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Yes, they have access to food and shelter but I just learned from experience of looking out for an elderly person that she was being given medicine but the staff was not making sure she was taking it. I was not only concerned for her safety but the rest of the residents in the facility as they could have easily gotten the medicine. She wanted me to look for something in her night stand and I found several tablets of her medicine there. I let the staff know and they were unaware that this was occurring. I also let the ombudsman know and the corporate office know. I am so glad that I was able to keep my mom at home.

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Sadly, no one is completely safe anywhere these days.
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Momsablessing, this is why we visit and monitor our loved ones in any facility. We speak with the staff and doctor(s) who tend to them and keep up-to-date on what kind of meds they’re taking, including side effects of the good  and bad kind. As an example, if my husband doesn’t take his diuretic, his ankles swell and his urine output drops dramatically.

We are caregivers even when our loved ones don’t live with us. We still have to be vigilant and aware of what’s going on.
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Well said, GardenArtist, freqflyer and Ahmijoy. No vulnerable is completely safe, either in a home or in a care facility, so we investigate facilities before we entrust them with a loved one, and then, whether in a facility or a sibling's home, we frequently visit, monitor and assist until the end. Momsablessing, all we can do is our best, nothing is perfect.  Thanks for the word of caution.
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Momsablessing, there are outstanding Assisting Living facilities and others at the bottom of the scale.

When it comes to meds, it is not unusual for an elder to pretend to take a pill, then hide the pills elsewhere. Or for an elder to drop a pill if he/she has a few in their hand to take at once. One time I found some pills that had fallen between the cushions on the sofa, and some under Dad's recliner. So we really can't blame the Medtechs, as what else could they do. The same could happen at home.
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I agree, the medtechs need to stand there and watch the person take their medication.
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Just a clarification, and certainly not a criticism of interpretation.... I was thinking that every time I leave my house I'm vulnerable. Sometimes I'm tailgated even before I get off my street, then on the freeway ramp, or wherever I go.

If it's not someone in a hurry to get somewhere, it's someone who doesn't use turn signals, doesn't obey stop signs or someone speeding.

And that's not even addressing distracted drivers.


Sometimes when I get home I think, "well, I've survived another venture out into the mass chaos of SE Michigan freeway and streets.:

And then there are the unstable people who commit mass murders. Sometimes I feel I'd be better off living in a remote area with bears and wildlife than with milliions of people.

Actually, I think my father was probably safer rehab than I am on the streets.
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Momsablessing if you notice many NH/AL have a high turnover rate
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Just to let you know, I am not a relative or POA of any kind to this person. So, I have no say I anything that is done. She has an estranged adopted daughter and wants no contact made and 2 cousins and she doesn't want them involved. It took me a couple of yrs just to find out who cousins are and I contacted one of them but was told that she didn't want them to visit so they backed off. DSS elderly protective service checked twice on her but closed her case.
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