Several hours ago I posted in reply to a question that my mother seemed to be transitioning into the nursing home and feeling more at home. Well, today is another day! In another post, I stated that my mother, incontinent, in a wheelchair due to (actually, I don't know why, other than she has very weak muscle tone and is over weight) and needs oxygen. She is also bipolar with early dementia. Her bipolar condition is treated very successfully with medication, but since she entered the center in June, she has already had to be hospitalized in a psych ward for a short stay due to a UTI coupled with their not administering her psych meds properly. Before she was hospitalized, she became combative and started getting into her roomate's things. We were told that my mother had to find a new room because of the complaints even though this woman had moved into her room. We were told it's the center's policy to move the difficult roomate. OK, we accepted that, and when she returned from the psych ward she was placed with someone they said my mother would get along with. They neglected to tell us that the woman keeps her TV on 24/7 and so loud that it is impossible to visit in the room. It also blares through the night. When they ask her to turn it down, she does momentarily or cusses at them. It is torture! My mother has no place of peace in her own room. We have made a complaint, and they said they are going to get the women headphones next week -I guess they're not allowed to turn off TV or take away her remote. I feel as if my mother is being punished. Why in the world would they think my mother would do well with this roomate? My mother's blood sugar is sky high and she complained of a headache and also of a CNA arguing with her and being mean to her over an issue with her oxygen. I reported all this. Does it get any better? I'm thinking if we can just get my father Medicaid approved, he can be her roomate, but I don't know what to expect of this nursing home.
My husband stayed at home during his 10 years of dementia. He had the tv up LOUD all the time for about a week. I knew I could not tolerate that so I bought a wireless headset for him. At first he was put out. But then he discovered he could hear better with the sound right in his ear, and he could keep listening if he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of a show. He wore them all the time after that.
I don't believe in ghosts, but I have threatened my children that if I ever find myself where I am forced to listen to other people's television choices I will find a way to come back and haunt them!
I can understand why this situation would be intolerable for your mother. Perhaps if the roommate will use a head set your mother would really get along with her.
So I guess my answer to your question: does it ever get better at the nursing home, is no, it doesn't ever get better at the nursing home.