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Perception is reality

My two new knees are locked (glued) in place and working properly. I can bend, walk, go up the stairs and stand. After only three and a half weeks, the incisions are healed (externally) and all is well. But there is one thing that continues to cross my mind.

Upon leaving the hospital, I was scheduled to spend another week in a "skilled nursing facility" or as most of us would call it, a nursing home. It was to further my physical therapy and get me to a point where I could be more independent when I went home. I left the hospital on day six and went straight there. Needless to say, I was one of the youngest patients in the center. This may be one of the biggest issues, as they are used to dealing with older and possibly less alert patients.

At some point in our lives, all of us will face decisions regarding our parents, grandparents and possibly even spouses. We struggle with how to care for them, how to provide the best care, how to keep them safe and healthy. My visit to the nursing home was, to say the least, an eye opener. From the broken down mattress (which required a pillow to support me and fill in the hole) to the 2-hour wait for pain medication, to the 30 minutes per day of "physical therapy" which was my purpose for being there, I was upset and appalled at the lack of care and concern which surrounded me.

During the first night, the nurse's aide was in and out of my room while having an intense conversation on her cell phone; the overnight nurse was overworked and shared with us that she alone had to care for 27 patients, which was the reason for the two-hour wait for medicine. But these were just a few of the things that transpired in the next 48 hours, at which time I called my insurance company to find out how to check out of the program.

What I want to say is that if you have a loved one in a nursing home, or if you are searching for a place for someone, put yourself in the center of the nursing home. Talk to the patients, check on the reputation of the home, listen to what is being said by your family. Don't assume that because they are old they no longer have conception of time or pain or type of care they are receiving. I believe that is why the conditions persist. For me to sit in a bed for 23 hours waiting for my 30 minutes of physical therapy and 30 minutes of "occupational" therapy, was a waste of time. I knew I would get better care at home, more intense therapy and it would advance my healing. Plus I am sure my blood pressure had to come down just by leaving the facility.

Perception of what type of care being provided is probably reality. Unless we speak up, listen and act, the conditions and lack of care will continue. I will be writing a letter to the headquarters bringing to light the inadequacies of the facility. Maybe it takes someone not needing the intense skilled care to help highlight what is actually needed. And maybe by seeing and listening you can change the level of care your loved one receives.

From one who has been there, the days and nights are long. Make sure the care being given is what you would expect for yourself.

Patricia Stirnkorb is a Fairfield resident and former reporter for the Fairfield Echo. She now works as a freelance journalist.

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