23rd April - CCH - A day of bits

Last evening was a chatting evening. Had separate chats with two care assistants about the successful home visit, and the frustration of not being able to go home because of lack of carers. One of them had worked as a carer for an agency as well as here, and given up and “told them what they could do with their job” because of the reasons highlighted in the news recently – limited hours contracts (which had suited her as she didn’t want a full time job) but it turns out that it was in effect a full time job but paid part time – you had to be available at all times until you hit your contracted hours, so couldn’t do anything else as there was no regularity – all your hours could be on Friday or the weekend but you had to be available from. 7am on Monday. There was one week where they only had 14 hours work for her, so instead of paying the 18 contracted hours, they only paid her 14. No travelling time paid, so some jobs she was busy for 2 hours and only paid for 30 minutes. Although I think it’s a bit better now, not much, so no wonder there is a shortage of carers. It seems that the discharge team use two agencies here – Somerset (!) and Cheshire (which isn’t the county, but part of Leonard Cheshire Homes). It seems that whether you get a carer depends on where you are geographically and what your needs are. No one seems to know if this latter means you get higher priority if your needs are more or less (eg do you get a carer of you only need a half hour visit, or if you need an hour?).

If we don’t hear about going home tomorrow, I shall try to do some digging to see how the system works (or not, as the case may be!).

The other  conversation was about one of the other patients, L, who “thinks she’s in a private hotel and that we’re all here to pander to her every wish immediately” and complains if they don’t. I must admit, I’ve heard her talking and she is not the most pleasant of people. I appreciate it’s not good being here, and very frustrating, but there is no need to take it out on the staff.

So, to bed, Archers, buttons and biscuits, and then Radio 5. I was knackered!

Woken up at 8.30 for breakfast. They hadn’t woken me earlier for sugars as I was sleeping soundly (usually I am just dozing and say good morning when they come in – not this morning!). Sugars 4.6, so they didn’t want to give me my meds and insulin until I’d eaten. Unfortunately, at some point during the night I had an accident. Never mind, it’s not going to affect me going home. Got washed (very comprehensively) and dressed and up. Went through my emails that I hadn’t done something with – an interesting talk at the History Centre about the history of Calne that I’d like to go to in May, but their talks are in the afternoon, so difficult for working people. I mentioned it to Juli later, and he’d like to go, but it really does depend on work (and availability of tickets). There are clearly advantages of being retired as I can’t see who else can go. I might suggest that they you tube them.

Nice Irish volunteer lady came round with the mid morning coffee, but came back a few minutes later before I’d started it as something had gone wrong with the hot water urn and it was cold. She whipped my cup away and came back with a new one made with a kettle! I also got a second cup later. And another biscuit.

Did some exercises in my chair. I am getting a lot more pins and needles now, and it is extending further up my legs, so I am working through it. I have a resistance band tied to the arm of my chair, with a loop at the other end to put my foot in to raise the knee. Still not working very well, but at least the strong rubbery smell is going a bit! Read a bit more of the Dementia book.

Pre lunch sugars up to 11.8 – probably the biscuits I had. Lunch was goulash, rice and a dumpling followed by another nice apple. Cup of tea and another biscuit.

Sarah-Jane, the nurse that seems to be taking charge of my bottom, came and asked if I wanted to go to the loo, which I did. Afterwards, we managed to get me wiped, washed and dried (not necessary, but part of the getting rid of the soreness) and discussed bottom care. All good. Then had another multi-purpose lie down for the afternoon, whilst I also did some more reading, surfing and doing puzzles. Also looked at Sian’s message that showed pics of them working on Gem, Sian’s mini.

Juli arrived and got me out of bed (well, passed me my walking frame) and I got into my chair. He had bought some of the things I’d asked for, for tonight and tomorrow. Sian arrived and had bought me a present of a changing bag for when I go out. It has a grown up pattern but I think that the plastic changing mat is going to be a tad too small!

Then Sarah-Jane came to do a quick continence questionnaire (yes, I do eat enough fruit and vegetables, yes I do drink at least a litre and a half of fluids a day were some of the more socially acceptable questions) but all was ok.

We went outside to put the going home stuff in the car, and then I had a surprise – there were two shiny classic minis in the car park! They even persuaded me to sit in ours (strictly against the rules I think, as I didn’t have my walking frame with me, but I managed by holding on to the door and frame). It felt good! Came back out of car, sat outside for a quick drink and discussion of the cars – Sian’s still seems to have a problem with the battery as it’s not charging, despite a new alternator - then we had to come back as it was at the end of visiting.

Had supper (pre supper sugars 17.3, still ok) – ham salad with nice, proper ham and a banana. Cup of tea arrived, but needed to go to loo, so rang bell. Went to loo, but nothing much happened until Ellen came back to empty my bag. We discovered a puddle on the floor. There was also a small puddle under my wheelchair – at some point, the valve on my bag had come partly opened. I am now wearing a fetching pair of hospital trouser bottoms and Juli has taken my wet trousers home. Oh, no he hasn’t – I’ve just seen the bag. Never mind, they can go back tomorrow.

Juli arrived back again as we were sorting things out. He hadn’t gone home as there was no time, but had gone shopping in Morrisons for his supper. We talked about tomorrow and going out with Ellen. She said that she was on earlies, and that if I got the night staff to get me up, she would make sure I had breakfast. Went to get a drink through the wardrobe to Narnia, and then when we came back, Mita the nurse said there was nothing in my notes from the doctor saying it was ok for me do go out for the day. Ready to get a bit cross, but it was ok as she said that I was medically fit to go home, it was just the carer situation meaning I was not already home, and that I was sensible, so would be able to manage my meds and eating (not so sure about the eating bit, I have a breakfast buffet waiting for me and I AM going to have a fried egg and bacon amongst other things!). I explained that I would need to take my lunchtime and supper time meds with me as I wasn’t sure what time I’d be back. Mita is going to contact the on call doctor to get him to come and talk to me about it and formally give permission. If for any reason he doesn’t turn up by 8am tomorrow morning, I can write saying that I am going anyway and take responsibility!

Juli talked about bureaucracy, and we discussed Sian’s car, which still has an issue with the battery. Not sure what will happen tomorrow and what cars we take, what car the wheelchair fits in etc

Nothing worth watching on tv really, so opted for Foyle’s War, but missing bits of it as it is not really on loud enough – I am looking forward to watching things all the away through and at a decent volume when I get home and no, it’s nothing to do with my hearing aids!

Then I had another visitor – the doctor! Mita had already briefed him. Told him what I planned, and that I’d have two people with me to look after me, and he said of course that was fine. So he earned his call out fee as far as I was concerned (although he probably gets paid whether he gets called out or not!)

Ellen popped her head round the door on her way home and said she thought she was on this part of the ward tomorrow, but she’d make sue I was ready in time. Then just now one of the care staff said that they knew I was going out early and that they would also make sure I was up in time. People are being very nice. Nurse giving me my bedtime (ie 9pm) meds also said she’d make sure all was ok tomorrow and we discussed what time they’d get me up. Probably around quarter to 7. That’s fine with me.

So, to look forward to this evening – another trip to the loo, a probable visit from Mb, Buttons, biscuits and the radio later. I won’t be too late so that I am refreshed for tomorrow, which I am looking forward to.

Goodnight!