How do I find a patient's rights advocate for an person with dementia in a residential care home?
My aunt is a dementia patient in her 70's.She was placed in a residential care home by her daughter in January 2012 and is not allowed visitation or phone calls by any other family members since then. The daughter communicates her mother's condition to one aunt but will not give the phone number, address or name of the facility to this aunt. Prior to being place at this facility,my aunt was living at her own home and would call her three sisters daily without assistance. Two months ago, while at the facility, the she fell and broke several ribs and developed a large blood clot on her leg. At that time she was placed on Hospice care. The aunt who communicates with the daughter has just been told that her sister will not speak to anyone anymore and is now refusing to eat. This scenario is very much like living in a prison. No, actually even prisoners are allowed visitors. What can my aunt's sisters do to gain access to her for a quick visit or phone call. I fear time is running out and I have run out of ideas. Thank you
11 Answers
Popular Questions
Related Questions
- I live in an apt. in NYC. There is an 88-year-old woman that lives on my floor. She washes herself with her own urine and relieves herself. Is this elder abuse?
- How do I deal with the spouse of someone who has Alzheimer's and does not take the AZ person out of the house with exception of the back porch?
- Has anyone who is employed by the client (patient) and/or family been falsely accused to APS?
- What can I do when a nursing home has misplaced or stolen all my mothers clothing?
This does not sound good at all especially the fall and being put on Hospice after such a short period after admission.
Call any nursing home and they will supply you with some contact numbers.It is the law.
I would not wait long because bad things happen rapidly in situations like this.
They may not entitle you to visitation but at least someone will look into your aunt's wellbeing and put your mind at rest.
While you are getting the info, you and your Aunt's three sisters should also contact your cousin and advise her you are planning to take action unless the rest of the family is immediately provided with the Nursing Home information and visitation arranged ASAP to meet with and access the condition your Aunt is in, and to get answers from the nursing facility director about her fall, care, etc.
You may be end up being able to resolve within the family.
If not, and this seems to be an urgent situation, I would advise that you call your local Department of Aging, and their representatives can investigate immediately for abuse - they will meet with your cousin, Nursing facility, and interview your Aunt to access situation, then make sure steps are taken to resolve, or will remove her from the facility if an issue there of her safety and care.
If there are no remedies in those directions, you need to get social services to help in placing her in a facility that will take Medicare or Medicaid pay for her care and housing if you cannot be paid for her care.
As hard as it may seem for a while if you have to take on this transition, it may be something you have to consider, and she will adjust over time.
All the best!
As for the patient falling and hospice being brought in, that is not an unusual scenario. Old people fall and the result can be devastating enough to need hospice.
I've been sole caretaker for years with no help from anyone. When they all started
sniping me when I put mom in the nursing home, I told them all to mind their own business. I kept her out far past when I should have and I paid for it emotionally and physically and economically. I could not work while playing caretaker and she refused to pay me.
Outsiders, even when family can cause far more grief than necessary.
I'd tell you all to buzz off too.
You have to be proactive. Otherwise you will end up screwed.
See All Answers