Alzheimer's Blogging Alzheimersblogging

Today has been an eventful day. I am working on my ambulance and I got the pleasure to pick up a 90 yr old female who had tripped over her legs and fell. She hit her head, did not pass out, but she may require some stitches to her hand. Her skin is also very thin and blood was under some of it from the fall and if they are not careful, she could have a terrible skin tear. I thought that I needed to talk today about things you to make sure the nursing home knows when you have your loved one live there. First please let them know if your loved one has any allergies. At this nursing home the staff did not know if this patient had any allergies, and this is very important for the ambulance crew to know. Second, please let them know what kind of medical history and what medication they are on. But most important please give the staff your contact information. When they wanted to call the family, the number that was given did not work. Now this patient also had dementia. She was so cute when she told us to call her daughter, and didn't really know where she was living. She got mad at us because we took her in our ambulance and did not bring her wagon, which carried all her important items including money. But later in the ride she calmed down even though she had no idea where she was. When I asked her if she had any pain, she pulled on her bra and said it was to tight. I love these patients. Please if you put your dementia loved one in a nursing home please remember what I the important things that the staff needs to know. It could save her life.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com