Car Insurance
Make sure your car insurance covers any passengers from the home you choose to take on an outing.
Special Occasions
Don’t forget to inform the matron in writing if you intend to take your relative out or prepare something special for their birthday or Christmas. Ensure you have their permission before you finalise your plans.
Reading Matter
If there are no library services within the home, go to your local library and borrow books or tapes for your relative. The borrower (yourself) will be responsible for the borrowed book or tapes and for them being returned on time in good condition.
Getting Some Fresh Air
Take your relative out for a ride, or a walk, or in a wheelchair if they are not mobile. Make sure you notify the staff and record it in the visitors’ book.
Bedsores, Leg Ulcers And Dressings
Your relative’s doctor will prescribe treatment for leg ulcers, bed sores and all other skin problems. Treatment will be carried out by the registered nurses in nursing homes. If your relative has had to change their doctor since being admitted to a home the treatment prescribed by the new doctor may be different to what they are used to.
If your relative has been admitted to a residential care home, the treatment will be carried out by the community nurses.
Accidents And Sickness
If your relative has an accident or becomes sick, the doctor will be informed. They will visit if it is deemed necessary.
If a fall has caused concussion or they have sustained a fracture they will be sent by ambulance to the nearest accident and emergency department for diagnosis. If necessary they will be admitted for observation and treatment.
The nurse in charge will do their best to inform you of the situation and give you the opportunity to accompany your relative in the ambulance.
Blood Tests
If your relative’s doctor wants them to have a blood test they will either take the blood or ask a registered nurse to do so. If your relative resides in a residential care home the community nurse will be asked to take their blood and send it to the lab.
Bedtime
Is your relative warm enough in bed at night? Ask for an extra blanket for them if required. Extra pillows will be provided if they need them. It is possible they may need warmer night wear and bed socks.
Check Clothing
Check your relative’s clothing at the beginning of each season to ensure they have a suitable range of clothing to match the weather.
A shawl is useful for chilly evenings. Gloves, scarves, a hat and warm shoes will be needed for outings during winter weather.
Short Of Cash?
Look round the local charity shops for good quality clothing, jigsaw puzzles and books at reasonable prices. Be discerning, examine everything before you actually buy.
Calendar
Buy a large calendar to hang on the wall. Note special events, birthdays, etc on the appropriate date as a reminder. Help them buy and write cards and undertake to post them.
Post
Ask the matron what the postal arrangements are. Most homes have a letter box for the residents’ outgoing mail, it will then be taken by a member of staff and posted.
Residents’ mail is delivered to the home, provided it’s addressed properly.
It will then be delivered to the residents by a member of staff.
Phone Numbers
Give your relative an address book with the address and phone numbers of all her friends.
Magnetic Boards
A magnetic board is a good idea to hold photos, messages, memos, etc.
Advice
Ask your relative’s advice sometimes. It will make them feel useful and wanted.
Carrying Bits And Pieces
Make them a bag that can be attached to their zimmer walking aid. If they don’t use a zimmer make them an apron with a large pocket, big enough to hold the things they always want to carry with them. Handbags get left behind and are easily lost, aprons will stay attached to them.
Lockable Safe, Cupboard Or Drawer
Residents should be provided with a facility for keeping private papers, small amounts of money, etc either in a lockable top drawer or cupboard. If none are provided, ask the matron if they can get a lockable facility fitted.
If your relative has a lot of cash with them, it must be handed over to the matron or nurse in charge to be kept in the home’s safe. Make sure you get a receipt for the cash.
Visitor’s Rota
- Arrange visiting times with your relatives and friends.
- Make out a visitors’ rota.
- Enter the days and times they are expected on your relative’s calendar.
- Remember visitors may be restricted if your relative becomes too ill or frail to cope with more than one or two at their bedside.
Newspapers
Spend some time reading the newspaper to them. It can be quite tiring for an elderly person to hold up a newspaper for any length of time, particularly the broad sheets.
Local papers may be of more interest to them because they will probably know the area and possibly some of the people, especially if they have lived there for a long time.