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Hello,


I am looking for an assisted living facility for my stepfather. He is good health aside from an ileostomy due to cancer and some kidney issues. He and my mother live alone at home, but she is ill and when she is gone, he doesn’t feel able to live at home anymore. He cares for his ileostomy himself presently although may not always be able to. Every assisted living facility I have spoken with doesn’t allow residents with ileostomy. I’m wondering if there is a different type of facility with more skilled care we should be looking for. This is all new to me. We are near Raleigh NC if anyone has info or a connection to a facility that would allow him to live there. Thank you.

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I don't think ALs are under the same restrictions as LTC are. ALs are privately owned and probably are allowed to except what they want and don't want. My Moms AL had 39 rooms. There was an RN during the day, an LPN for 2nd shift and CNAs all 3 shifts. CNAs are not medically trained so may not be able to help.

My daughter has worked NHs for over 25 years and some would not take trachs.
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Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Appreciate them. I have contacted probably 10 places and finally found 2 that said he would need to be assessed by their nurse but if they feel he can handle himself they will allow him. The others just flat out said no we don’t take ileostomy patients. It did surprise me this is such an issue as I know it is not considered skilled nursing to do a change. I did try the triangle ostomy association and they gave me a few leads but nothing concrete. I will look into your suggestions, thank you.
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AlvaDeer Apr 26, 2024
Thank YOU. I find this just shocking, really. I understand their not wanting to take on responsibility for something they consider medical, and there are issues of sterility for some few things, but this does surprise me a lot.
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It might be the NC scope of nursing care rules. Most ALs have LPNs and not RNs. You might find that all ALs cannot take him. There is a carepatrol.com in your area that might be able to assist you. They make their money in finders fees. Or you can hire a geriatric care manager who knows the area facilities.
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JoAnn29 Apr 27, 2024
In my State there must be an RN at the facility and available 24/7. LPNs are restricted in my State.
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A skilled nursing facility will take him for certain, or a group home. Since he is self-care I don’t understand why ALF won’t take him? I would call around and see if another ALF will.
Edit to add: See the link below and see what it says about the rights of an ostomy patient in an ALF. He shouldn’t be treated differently than anyone else.

https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Assisted_Living_Facilities_FAQ_Sheet.pdf

Look up Long Term Care Ombudsman in your area. These are people who advocate for patient’s rights in long term care facilities, which includes ALFs.
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I am quite shocked that ALFs are not allowing ileostomy. In my experience the ones I know of surely DO allow same, both ileostomy and colostomy, and especially in the case of an elder who is self caring or may need minimal assistance with bag changing.

I would keep looking at difference facilities.
You may, if you cannot find such a facility in your own area be down to nursing homes (which certainly DO have patients with such devices) or SNFs which also typically do.

There is no reason with a patient with long term ileostomy to require a specialty unit that I can think of if he is self caring.

Don't really know what to tell you.
I am assuming that when a facility told you that they "don't accept a patient with ileostomy or colostomy " that you asked them where then you should look for a facility that DOES???
What did they say to you. Really, today you can learn all you need to know about these devices on youtube. They certainly are easier than incontinent patients.
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Riverdale Apr 26, 2024
In the last SN facility my mother was in there was a resident with this condition. She really needed to be in locked down memory care but her daughter told me the facility said they could not handle that there. I would almost be surprised if an AL facility would accept a resident with this condition. I really think they pretty much will handle ADL's and not alot more that is too medical.
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Have you tried BAYADA - Raleigh, a home care agency? I found them in a general search; their website lists colostomy care among the comprehensive services provided, so perhaps ileostomy care is among the "other services" you'd have to call and ask about. Their number is (800) 755-1458.

Home care is usually cheaper, but according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in Raleigh an assisted living facility averages $6624 a month while a home aide averages $6673 so it will be interesting to see whether BAYADA can prove its claim that they're the less expensive option for a wide range of services.

And, if you haven't already, consider connecting with a support organization like the Triangle Area Ostomy Association (raleighuoa.org). You may get better recommendations from there.

Best wishes to your family.



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Genworth Cost of Care - www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care?adpos=1s2
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Check into board and care homes. I found that they will take cases like this when an AL will not.
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