Has anyone been for respite?

Bear · 25-08-2015, 04:21 AM

Hey.
I'm staying at a nursing home from tomorrow to give my carers and myself a break.
Has anyone ever been somewhere like this for either physical or emotional support? Mines for physical stuff but I'm hoping it'll help me mentally too.
What are care homes like? I feel a bit like things are getting out of hand, I can't stand up anymore so I'm in bed or a chair all day and now this, it's hard.
Any experiences would be lovely x
Ta

Cedrus · 25-08-2015, 09:19 AM

I haven't got any experiences with the above but I wanted to let you know that I acknowledge how difficult your situation must be and that I really do hope the respite admission at the care home really does give you some respite. Have you got any calming hobbies you can do there or things that empty your mind?

I hope you manage to make a few connections with the other people there so you have company. Thinking of you and really hoping it goes well!

Emmabob. · 25-08-2015, 10:16 AM

We've had a few people on respite, I think from speaking to people, adjusting to the changes of mealtimes is the hardest bit (both places I've done care meals have been like 830-9am breakfast, 1230 lunch then 430 dinner & supper around 8-9pm) where I am now (is care home rather than nursing) there's a few people on respite & they don't want to go home. It all depends a lot on the place, it shouldn't be too bad. Both places I've been have encouraged people to do their normal things, infact where I am at the moment, they allow people to smoke in their rooms just to keep that level of "normality" for them x

Bear · 25-08-2015, 03:02 PM

Awh Thank you so much for the lovely replies. I'm all packed and just being driven there now. My room sounds lovely, I get my own patio doors to the garden and a little bathroom.
And they have a cat

I'll post a little update when I'm settled, but thanks for the support xx

Bear · 26-08-2015, 11:25 AM

Well I've just been sitting in a big squashy chair eating tea and biscuits

Yesterday I had a chat with the other residents and watched a film. I'm on a soft diet so it's not the most appetising but it's ok. There's loads of little courtyards so I've been sat in the sun.
Emma, what's the difference between a care home and a nursing home?
Either way the staff seem nice. They said I can ring my bell if I hallucinate in the night.
I'm pretty happy here.

not_so_insig · 26-08-2015, 03:50 PM

Aww I am so pleased that you are happy. Sorry I haven't had any helpful replies before.

Bear · 27-08-2015, 02:24 AM

Thank you petal

what_the? · 27-08-2015, 07:33 AM

I'm glad you're pretty happy! It's great that you've found somewhere that's working.

I thought I'd just jump in with the residential care/nursing home distinction (sorry, this is my job...) Residential care means that there is no trained nursing oversight, so any nursing care needed will be provided by district nurses etc. Staff don't always have healthcare qualifications. A nursing home, means that there will be at least one trained nurse on all shift, so they tend to be for people who have more complex health needs.

Hope that makes sense and that you get what you need out of the respite placement.

Emmabob. · 28-08-2015, 06:30 AM

^ pretty much that. nursing homes have nurses 24/7 (or at least they did where I was) and can deal with more complex issues, where as carehomes tend to just be carers but have more involvement with outside medical professionals, such as nurses & things. the carehome which I'm at, there ARE a couple of nursing students, but a lot of people have btecs/nvq's.