They deemed that she was constipated. Shes very fastidious and so does not respond well to things like being touched in those areas.
What upsets me is that she has been suffering from dementia, and is incapable of making decisions on her own. The facility called us the next day, telling us that they performed the enema and she responded aggressively, and hurt her back. Shes now a vegetable and cant move from her bed.
Are they allowed to perform these things without consulting the family first?
3 comments
Yes, they can do it. Depending on how long it had been since she last passed stool it can be an emergency. An enema is a normal procedure same as giving pills it is not a procedure which requires written consent. What would be abnormal is if she broke her back during that procedure if that’s what you’re saying?
First, let me say that I am very sorry about the situation with your grandmother.
According to my wife (licensed as a care manager, but currently working in consultation with families of early on-set dementia), it would all depend on the particulars in the contract. If it was determined to be a necessary routine medical procedure, that may not be something they would have to get prior approval for from the family. Some contracts will specify that unless a doctor is involved they don’t need the approval.
If you feel that they took unnecessary risk, first meet with the management at the facility and find out what actually happened. Find the agency that regulates care facilities and file a complaint to launch an investigation.
People of that age can deteriorate overnight. What they did was probably necessary if she does not pass stool anymore.Queen Elizabeth as an example, she died at the age of 96. One day she was welcoming the new prime minister of UK beaming and all, the next two days, she died.