What can I do about abuse at an assisted living facility.
By
on
December 31st, 2009
I went to visit a friend living in an ALF where these things were offered:
Nursing and therapy screenings
Educational and preventative support
Health and safety presentations
Vital sign and weight clinics
Flu clinics
Fall prevention clinic
Assistive device ‘check-up’ clinics
Outpatient referral services
Support for group exercise classes
Physician referal services
Assistance with daily activities, such as:
Bathing, dressing, medication reminders
Three delicious meals per day
Social activities
Transportation
Housekeeping
She has been denied all the above mentioned services except meals, maid service, and laundry.
Most of her meals have been eaten in her room. She turned in meal order each morning and I picked up and brought back to room. Empty tray was left in room or bathroom . When housekeepping came to clean trays were in shower. Housekeeping did not remove them or clean shower. Toilet was not cleaned, just disinfectant was poured in toilet. Trash was not taken out. No extra toilet paper was left. Four rolls are the customary number left. One light bulb was burnt out. It was not replaced. Also, furniture in room was not dusted.
Laundry was done but not returned until 10:00 pm. At this time Diane was asleep. Maid opened door and entered, turning on light so as to see how to put things away, waking Diane. Process of delivering and putting away laundry took about ½ hour. I have lived and taken care of patients in other facilities like the Fountains many times in the past. In these places laundry was always picked up and returned in the daytime so as not to disturb the patients. Also, no new towels were left on the normal schedule of early Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They had to be requested or her aide had to go get them before giving bath. Aide is a hired outside aide. This is another area where the Fountains have not provided advertised and paid for service. When the aide went into the bath (the one that is used by any resident who cannot be bathed in the small bathroom in the rooms) it was covered with dog hair. The ALF has a resident dog roaming around the building unattended. It even goes into the kitchen. It was found out that the dog is bathed and groomed in the bath where the residents are also bathed.
What can be done about this situation.
Sexy’s Back says:
umm. sue the shit out of them
December 31st, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Floyd says:
contact who ever is in charge
December 31st, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Kayla says:
This is likely the fault of the CNAs taking care of her. Many times, no one else at a facility knows about the lack of care a resident receives because they aren’t there constantly and they simply trust the CNAs to take proper care of all residents. The first thing you need to do is report it to a head nurse. If nothing is done, keep complaining to higher authorities until changes are made. You should also call a nursing home abuse hotline- ALF’s often won’t change their ways unless forced to do so.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
redhot_redhead says:
you can report it to the residents family or look up the authority over assisted living facilities in your state and make an anonymous complaint and keep doing that until you see results. you could even call the local department of family & children services they have child abuse & elderly abuse resources that will help you.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
davidmi711 says:
If you use the word abuse in your complaint in any manner you will promptly dismissed as a crack pot.
if her contract specifies that she receive those services and she has not received them then she would have the recourse of suing for breach of contract. However some of the services you listed would be something she would need to request. If she has not requested those services then they have not failed to provide them.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Vet’s Daughter says:
Have you brought your concerns up with the facilities administrator. That would be your first step.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Trout says:
Find out who runs the place and then ask them how they would feel if you described the lack of care they were giving to their children and parents
How would your mother feel knowing her little boy/girl — was behaving like this — How would your son or daughter like to know what you have been doing for that paycheck .
December 31st, 2009 at 5:34 pm
DR.Rosen says:
I am sorry to hear that. You should first go to th person in charge and complain verbally and by certified, letter to them with a receipt and signature of receipt to who signed for the lette. Then you should get in touch to all the agencies that have to do with Nursing homes. So if Medicare or mostly Medicaid pays for the stay you should complain to them, as well as the State and City agencies which have to do with licensing nursing home facilities. They may file the complaint and have a hearing. Lastly you should get in touch with a lawyer who specializes in elder care and abuse . AARP has a good list of lawyers, and see if you can sue them. If you are a friend and your friend is of sound mind , you can fill out the papers have her sign them, but also ask for power of attorney, strictly limited to this issue. I hope it all works out. She is lucky to have a person like you
Hope this work. Happy New Year
December 31st, 2009 at 6:18 pm