Friday Afternoon in the Lounge

Friday, April 26, 2:40pm
Dressed in Lounge

Kathleen and I spot Bernie across the room and he is sitting in an easy chair in conversation with a visiting priest. We busy ourselves with paperwork for Bernie and return a few minutes later.

Bernie is dozing. "How are you doing?" "Not too bad." Kathleen begins a conversation, but Bernie is confused and can't quite figure out  the question.  He complains of pain at his bottom, and we figure out he is referring to the previous sore which is being treated.

Kathleen asks if he feels confused, and he says, "Yes, I suppose so." He seems upset and we keep our conversation short.

I got a call earlier in the day and search out the nurse who called. She had reported that he was confused during the night and fell out of his bed. Deliberately the beds are lowered close to the floor each night to minimize the risk. The nurses found him immediately and gave him a brief examination and checked his temperature.  A few hours again they check once more, to find him showing no ill effects from the fall.  He seemed confused but rested the remainder of the night.

The nurses also reported he was incontinent. He has lost all bladder control. This may have been a result of a catheter for nearly a month. They believe he can regain control.

After talking with several nurses and Alice (RN) who is the administrator, all believe he should not return to his private room. The additional attention and group activities in the Special Care wing are necessary and helpful.

Next week we'll try to get his telephone transferred to his new room. We'll update the number in the box to the right.