so what time is your mum put to bed in the CH?

I've worked in three care homes over the years. One I worked nights, so I don't know what time meds were given there, but often all the residents were still up when I arrived at 9pm, and we left it up to them to decide when they were ready to go to bed, we'd ask every now and then if they wanted to, but didn't push them. One lady used to sleep during the day because she wanted to be up all night "because that's when they come for you" She would potter around after me while I cleaned and then we'd play cards, drink tea or just chat.

The other two homes both had times for each residents meds noted on the drug sheets, so were given according to that and not set times such as midday, 5pm and 8pm etc.

One of the evening carers in one home, would complain when she came on shift if people weren't either already in bed or at least dressed for bed, (in fact she would pull new/agency staff to one side and insist they had certain, more awkward residents in bed before her shift) but after complaints to the manager about her attitude and a concern from day carers that she might then be forcing residents to go to bed before they were ready to themselves, she was investigated and sacked.

As for toileting through the night, night carers would check the incontinent residents regularly through the night and change them if necessary, assist anyone who rang their bell or was already disturbed, when doing the rounds, to the toilet, but if people were asleep, they weren't roused specially to make a loo-trip.

I was lucky in the homes I worked in, in so much as the managers were all very hands on, very caring and adamant the residents should come first always.

Gem x