I write this to a very disturbing aspect I see in what we call our health "CARE" institutions. It is an opinion formed by experience. I should qualify that that is not the case all Care Institutions and some may have had great experiences and to that I can attest is also the case. However, what I write to is an alarming trend I do believe is being seen more and more frequently these days.
Most know it or have experienced it but ignore it. Frankly , many are conditioned and indoctrinated into accepting it, or are just plain scared for their loved ones still under care, who sometimes beg not to say anything. Just me, I doubt it. So if you are one that doesn't want to hear the bad read no further. The truth does hurt sometimes but actually that is how things get resolved.
Now many of you know I am a shut in talking care of a 94 year old mom and soon a 79 year old. I am her sole defense and protection from what I see as an ever increasing uncaring world. What, why say that? Well the fact is the Easter Bunny is not only in a Politicians garb. No unfortunately, the word of this century it comes in many disguises. In this case as a so called Professional Care Giver.
Who is this type of care giver I am talking about? They are the confrontational, guarded, defensive and cold, uncaring, going through the motion types with a demonstrated unconcerned attitude. Sadly I have found it more frequently in many of today's so called Care Givers. Oh, if you are one or know one and are offended, well sorry, they facts are the facts.
However, like I said earlier I would be remiss if I did not say many are good, fine, professionals. However, that does not exclude what is in my opinion "the new breed of some of the care givers . A goodly percentage of these new care providers are wrapped up in my opinion in what they do as a job. Nothing in my opinion could be further from the truth. So if you want to know why there is a demand for Care providers look to the responsibilities of the position. The hours, the shifts, the requirements. Many a nurse will rather have a patient lay there soiled then even change them. Why, it is not in their job description and even though there is only one CNA on duty for a good number of patients, they can wait. Yes and you wonder why a shortage? Now here is the really sad part of it. Many of these positions are being filled by "displaced unemployed Americans or imported foreign help" because frankly the position in my opinion has been regulated to - a JOB. Yes, out of work, retooled by Uncle Sam and with limited other future prospects, go into the Medical field. Think not just drop by any unemployment office. We are an aging society and see what they will tell you. Yes that is where the good jobs are. Sorry once again, fact. Yes Care Giving takes a special person, a special breed of person. If you go there for just a job, please don't go. You won't last and you will be very unhappy.
So here is a real life example gleaned from just one of multiple examples. Here is some actual replies from "Care Giver Professionals" when asked simple questions. In fact everyday questions like- "do you think perhaps a change in medication might help"? Reply - "don't tell me what to do or how to treat your mother andplease don't try to micro mange the staff and we'll let you know something when we have to, or it is necessary". Now this is not a fairy tale. I am the monster who pries and asks, and seeks and questions and how dare I do that? OK, God knows exactly what I am talking to and they will as well one day but not from me.
Ok you need more examples? Well I have been writing to the topic for years. Go back and read a few if you don't believe it. Patient advocates my A$%. There is no help for the defenseless you are at the mercy of the system and once you reach a certain age, well you've lived a good life. Yes, that is if its your loved one they are talking about, theirs, well only they and God know.
Tonight I asked for the condition concerning my mom. How was she doing? OK. Simple question simple answer, OK, did her lab tests come back? "I don't know I'll have to check". Nurse goes and gets the book with a sort of, well you are a pain expression. What does the report show? An infection. Ok, is it the same type she had been battling? No, a new type. What are they doing about that? I don't know. Can you check the chart for any notes? Sure. Will you see what they are giving her as medication and if it is different? Sure. I understood her doctor was going to put her on a new type of medication? Yes but we had to tell him that medicine was ineffective for her type of virus. Ok, let me understand this, you had to tell him that the medicine was ineffective? Yes, but he finally put her on another one. Ok who has been treating my mother? Dr, so and so? What happened to Dr. X who I spoke with and he said he would be treating her? They have different doctors looking at the patients and they come and go. Well doesn't he read the charts? I don't know you'll have to ask him? Can you read the chart and see if Dr. X has been in to see my mom? I wouldn't be able to tell you I can't read their handwriting. Is there a charge nurse on duty? Yes, but she is not here at this moment she's at a meeting. Now another young nurse storms over and I do mean storms over, picks up the phone and curtly calls the charge nurse. That is at least she thinks she's a nurse by her certificate. That my friends means crap to me. It is in your works that makes you what you are.
Need another example, different place. Ok, oh nurse can you take a look at my moms IV? I'm busy and on my rounds and I'll be getting to her. Nurse, I think you better come here now her arm looks like a balloon and is ready to pop. Ok, Ok, give me a minute. The nurse comes in looks and says "Oh my God" and rushes out. I go and get the charge nurse who arrives and I ask her, will you agree that a patient with an IV by law is to be checked every two hours? Yes Sir. Now are you going to tell me this woman has this condition and it developed in under two hours? No answer. Now I do not want to mention the general condition of the room. Soiled garments, an old worn band aide on the sink for days, old food lying about. Think this is not so, think again. I have seen blood wiped up with a towel in places. Now my 90 plus year old mom has been treated since October in and out of the hospital. Age you know. hey when she is well shes sharper then them. Every excuse under the sun given and they never talk about the days in between with no medication, the unreturned calls, lying in waste for hours. CNA's who can't speak English, lost clothing, hey what else. Hey enough said. The fact is if you say something that is Micro managing to them. Stay out of their way.
Well you have a Patient Advocate or Risk manager you can talk to. Give me a break, the charades of charades. State help useless, Federal help, what's that. Hey everyone gets the same level of care they brag. God help us all.
Now as I stated there are many good, decent caring people. If they could say something they would agree but they can't. The high level professional types, well their body language, tone of speech and inflection on words says it all. It says very clearly "leave me the hell alone". Yes and the good ones while not attacking their peers know exactly what I am talking to.
Yes I have seen it over and over from Doctors who don't care to come to see "their patient", except when they need to charge medicare for an office visit. Who won't return you telephone call and make you out to be the pain, the problem, the nuisance. How pathetic.
So please don't tell me attitudes are not the pits these days in many "professions" because my friends the truth is right before you if you care to open your eyes to see it. Yes, you can blame me and say I'm the negative one, but frankly, like I said, birds of a feather claim to be the good and all the while they do the most harm. You shall know them by their works, what they have done and sadly what they have failed to do. In my opinion it is another sign of the times.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio
Disclaimer: All information on this site is
provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice
provided to you by any health care or other professional or
organization.
