Steve is limited in expressing himself and his needs, it is very obvious which Health Care Aids he takes a special liking to. The tone of voice, the gentle touch, the respect, goes a long way in helping our most vulnerable.
If you want to comfort the afflicted, sometimes you have to afflict the comfortable.
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