Is it legal for nursing homes/rehab to withhold mail days (sometimes up to a week) after it's been delivered? The place I am in is a long term care facility that consistently delays in giving residents their mail/packages. Many times the mail sits on a cart in employees offices "until they have time" to deliver it to residents. I've complained about this multiple times but it always come back that they are understaffed and only a few people are allowed to do mail. As far as I'm concerned with holding mail is a federal matter. Am in the right to be upset? Does anyone know if what they are doing could be considered illegal. I feel if the employees designated to deliver mail are unable to do so it should then go to someone who can. Thoughts??? PS This is not a new issue but has been a problem since I got here a couple of years ago.
You are right to be upset. Call the ombudsman that monitors this facility and it's residents. They are with the Area Agency on Aging.
It makes sense that the mail must be handled by people who are accountable, trustworthy and competent; it makes sense that they don't want a free-for-all and the resulting mess when items go missing; but it makes NO sense that they haven't got together a reliable routine for a very easily-defined, predictable daily(ish) task.
I think the OP is absolutely in the right to be upset and should feel free to bite someone (metaphorically, of course). This is bullswotsit.
JPH, is there a residents' association or similar consultative group? You want a list of the authorised individuals, you want a weekly timetable, and you want one person per day given ownership of this particular task. You're more likely to get those if you lean en masse on the managers.
I am surprised they do not have "mail boxes" for residents.
I would complain to the Social Worker and I would also make a complaint to the State (they inspect facilities) and one final complaint..the Post Office.