I was admitted to the hospital, though I don’t know my diagnosis, as I don’t really know what’s going on The problem is that some of the care staff do not seem to totally understand my needs and though they are mainly caring I wonder whether they might need some extra training in dementia care. When I need the toilet I try and climb out of bed and become very restless. I find it impossible to communicate my needs and sometimes the carers don’t seem to understand what I want. Sometimes they say : ‘oh he’s confused’ or I’ve heard carers and nurses say ‘it’s all right, he’s wearing pads’. But it’s not all right. I really do not want to wet myself. Yesterday I woke up and I was in a bed soaking in my urine. It was so humiliating and it took a long time for anyone to come and clean me up as in the morning the nurses are all so busy. Everyone wakes up at once and needs things. If only someone had come around now and then and offered me a urine bottle it would have saved my dignity and also a lot of work changing the whole bed. There’s one other thing. The hospital appears to have a policy of not cutting our nails, even when they have come from somewhere previously where this aspect of care has been neglected also. I have horribly long nails and because I am sometimes doubly incontinent, faecal matter has become stuck under my nails. I am then expected to eat with my hands! This cannot do much for infection control either. Don't get me wrong. Nearly all of the nurses and care staff are friendly and helpful and I see they are very busy. Just a little more awareness of what it's like in my position please.
"As from a dementia patient - ward not known"
About: University Hospital Of North Tees University Hospital Of North Tees Stockton-on-Tees TS19 8PE
Posted via nhs.uk
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