Arranging Transport From Hospital To The Home

If your relative is in hospital, and is to be admitted to the home from hospital, the procedure is a little different. The date and time of transfer from the hospital to the nursing home is usually arranged between the ward sister, the care manager (if appropriate) and the home. It will largely depend on the availability of hospital transport, completion of the paperwork and the most convenient time for the home to accept them. If you have a preferred time ask the ward sister if this can be taken into consideration.

Receiving The Contract

Either before or soon after admission your relative should receive two copies of the contract setting out terms, conditions, fees at the time of admission, details of the monthly payments and several other items of interest. It is usually a long and sometimes a complicated document.

• Read it carefully. Make sure you understand what it means.
• If in doubt ask a solicitor to unravel the jargon and interpret it for you.
• When you are completely satisfied with the contract sign both copies.
• Return one copy to the matron and keep the second copy in your file for future reference.

What To Do Before Admission

Make a note of all the things you need to do before your relative is admitted. It is surprising how much there is to think about and do before the day arrives.

• Sort out your relative’s prescriptions and medications.
• Make a list of what medications they have and the time of day they take them.
• Check their clothing, replace worn out garments.
• Mark everything, such as clothing, glasses, television, etc.

Medications And Prescriptions

If your relative is staying for a limited time ensure they have sufficient medication to last for the length of time they are going to stay in the home. It might be helpful if you can obtain a new repeat prescription from their doctor if their medications are getting low.

If your relative decides to stay permanently, the nursing or care home staff will undertake to obtain any further prescriptions and medications they will need in the future.

You may have been in the habit of dispensing their medications into containers marked out into the times and days when they are to be taken. Whilst this is an excellent way for your relative while they live alone, you must send the tablets and medicines in their original packets labelled by the dispensing chemist. The staff at their new residence will give them their medication as directed but they are not allowed to give unmarked drugs of any sort. They have to come out of the bottle or box with the name of the patient, drug and dosage clearly written on the label by the pharmacist.

Your Relative’s General Practitioner

Your relative may be able to remain on their current GP’s list but this is not always possible. In this case your relative’s name will be added to the list of the doctor who looks after the residents in the home. The doctor may not visit for a day or two after her admission and the drugs they take in with them will be used until a new prescription is issued.

Staying Positive

Helping your relative to keep a positive attitude may be the hardest thing for you to cope with. Once a person has made the decision to be cared for in a nursing or care home they realise they’re giving up a large part of their life. They will no longer be able to do as they like when they like. They will be leaving their house and most of their belongings, leaving the place they have made home and may have lived in for many years perhaps with their beloved spouse. Their thoughts can become negative. Instead of looking forward to good times they look back at what they had or could do years ago, when they were in their prime.

You will need to remind them they will not be lonely any more. They won’t have to shop or cook for themselves, do the washing up or cleaning! Remind them they are only going to the nursing home or care home for two weeks initially and if they are unhappy they can return home. Help them to think of it as a holiday while you go away for a few days. You may find that the idea begins to regain its appeal if they think you will be away and they will be on her own for a time. Once your relative arrives in their new residence they will hopefully settle quickly and enjoy their new life. Some people adjust almost as soon as they arrive but others take a little longer to become accustomed to their new surroundings, new companions, new staff and new routine.