Dorothy is feeling better- she had a rough end of week/weekend with cold sores. After mom gets sick- she ends her sickness with cold sores. I made sure that she had Vaseline and other over the counter medication for cold sores when she was moved into memory care- just in case. The end of last week, I got the call that she had them and that she started complaining of her lips hurting. I let them know that mom had over the counter medicine in her room. They informed me that they are not allowed- per state law- to administer any medications without a doctor’s directive. I was like- really- it’s over the counter meds- they refused. Which I totally understand – they could lose their license. I get it- but I don’t get it- really! It’s over the counter meds for an obvious need. Oh my! When knew? I did not. What else do I do not know.
Oh My- so in short -mom had to suffer for a few days until I could get in touch with the doctor – because they were shut down for the holiday weekend and they offer no emergency assistance (after leaving two messages and calling back to talk to someone in person – frustrated) when the doctor finally calls -late in the day- they told me they did a face-time with Dorothy and saw the sores and informed me they were really bad, (I can’t imagine the pain she must be in- I hurt for her!) and she was going to call in an antibiotic. I feel really bad that I did not know I needed a doctor’s directive for everything —-yes, everything that she needs. So, I went to the drugstore and loaded up on everyday things, you need every once in a while. I listed them by name, why she would need them and directed them to the directions on the product for administering. I will send this to the doctor for them to write a directive on all of this.
The list is as follows- let me know if forgot anything. Bayer Back & Body for when she has lower back pain, Band-Aids & Neosporin in case of a cut or scrape, Benadryl cream for an itch, Carmex and Vaseline more- just in case, Phazyme Maximum Strength- even old people get gas, Ricola Sour Throat Drops, Visine Eye Drops, Pepto Bismol- you never know, Walgreens cold & Flu day and night, ZZZZ Quil NyQuil- you never know when you need help getting to sleep. She already has a directive for Tylenol (-:
I did get a returned call from the facility while writing this- the good news is I am not missing any other information. So, I feel good about that. She informed me to add flushable to the items I bring her. Remember there are no dumb questions. (-:
Also, we are in the process of getting mom transferred over to one of the doctors who are on call at the facility. They offer after hours and emergency service. (-: I am learning so much!
Love and Light!
Cheryl Doreen
Dorothy's Dementia 