Does anyone know if there are standard guidelines that homes are required to follow when there are male & female patients living in the same wing.
My father is in an Alzheimer's Unit and we've had a siutation arise where a female patient has shown an interest in my father. I'm concerned for a number of reasons:
The staff tells me that Margaret was the one who initiated the whole situation. She tells everyone that he is her husband. And be comes agitated when the staff try to tell her otherwise or separate them.
My father is not capable of recognizing his own family members; therefore, how can he possibly know who Margaret is or make informed choices?
My father was placed in the unit because he had become aggressive with my step-mother. What happens and whose responsibility is it if he becomes aggressive with this patient?
The staff has told us they try to uphold the patient's dignity and not interfere, but when does that cross the line with letting another patient take control of his life?
What if the shoe was on the other foot and my father was the aggressor? Would they be as willing to look the other way?
I know my father well enough to reasonably conclude that this would not be his choice. After my mother died, he chose to remarry rather than live with my step-mother. His values were always very clear. I guess I feel like his values are being compromised in order to keep another patient happy and cause less aggravation for the staff.
I'd love to hear from some of you who may have had a similar experience or have any insight into how a situation like this is handled elsewhere.
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