"Modified diet requirements"

My dad was brought from A&E to ward 2 South. I was with him as he has dementia. In the first 4 hours on the ward the nurse took dad's weight and HCA took his obs. Another HCA asked what dinner dad would prefer and I explained he was on a modified diet and a suitable meal was brought to him. I was however concerned when a jug of orange juice was left in the window sill with a box of thickener, as I was concerned he may try to eat the thickener.

I went to mix his drink to his assessed level but the thickener had no scoop in it. I did ask for one but one couldn't be got. I asked that the thickener be kept where dad couldn't get it and it was put in a locked cupboard. Luckily I had a premixed drink with me for him. I don't think it was wise to leave a jug of non-thickened fluid in reach of a man with dementia,  who is suffering from aspiration pneumonia and is assessed to require thickened fluids. Could a glass be mixed and left with him instead? 

Other family members arrived after 4 hours and I sought the nurse out to see if information was required. He had no information on his board to say he was on a modified diet and we had not the capacity to stay 24/7 with him, so it is always a big worry, never mind that he is unhappy with change and clinically unwell. 

I appreciate the care and attention he received on the ward and he repeatedly said everyone was lovely. 

I just felt understanding around the dangers of thickener and the need for modified fluids could be improved. We have to entrust our loved ones to your care when they are ill and we can offer a lot of insight into the management of their care if we are spoken to. I realise you have your forms to fill in but sometimes a short chat with family can make the stay easier for our loved one, staff and other patients.

Also the difficulty getting through to the ward on the phone was impossible. Could family members be given a time to call for an update, or if we were told we would receive an update call at a certain time range? It would save having the phone constantly ringing and families becoming distressed. Sometimes it's only to find out if the person was distressed during the night.