Hello everyone!

I’m sitting here with my mom, and a person from the restorative department comes in to give her physical therapy.

Mom has been grinding her teeth a lot lately. I believe she’s experiencing some type of discomfort, and this may be a coping mechanism.

What amazes me is that most of the staff doesn’t seem to be concerned with this behavior.

Noticing Changes in a Nursing Home Resident’s Behavior

Mom doesn’t grind her teeth all the time. This behavior is fairly new to her and basically started when she arrived at this facility.

What I did notice is that while the restorative staff member was here, she stopped grinding her teeth.

So, I’m waiting to see if she starts grinding her teeth again since the restorative staff member has left.

She appears to be relaxed and is actually heading to sleep.

No teeth grinding so far.

Why Physical Therapy Matters for My Mom

I’m so glad that my sister and I advocated for my mom to continue receiving physical therapy multiple times a week.

The facility kept starting and stopping her therapy, stating insurance limitations.

We researched her situation and advocated for her continued therapy services. As a result, she is receiving therapy again.

Family members, you must advocate for your loved ones to help ensure their rights are respected and their daily needs are being met.

Advocating for a Bedridden Loved One on a Ventilator

This might seem like a small thing, but my mom needs that continuous therapy and support, especially being bedridden and on a ventilator.

Her limbs and joints need movement and exercise as appropriate for her medical condition and care plan.

I’m grateful to God that we are able to get many things done for my mom.

We believe in researching and asking questions.

Our desire is not to give anyone a hard time but to get the best treatment possible for our mom.

Family Advocacy Makes a Difference in Senior Care

When you have a loved one living in a nursing facility, it’s important to pay attention to changes in their behavior and daily care.

Something that may seem small can be worth bringing to the attention of the nursing staff or medical team.

In my mom’s case, I’ve noticed that her teeth grinding stopped during restorative therapy. I don’t yet know why, but it’s something I want to continue observing and discussing with her care team.

Families should not be afraid to ask questions, request explanations, and advocate for the care their loved ones need.

Brenda