Assisted living facility permanently locked closet doors for all residents. Mom's not aggressive shouldn't she have access?

I think that an across the board decision like this is out of line. Except for unusual circumstances, people should be able to access their closets. This is supposed to be their home.

I'd talk with the administrator and ask that exceptions be made. Remind the person that getting dressed or even picking out clothes is part of the activities of daily living.
Good luck and please let us know how this turns out.
Carol

Woah. That would alarm me a lot: the idea that the facility can come up with a blanket policy and apply it to all residents regardless of their individual needs or condition. So what does your mother have to do when she wants to access her own possessions? Does she call someone and that person attends to it straight away? How is this supposed to work?

On the other hand, has there been any problem, perhaps, with people getting into the wrong apartments, things being stolen, things going astray or getting broken? If you see this as being for your mother's protection, I suppose it's a bit different.

But I still wouldn't like a policy that didn't treat my mother as an individual. I'd want the ALF to have a very convincing argument for it, at least, if I were you.

Thanks for your help.I thought it is ludicrous too.My mom's clothes are on her chair, bed.Yes, she has to ask for permission and a tech unlocks for her.Get this, They have to ask to go to their apartment too.Their reasoning is if left in apartment they won't sleep at night and not stimulated.They like residents to crayons and coloring.The facility is a locked facility, I just feel bad she can't go in her closet even though she's NEVER displayed bad behavior.

It's probably not even up to the NH. My sister lives in a group home and when the state came through, everybody's closet had to be put in order and a lot of stuff had to be thrown away as a health/fire hazard.

Jeez. Taking Pam's point about regulatory requirements, all the same the place sounds like dementia boot camp. What do you think of how she's getting on there, though? If it's working for her, that's great, don't fix it; but :( - rather her than me..?!

Thanks everyone for your opinions.I sincerely appreciate it.She has good days and bad days.But the denied access to her apartment and closet really bother me.I just don't understand since the alfa starts new policy out of the blue.It's been in business for 7yyears and has an excellent record and reviews.I did my due diligence before placing her, I feel I was misled though. Her laundry is done separately, I do no that for sure. Thanks again everyone

Momhas, there is nothing to stop you checking out other, comparable facilities - not with a view to moving your mother so much (unless you find somewhere that's absolutely fabulous and half the price or something!) but to see if they're operating a similar policy too. Maybe it is becoming standard. But I don't think you should ever hesitate to question anything you're not happy with about your mother's care.