Cutting Nails Of A Diabetic Person.

[Tilly2]

My Dad who is in a care home, is always 'mithering' about his finger nails being too long. He has his toenails cut by a chiropodist but she does not do his finger nails. His carers file his nails occasionally when asks enough times. Anyway, I took all my paraphernalia over today with a view to cutting his finger nails.

When I got there I asked for a bowl of warm water so that he could soak his hands and nails before I cut them. I was told by the carer in charge that I wasn't allowed to cut them because he is diabetic.

I asked to speak to the manager who said I shouldn't do it because I'm not trained. I replied saying that if my Dad was living with me I would cut his nails so what was the difference. I was allowed to do it but had to say that I took full responsibility. I managed not to chop the end of his fingers off!

Has anyone else come across this or a similar scenario?

[tonyav]

I haven't Yilly, but well done you.

[woofgang]

Tilly, they are talking botox. total botox. If they...ha ..... cut up again, ask to see the rule in writing and ask them what he reason for the rule is (not just "because he's diabetic") I can get why the carers in the home are not allowed to do nail care because normal care and good sense is needed and sadly that cannot be relied on in carers in res care. provided that your father agrees, there is nothing to stop you cutting his nails, hair, or anything else that he may want cut.

[woofgang]

and if they say "health and safety" HIT them with something

[hc4361]

It is toenail cutting that is problematic for people with diabetes and indeed great care should be taken as the person may have no feeling or reduced feeling in this toes.

As far as I know this doesn't apply to fingernails so usual care applies.

[Tilly2]

It seems to be something that arrived with the new manager a couple of years ago. Where can I go to to get a definitive 'ruling' on this? They may just keep saying the same thing.

[woofgang]

My mother had altered sensation in her fingers as well hc

[Tilly2]

hc, do you think they have mixed up their toenails and their finger nails?

[Tilly2]

Anymore help with this, please?

[Sycamore3House]

I haven't heard the phrase 'mithering' for quite a while now. That was one of my Dad's sayings. Out of curiosity is it a northern saying or do people down south recognise it?

[Tilly2]

I'm from the West Midlands (Stoke) and we say it all the time.

[tonyav]

Oi, Stoke is the North Midlands, Yilly.

[ethandron]

Tilly, I would take the opposite approach and continue cutting your dads finger nails until the manager or whoever can point you in the direction of the rule/law which says you can't.
If they keep saying you can't, then you keep saying I can and I will until you can show me something which tells me different.

[Tilly2]

That sounds like a good plan, ethandron. I will do that. Thank you.

[woofgang]

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes-OLD/Introduction-to-diabetes/Myths_and_FAQs/ scroll down to myth about toe nails

[Tilly2]

Thanks for that, woof. That's good news.

[IggyB]

There won't be any national rule about cutting finger nails, it will however be a local company policy. Just to play devils advocate here it does sound like they are looking out for your dad, small cuts to the fingers caused by the clipping itself or by leaving sharp edges to the nails could make a route by which infection could enter the body which may then cause problems because of his diabetes, by filing the nails instead of cutting them they are reducing the risk of this happening. It must take them longer to file than clip so they aren't choosing the easiest option for themselves?

[pixie373]

Tilly, in care homes, carers are allowed to cut fingernails, but not toenails. That is in case they are diabetic (not everyone has been diagnosed) and any slight cut can take a very long time to heal. However, those are the rules for professional carers. As a relative, with his permission, you can do whatever you like.

[Tilly2]

Pixie, can you guide me to these 'rules', please?

[Tilly2]

Iggy, I wan't implying that they were taking the easy way out. I just think they were being a bit high handed today in telling me that I wasn't allowed to cut his nails. I do understand that cuts can cause problems.

[pixie373]

Look up "Policies and Procedures" for his particular home online. I think the problem is that you asked first- which has put the responsibility onto them. I doubt anyone would have had a problem if you had just gone ahead, as you couldn't sue them for that.
I'll have a look for generic guidelines...