BenCognito
Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2008
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
Had this interesting situation arise. Had to do some quick pondering to contemplate how to handle it. Wished it had come up on here before so I would have had an outcome already planned out.
A couple showed up today for a several day stay. I show her to her room, husband was still at the car. As I am pointing out he features of the room, he shows up at the door to the room and then looked confused as he said "Oh, sorry I have the wrong room." To which his wife said no, this is the right room, come on in and I said the same thing almost at the same time. He looked confused but then happy to see his wife. He then wandered back out to the car. She confided in me that he had early Alzheimers and this was their last trip to the region they had both fallen in love with and spent much time in. She seemed a bit sadened by the reality of the situation. I got them settled in and all seemed fine.
While checking in another couple and showing them their room, the gentleman from the first couple showed up walking into their room and saying hi to everyone. I politely redirected him to his own room. He seemed embarassed and confused. The other guests I was checking in smiled and chuckled a bit (as though they just chalked it up to too much to drink). No harm done.
While I was running their paperwork and gathering some things they had asked for, I got to thinking that this gentleman was probably going to enter the wrong room again and I didn't want them getting overly upset with him, thinking he was doing it on purpose or was drunk or something.
As I saw it, I had two choices:
1) Do as I always try to do and respect everyone's privacy and say nothing.
2) Break confidence and let the second couple know that the person may do it again and that he doesn't mean it.
I chose #2. When I brought something they had requested to their room, I informed them that it may happen again and gave them the short version of why. They seemed to appreciate the situation and thanked me for letting them know.
I partially regret the breach of confidentiality, but I also think it will make for a more gentle stay for all involved. I am ok with what I chose to do but I bring it up here so we can hash it over and you can consider an option that might be right for your own setting should something similar arise.
A couple showed up today for a several day stay. I show her to her room, husband was still at the car. As I am pointing out he features of the room, he shows up at the door to the room and then looked confused as he said "Oh, sorry I have the wrong room." To which his wife said no, this is the right room, come on in and I said the same thing almost at the same time. He looked confused but then happy to see his wife. He then wandered back out to the car. She confided in me that he had early Alzheimers and this was their last trip to the region they had both fallen in love with and spent much time in. She seemed a bit sadened by the reality of the situation. I got them settled in and all seemed fine.
While checking in another couple and showing them their room, the gentleman from the first couple showed up walking into their room and saying hi to everyone. I politely redirected him to his own room. He seemed embarassed and confused. The other guests I was checking in smiled and chuckled a bit (as though they just chalked it up to too much to drink). No harm done.
While I was running their paperwork and gathering some things they had asked for, I got to thinking that this gentleman was probably going to enter the wrong room again and I didn't want them getting overly upset with him, thinking he was doing it on purpose or was drunk or something.
As I saw it, I had two choices:
1) Do as I always try to do and respect everyone's privacy and say nothing.
2) Break confidence and let the second couple know that the person may do it again and that he doesn't mean it.
I chose #2. When I brought something they had requested to their room, I informed them that it may happen again and gave them the short version of why. They seemed to appreciate the situation and thanked me for letting them know.
I partially regret the breach of confidentiality, but I also think it will make for a more gentle stay for all involved. I am ok with what I chose to do but I bring it up here so we can hash it over and you can consider an option that might be right for your own setting should something similar arise.