*&^@ Assisted Care Facilities...

[shadowkat]

Irritable as hell tonight. It's that time of month. Clearly.

Am worried about my granny and parents. They've put her in an Assisted Care Living Center in South Carolina. For the first three or four months, everything was hunky-dory. Now? Not so much. My mother keeps spending the night there. And for the last three nights paid for someone else to stay the night. She has found out from the people working there that they are grossly understaffed. That there is only one person on call at night, instead of the advertised two or three. That they do not check the medication closely - at least four-five times now they gave my granny the wrong dosage. And they are lying to my mother about the level of care they are providing.

I suggested my parents consult an attorney and have the attorney write a letter to the CEO or head of the company that owns and operates the facility. Since off the bat I see breach of contract and negligence.

But my parents are like me, conflict phobes. (I react to conflict in one of two ways - I either lash out like a cat or I run. Neither is good. But some things aren't so easy to change. ) They also really don't want to have to move my grandmother again - since it will only confuse her, she's confused enough as it is. And loves her little room and the environment. As it is right now, she can't focus enough to read.

Earlier this week, my mother took her out in her little red Miata convertable - let the wind blow in her hair - which cheered her up considerably. And I've been sending her cards when I can. Wish I could do more.

It's so frustrating. And I'm sooo angry at the Assisted Care Facility - who keeps making excuses for why the level of care is so bad. They are paying this facility a lot of money.
Too much for these excuses.

But alas, there's zip I can do but be supportive.

For some weird reason I just want to kick people today. I've no idea why. Since I can't kick people at work or the stupid Assisted Care people - I've resorted to being snarky about the Buffy comic - apologies to flist for that, seriously folks why you put up with me I'll never know (I hope people realize that I like the thing, just like to poke at it, it's easier to poke at comics and tv shows than real life things. Not to mention harmless.). Honestly, the internet is a dangerous place, almost as dangerous as Borders bookstores. Methinks I need to watch Casio Royale tomorrow. Or maybe my new Remington Steel DVD. Or Dexter - which is sitting patiently on my DVR for my perusal. But stay away from red wine which is starting to give me wicked heartburn again. ;-)

Comments

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

Can you make your gran a video of you? Maybe just talking into the video or even reading her a story? I bet she would like that. My mom is in assisted care - I take her outside to get fresh air when it's warm enough and I read her stories. I don't even know how much of her is still there but she sure appreciates the visits. If your gran is already confused - moving her to a better facility will not necessarily be a bad thing. She will adjust I bet.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Nope. Don't own a video camera or digital camera. Just sending her cards.
Mom said the phone isn't as great - since she has to get up and all. But she loves to get mail.

She adapts well. My mother just doesn't want to move her again so soon. She moved from Liberty to Hilton Head in August. Then was in and out of the hospital this month. She likes her apartment and is comfortable - well as comfortable as one can be. I suggested pushing for more care at the facility but doesn't appear to be workable. Lawyer? Parents don't want to do that.
Mom said she's thinking they'll just have to move her to a facility that can provide more care...

My heart breaks for her. But what can one do? (shrugs)

[atpolittlebit.livejournal.com]

Is there a newspaper/TV station in the area that might be interested in investigating the care given by the Assisted Care Facility? Because that level of care is absolutely sub-standard, contract or no. And giving the wrong medication dosage is not acceptable in a single instance, let alone the four to five times you know about. Contacting someone like that is something you can do.

I can also understand not wanting to move her, but in the long run it would be better to get her somewhere that your mom (and you) can feel confident that she's getting the care she needs when no one is there to watch. Your grandmother will become accustomed to a new environment, and in a good facility that can happen more quickly because the caregivers will want that to happen as well. And I speak from way too much experience with both short and long term care for five family members now.

Thinking of you and hoping things work out for the best for everyone.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I talked to my father again tonight. Apparently they are taking the honey approach - they are making friends with the staff and browbeating the management. Getting the staff on their side. It appears to be working. They took really good care of her today.

While moving her sounds great in theory - there's only one problem. Where?
There's a limited number of places on the island where they live. And they are a little afraid of moving her someplace worse - ie from the frying pan into the fire so to speak.

They think they should be careful, try to get the staff on their side. It's not a bad idea. Appears to be working at any rate.

[anomster.livejournal.com]

Getting the staff on their (her) side can help some, but if the place is understaffed in the 1st place, there's a limit to how much good it can do. One other option is to report the place to the state authorities. There must be a regulatory agency that deals w/assisted living & nursing facilities. Maybe separate ones for the negligence & the breach of contract (I'd have thought fraud, if they're outright lying, but you're the lawyer). Of course, how well such agencies do their job also varies, but it might be worth considering.

'Kat, I'm so sorry your grandmother is in this situation w/her health & the assisted care place, & about what it's putting you & your family through. I know you wish you could do more, but don't minimize what you are doing--as you've said, she enjoys your cards, & that counts for a lot. Do you know someone who might be willing to lend you their videocamera (if you feel comfortable enough in front of it)? Or at least, could the staff move the phone in your grandmother's room so she could reach it without getting up? When my aunt was in a rehabilitation center after she fell & became disoriented, just moving the phone made a big difference.

In any case, I hope your grandmother's care improves. Your urge to kick people is entirely understandable!