The Old Folks Home

[drumstick diva]

In our district, several years ago, they decided there would be a baby boom and they needed to build more schools. Yep the boom never came

 

[getaclue]

Several years ago, the editor of Consumer Reports had to find a facility for a family member (either mom, or grandma), and used their editorial page to discuss the journey of finding a good facility. One of the things she discovered was the agency overseeing long term care facilities, was the Ombudsman's office. Sort of like the Health Department overseeing restaurants, handling the inspections, grades, violations, etc. While the Health Dept. can't tell you where to eat, they can tell you the information on your favorite restaurant, including violations, and that's the agency you contact if there are health code violations at a restaurant. In similar manner, the Ombudsman's office is who handles inspections, violations, and complaints in regards to long term care facilities.

A few things the editor mentioned was conducting your own inspection. Not just the lobby, office, day room, and dining facility, but walking a couple halls where the rooms are. What do you see, and smell. Ask about their policies on using restraints. Ask about their policies on sedation. Do you see too many in the day room that look like they're zonked out? Red flag. Does the smell of urine waft out from any of the rooms? Red flag (biggest complaint too). Does everyone look clean like they've been bathed regularly? Is their hair brushed, and kempt, or is it oily, or doesn't look like it's been brushed recently? Red flag. Do the clothes look, and smell washed, and appropriate for the weather? Are there too many in wheelchairs that don't have lap blankets to help keep them warm? Red flag. Check the food offered. Is it mostly cereals for breakfast, soup for lunch, the bare minimum with no variety or appeal? Are there fresh fruits available? What's the situation if they get thirsty, or want a snack other than normal scheduled times? Can you come check on your loved one at any time, or are they strict about visiting hours?

While she inspected a couple facilities that the outward appearances were good, but as she walked around, several of the patients smelled like urine, and were complaining they were wet, and cold. Quite a few of the rooms smelled strongly enough with the urine smell, that it wafted out into the halls.

At another facility, the odor was fine, but the majority of the residents seemed highly sedated, and when inspecting the rooms, she noted that at that same facility, far too many patients were restrained, as compared to other facilities.

The place she finally entrusted with the care of her mother, did not have as fancy a waiting room, and offices. The lap blankets for those sitting in the day room, or in wheelchairs were not new of fancy, but were clean, and there were plenty. Plenty of their patients were functioning, not highly sedated. There were few patients being restrained. The rooms, while not as fancy as at least 2 of the other facilities, they were cleaned regularly, and no urine smell. Any incidences of incontinence were handled in short order. For the most part, everyone looked clean, and kempt. Visitors could come anytime from 7:30 am - 7:30 pm. You could eat in the dining room with your loved one, for the cost of the meal. AND they had a great long term track record according to the Ombudsman's office.

 

[perchie.girl]

Ouch. That must really hurt.

As the boomers age and increasingly need help, we are going to have a caregiver crisis. It's already here, really. Not enough people to hire (at pitiful wages) who are good at the job. And those pitiful pages end up costing the family (or Medicaid) an awful lot. Remember when we were young and we had all those new schools to attend, because there were nowhere near enough for all the kids of the boom? Now the retirement homes/assisted living places are popping up everywhere.

Yep yep... Grandma is a pre boomer though so Is mom.... But grandma was a second mom to my son growing up... so this is particularly hard on him... but he is so relieved i am considering moving her to a care facility.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

deb, https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/programs/ais/ombudsman_long_term_care/index.html

The ombudsman's office is the branch that deals with long term care facilities.

the website started out very interesting.... I will paruse it better. later
But it seems to deal with nursing care.... She doesnt need nursing care... The only meds she takes is for blood pressure and colesterol.

deb

 

[ronott1]

Evap, ... So many lines and hoses and canisters .. So hard for anyone backyard mechanic or real one. I bet you in Cali deal with the same BS that we do in NY, engine light on, no inspection. We deal with a lot of salt and rust so it all goes bad. If you have a smell of gas but no leaks most likely one of the return lines or evap system lines broke somewhere. Run and drive fine but can't get inspection.

Luckily it passed smog so I have two years to figure it out!

The problem is likely where they tested the system during the smog test. I will figure it out

 

[ronott1]

Yep yep... Grandma is a pre boomer though so Is mom.... But grandma was a second mom to my son growing up... so this is particularly hard on him... but he is so relieved i am considering moving her to a care facility.

deb

Pre 1945 are either traditionalist or the silent generation

 

[perchie.girl]

Pre 1945 are either traditionalist or the silent generation

Grandma was 1916 mom was 1931 or 34 so Traditionalist and Silent.... I am the boomer born in 55.... Dean was born in 89 so hes a millennial

deb

 

[drumstick diva]

I was born in 1947, I believe "The nap generation."

 

[Peep_Show]

The surgery for excess skin should be covered. If you want to encourage weight loss, then the the skin surgery is very needed.

FYI: They are reluctant to do this surgery unless you've kept the weight off for 6 months.

 

[getaclue]

deb, It deals with "nursing homes" which is a catch all name. Assisted Living falls under the "nursing home" heading too.

As to nursing care, if she takes any prescribed medications, that has to be dispensed by someone qualified to do so, which falls under nursing care. Same thing at public schools. The students have to go to the school nurse to get any medications, even a Tylenol.