Mom with Covid

Bentley6

My 96 year old mom in nursing home has Covid.  My issue is with the nursing home, her roommate who’s bed is approximately 10’ from my moms who tested positive on Monday.  The nursing home did not isolate her to a location away from my mom and now my mom tested positive.  The answer I received from the director is the CDC states they only have to be 6’apart.  This is ludicrous, we are talking about elderly dementia patients who are over the age of 90 and not in the best health.  My mom has had 2 boosters with the last one given 8 days ago.

I think this is neglect on behalf of the nursing home for putting my mom in harms way and now she has a stuffy nose, very sleepy and only eating very little.  I have contacted my local state department here in Mass and the ombudsman and am waiting for return calls.  

I feel helpless because I cannot be there and I would go everyday.  I have to depend on them to make sure my mom gets fluids, this nursing home is short staffed like the rest of them and the care lacks, which is why I worry. She will be getting the anti viral medication in the morning. 

Has anyone recently had an experience with a loved one in nursing home with Covid?  How did they do and did they get the anti-viral medicine.

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Nerdyblond

Hi Bentley

I am seeing more and more about neglect in nursing homes. On their behalf they are overwhelmed and understaffed. Nobody wants that job. However, roommate really should have been isolated and you should have been notified. 

I am very sorry, you are among huge support here. I really hope things work out and the nursing home has accountability.

MN Chickadee

My mother's second facility did not have shared rooms, but the first did and I am guessing if a roommate had covid they did not move either one. There usually was not an open room to move them to, and also getting a PWD to stay in a new/strange place is really hard. It's so unfortunate, I know. I've been there, my mother got covid at the end of January and sadly did not survive it she passed about 3 weeks after she tested positive.  I don't know what their policy is at your place, but our facility did not make us stay away during her quarantine. Visiting "wasn't recommended" but also not prohibited. My frail father stayed away until after her quarantine was over. I was vaxxed and boosted and my kids had just had covid a few weeks before this so I figured I was already exposed and/or immune at that point and I still visited her during her infectious period, wearing a KN95 with a surgical mask over it and opening the windows for ventilation. I brought Ensure and spent time trying to work on her fluid intake. Hopefully the anti-viral pills help your mom, these were not widely available back then and my mom couldn't get any of the treatments as they were in short supply. They can really improve outcomes. My mother didn't have much for typical symptoms, just a runny nose, but she just kind of started to wither. The quarantine was hard on her. I sometimes wonder if being in her room for a week and out of her routine was worse than the covid. I hope I didn't upset you, just wanted to share in case any of it helps.

harshedbuzz

Ugh. I am sorry for you and your dear mom.

A friend's 87 year old mom contracted Covid at her AL during an outbreak at their facility last Thanksgiving. She was tested because she had a known exposure- her bridge partner with whom she took all meals contracted Covid. She was vaccinated and boosted (Pfizer) and never developed symptoms. Her friend was also vaccinated and boosted and while she was miserable, she recovered well. 

A few posters have been through Covid with their LO; some in facilities and some at home. Many did pretty well with it. 

My friend's 94-year-old mom was in a SNF with Covid back in September 2021. She had undiagnosed dementia per a CT scan/behaviors. The CT scan was ordered because she passed out in her IL cottage; it was compared to one done only 4 years ago when she broke a hip. She took a hard right politically in the last years of her life and believed her "unusually robust" immune system would protect her, so she was not vaccinated. This was prior to the authorization of Paxlovid; she was treated with a course of Dexamethasone. 

Initially, she was hospitalized for a week about 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. While her blood tests showed improvement, her breathing worsened. Her granddaughter is an ICU CNP who worked in a Covid ward agreed with the attending that recovery was not in the cards, so she was transferred to the SNF at her CCRC where hospice was brought in. The hospital was overwhelmed at that point and mom was kept in a cordoned off area of the ER with an ICU team providing care. She did have a private room in the SNF, but I recall she had a private room after breaking her hip as well. She did not recover and died about 3 weeks after she left the hospital. My friend and her children were able to visit as much as they wanted in both the hospital and SNF.

HB

Olly_Bake

We put our love ones in nursing homes for numerous reasons only to find it is lacking at many facilities. Yes, much neglect happening. I was seeing it right off in a larger nursing home. Then thought a smaller nursing home would be better. Boy was I wrong and my loved one suffered a serious injury within weeks. 

As another poster said, who wants that job? Why work in a nursing home or as a personal care assistant making under $15 an hour when you can make $14 at Wendy’s or $15 at Wal-Mart. No excuse when you take on that job role but it is the reality. I’m glad you are looking out for your loved one.

Nursing homes from my understanding earn over $6000 monthly per person so why, why, why?

Prayers for recovery!!

Bentley6

Thank you all for your prayers and responses.  Today the entire unit of 15 patients now have COVID because of the nursing homes neglect to isolate.  My mom is not expected to survive and I can’t begin to tell you the anger I feel.  This should have never happened and I will hire a lawyer and am speaking to the state to investigate.

jmlarue

How awful! I am so heartbroken for what your Mom and you are going through. Sending a virtual hug and will keep you both in my prayers.

harshedbuzz

Bentley-

I am so sorry for your mom's prognosis. 

HB

MN Chickadee

I'm so, so sorry.  Unfortunately I understand how hard this is. You will have time later for questions and lawyers. Now is the time to focus on helping your mom have a smooth landing. Now is the time to tell her what is in your heart, to touch and cherish and soothe. To set the tone for a safe passage and release her peacefully from this body and mind. It's a gift you can give her, the only thing you can do for her at this moment. You don't get a do-over so seize these precious last days and meet them with clear eyes and a clear heart and without distraction. I would give anything for one more moment. I'll be thinking of you.