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Placed Mom in AL facility last year. The staff was great for several months. New management company took over and replaced the director, who in turn is systematically firing everybody and replacing them with employees from her previous place of employment, which is very close by. I find this deplorable, especially since the new hires are not as nice as the original ones.(They don't know that I speak Spanish, and I have been very distressed at the lack of professionalism in their conversation.) There is tremendous stress among the staff, and though Mom is not particularly aware of the situation, I am having a hard time overlooking this as we give them an enormous rent check each month. Is this type of situation standard procedure in the AL business world?

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It's very common in the commercial world. If the previous Director was lovely but not sales-oriented, and the new management company reckoned that the facility should be generating much better returns than it was, that would explain these changes.

Nevertheless, it is simply untrue that the only way to make a profit is to be an a-hole - if you'll pardon the unprofessional expression! - and this smacks of short-term thinking. Not a good sign in itself, of course, especially not when you're talking about a business that is responsible for what you would like to be your mother's permanent, settled home.

Well, if money is all that talks to them, you are correct in spotting that the key lies in the enormous fees your mother is paying for her care. That represents an investment in certain quality standards, and what's more Assisted Living is a competitive market.

The thing to do is to note down specific examples of shortfalls and deteriorations that you have observed, and request an explanation from the company of how they are going to remedy this situation. Don't make it a threat, but you can bring to their attention the simple fact that if they don't return to the former standards you and your mother came to expect you will be looking elsewhere. Perhaps starting with wherever the former Director and her loyal staff have got to..?
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That seems to be the new business standard everywhere. New managers coming in want people that are loyal to them or that they worked with in other places or that may be cheaper than the previous management hired. Old employees are seen as being loyal to former management and not always trusted to "get with the new program". You can check out other facilities, but unless it's a privately owned business or religious non-profit, it's an unfortunate truth in corporate America.
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I agree. Keep notes on everything. Also, you might ask for copies of your Mom's charts every few days saying that you just want to understand her medication and treatment needs. Most NHs have to comply with State standards and laws and if we don't watch them and report, who will? Always be nice about it because they are caring for your Mom and you don't want them taking it out on her, but keep that saying in mind, "If you see something, say something" as we have too many bad facilities around as it is. And start looking now for a new place if possible. Just in case. Good luck
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