Urgent care diagnosed my mother with Alzheimer’s with bed bug bites, but staff doesn’t think that is the problem. Mother staying with me until I can understand what to do. She was covered in bite like marks, scratching until she had broken the skin in many places. There were blood spots on her bed and nightgown. What is the protocol to make sure there are no bedbugs and then what else could it be? The doctor didn’t think it was an allergic rash. I don’t know how to handle this! I’m afraid to take her back to her place!
This information should go to the DON and Social Worker, in writing. And you need to ask what their plan for remediation is. There is usually a State-specific mandated protocol that is required in places like hotels, ALs and apartments that must be followed.
At least in NYC, an on-site inspection must be done by a qualified professional within X number of hours/days. If evidence to bed bugs is found, extermination procedures must be obtained by the landlord and all adjacent units examined. There is specific protocol for bedding, clothing, etc.
Have you examined your mother's clothing, bedding, etc. for evidence?
What does staff think the bites come from?
Please let us know the outcome of this; I had bedbugs, discovered on Christmas Eve two years ago. It's not an experience I'd wish on anyone.
Have you got Urgent Care's opinion in writing? If not, can you get it? You then copy this to the ALF's lead manager, to the CEO if the facility is part of a group, and to whichever state regulators operate in your locale - you can find them online if you dig around a bit, try "reporting ALF problems in [name of county or state]."
What would make me see red is not so much the potential infestation but the facility's dismissive attitude. Keep your mother safe with you until this is resolved. Hire help, and keep every invoice. If you can, withhold her ALF fees. You are going for:
a) a proper investigation of your mother's room
b) if an infestation is found, the total replacement of her mattress and all soft furnishings and any clothing that may be harbouring varmints
c) deep cleaning
d) wider investigation of other residents' rooms
e) reimbursement of all expenses you have incurred
If the manager of the ALF has the sense he or she was born with, the second you start making this complaint formal s/he will spring into action and begin the protocol they must certainly have in place. In that case, assuming you don't want to move your mother, be gracious and co-operative. But if that doesn't happen FAST, keep referring up until you get results. Good luck, let us know how you're doing.
This NHS link has very clear stage-by-stage pictures. I sort of hope they won't look familiar :(
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scabies/
Also, spray on lidocaine (sunburn spray) might help.
Does your mother have a cat or dog or does one visit.
Did Mom recently move into this apartment? Was it empty for a while? Did the previous owner have animals?
Flea eggs can survive up to a year and as soon as something warm blooded arrives they spring into action. They are actually species specific but when hungry bite anything. If you go into a badly infested room wearing light colored pants you will immediately see your legs covered in black spots.You can brush them off but inevitably a few will hitch a ride home.
It is said that if you place a dish in the room with a lighted candle in water you will find dead ones in the morning.
They do itch like crazy and there is no way Mom can keep from scratching so find a good anti itch cream and cover her with it.
The best thing to do would be to call an exterminator and you should insist that the facility does this immediately and remediates the problem at their expense.
Do not bring any of Mom's clothes to your home till the exterminator has done his job.
There are plenty of sprays and bombs you can use if it comes down to a DIY job. You may need several applications but they are pretty effective these days.
My only is on fleas however loudly CM is screaming as she runs down the road in her underwear.
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