I just got a phone call from my brother. It's Sunday afternoon, March 10, 2013. He was quite upset, because the nursing home has misplaced his hearing aid. I was surprised I could even talk to him because usually he has a hard time hearing on a phone, even with his hearing aid on. I told him I would call the nurses desk and find out what's going on.
So I called and I was told that he had given it to his CN last night and now no one knows where it is. She didn't come in today like she was supposed to. They are calling her supervisor. I asked them to call me one way or another. They said ok.
It is aggravating to me that I have to find out from my brother that is missing. This is not easy to replace. It costs more than $2000, it means taking a day off from work to take him in, and it's another trip once it is made to make sure it works properly.
Hello, I found your blog through "Supporting IL Brothers and Sisters". I understand your frustrations 100%. I have a sister (she is 25, I am 27) who is severally mentally retarded and non verbal (mental age 18months to 2yrs). I joke that its not HER but her care-givers that drive me up the wall. My Mom pays for caregivers to come in, one 9-5pm, and someone for evenings/overnights and weekends (if she wants to go out or socialize) and its amazing how people that are being PAID to be caregivers act like its outside of their job description to actually provide CARE. You would be amazed at how many times I am called at work, reminding me that she is out of Depends or tomato sauce or something asinine, and then the food is not put away correctly, or something goes missing. I know that they do take good care of her all things considered, and she loves them, but I often feel they do not take their job seriously because they know we NEED them so we can go to work to pay the bills. I am sorry someone lost your brother's hearing aid.
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding, it's great to finally get in contact with someone. I am happy to report that they found the hearing aid the next day.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about the caregivers. But I keep on reminding myself that they make next to nothing, not really enough to support themselves. And some of them really have hearts of gold, despite that their own lives are so tough.
I think it's great that you area in touch with a sib support group. I'm 60. Such a thing didn't exist when I was younger. This used to be a thing that families hid. At least mine did.
I don't have much time to get together but I stalk the list serves. Just make sure you take care of yourself and make sure you have a life too. Since my brother has stabilized in health, I've been able to make some space and time for myself and my family. It feels great!!
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