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Mom is in Assisted Living. I live in Michigan and with our state's current COVID rules, they are now saying that all visits have to be monitored by a staff member. As POA can I insist on meeting privately? I don't feel like discussing her health or financial affairs in front of a staff member to be appropriate? What are my and mom's rights in this case?

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I think "monitored" means making sure that masks are worn and that the visitor in 6 feet away.

Talk to the administrator about the level of privacy you need for this conversation.

It seems to me that the staff member could be on the other side of a windowed door.
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I don't understand monitored visits at all. Is this for your Mother or for all patients here? If there is financial information to discuss there is no reason you cannot move out of sound with your papers and your Mom's papers; tell the monitor that you need space to discuss personal and private information.
Again, I have never heard of a facility that monitors all visits with all visitors? Can you tell us more about the facilities rules?
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We had this early in the pandemic, even though everybody was vigorously screened and masked no visits were allowed in the rooms and somebody was supposed to keep an eye on on them lest they get too close or (god forbid) actually touch. People were actually banned for not following the rules. Thankfully we've come a long way since those days.
I think you need to carefully check the wording of your State's most recent guidance to NH staff so you know what it actually says, some of this is mandated and has to be followed but some could be open to interpretation.
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My mother's place is monitoring the outdoor visits in order to make sure the masks stay on and there is no touching. The visits take place in the courtyard there, and the monitor is sitting at least 40 feet away and wouldn't be hearing anything in most people's conversations.

I'm sure the monitor at your mom's place would be doing a similar thing. They care about keeping the distance and the masks on, not overhearing conversations.
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AnnReid Mar 2021
Exactly.
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I would be upset as well. As CWillie suggested perhaps look over the guidelines to see if they have been updated.
Hopefully this will be changed soon as more vaccines are given and the virus is better managed.

When more personal information needs to be discussed perhaps it should be shared over the phone when your mother is alone.
If there is something she needs to sign, discuss it on the phone first and then mark it for her where she needs to sign. You could also write her a note to read and hand back to you. Also a bother but perhaps necessary.

This reminded me of visiting a family member in a mental hospital. The patient had to be visited in a common area so that the visit could be monitored.
It was uncomfortable but those were the rules.

I am glad you are able to visit her.
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Goodness gracious we are still treating people like prisoners. You do not need to explain yourself for wanting to meet privately. It is nobody's business what you discuss with your mother. Once inside, simply say "We need some privacy please" and go about your business. Your mother has a right to privacy. We are going through something similar where my husband is POA for his dad and they won't let him inside to meet with his dad. My FIL has to mail important documents to my husband. It's outrageous.
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Now I scanned this quickly (I wish they would write these things in plain English) because I hate reading these things.

You need to scroll down to "3. Visitation". I see nothing saying that a Staff member has to be present during visitations. It just says that masks and social distancing need to maintained and that the facility needs to explain this to those entering the facility. If visitors don't comply, they can be asked to leave.

So, from what I "scanned" a staff member will not be sitting there listening to all you say. I doubt if an AL has enough staff to sit with every resident and visitor. They have jobs to do. But they may be given the responsibility to tell those not complying that they need to

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-553388--,00.html
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Big Gretch lifted those rules, it must be a facility rule. If you meet with your mom, they can test you, enforce the mask mandate and enforce social distancing requirements. So, yes, they can check in a room to make sure your wearing a mask and 6 ft apart.

If you feel like your rights are violated, you can call the omsbudsman and they can work on your behalf to get privacy.

I would do it quick though. Since ppl and businesses at least in my area are not following rules and the overcapacity and her 3 "metrics" are going in the wrong direction in addition to the potential criminal charges against her, I am betting she shuts thing down right after spring break. I haven't been wrong yet, she is predictable.
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Why do visits have to be monitored??? To keep you from hugging or what? I would ask how they monitor. Covid has nothing to do with listening to private conversations.
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Double check with the facility about their visitation rules. Explain your concerns and that you need privacy to discuss some matters with your mother. If they have problems, tell them you will get a COVID test prior to the visit, and if need be, they can quarantine her afterwards.
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