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Nursing home Abuse and Neglect

Posted , 5 users are following.

frieda_88786
frieda_88786

My father is currently in a Nursing facility in Texas. I reported several times to the Director of Nursing as well as the Administrator that my dad has not been getting some of his medications as well as he has Diabetes and a list of other health problems. When I see a problem with my father I always take report it to the facility right away. When I started to notice that the Administrator never got back to me after saying he'd investigate it or when he did get back to me, I started taking pictures and texting them to the Nursing Director and the Administrator. He asked me not to text him anymore concerning dad because of Hackers and to call or come by his office. I continued to take pictures and emailed them to him because I felt I needed some documentation. After a couple of pictures and emails, my emails were coming back undeliverable from the Administrator and the Nursing Director. I started calling the State. An Investigator from the State went out and did find the allegations were true, they were not giving my father is eyedrops for Glaucoma so they were cited. After that, the real problems began. My sister has an MPOA but lives in a different city. I'm in the same city as my dad and can get to the Nursing home faster if needed, and I visit dad every day, go to all of his doctor appointments. I recently obtained an MPOA since I am the only sibling here where my father is, but after I requested dad's medical records they started giving me problems, saying a doctor diagnosed dad with Vascular dementia and said dad was unable to make decisions in his own therefore my MPOA was not good. My sister came and brought a copy of her MPOA and requested dad's medical records and now is getting the runaround, her emails come back undeliverable it's been over a week since she requested dad's medical records. The Administrator sent me an email saying they would no longer give me any information or call me about anything having to do with my dad.

This is awful, I feel like he is bullying me and has cut me off from saying anything about my fathers well being or knowing anything. It is making me sick, I go home every night with a headache and a stomach ache. Not sure what to do now. The State just kind of lets the Nursing homes get away with things and they know it. This is the 3rd one he's been in and I don't want to keep moving him.  

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Dialysis57
    Dialysis57 frieda_88786

    Posted

    Install a hidden camera in his room, so you can record proof of mistreatment. I'm being very basic, but I've managed a 126 bed aged care facility, and a good indication of abuse is any of the following:

    - A lot of bruising! Especially around wrists and ankles

    - Any bed sores or wounds, as they should be getting second hourly pressure area care, and this involves walking (if ambulant) , to the toilet, toileting him, or applying a fresh incontinence aid, massaging skin barrier creams to buttocks, hips, elbows, and all other bony prominences. 

    - Ensure staff are not manual handling your loved one. Make sure they use slide sheets, that turn a patient from one side to the other, with no friction and they do not cause any skin tears or wounds.

    i hope this helps. But if you have camera proof, it will help you seek justice. In the meantime, I'd be speaking to the manager and looking to transfer him to another facility.

    Then complain to your local members of parliament, show the manager the film footage etc. complain and show them the evidence of abuse and neglect. And go to the police and report any assaults or rough and unnecessary rough treatment. Go to the paper, to  etc, as you'll get the message out, and there may be other families suspecting the same but too frightened to speak up. Once you go to your news station, and it's aired on TV, OTHERS WILL COME FORWARD.

    I hope this helps!

  • Dialysis57
    Dialysis57 frieda_88786

    Posted

    FRIEDA, DONT GIVE UP!!!!! If I had the time, as being a manager of a 126 Aged care facility catering for indecent to dementia specific to high risk and bed bound patients. So feel free to message me later, and I'll tell you exactly what to do. But today? Take your pictures, the letter from the investigator acknowledging the suspected abuse, and [u]TAKE YOUR STORY TO THE MEDIA AND IN THE MEANTIME, PLANT A CAMERA DEVICE, MOTION DETECTED CAMERA IN HIS ROOM.

    BUT DEFINITELY GO TO THE MEDIA- THEY LOVE THIS SORT OF THING, AND I GUARANTEE YOU, OTHERS WILL PROBABLY COME FORWARD TOO. BUT HAVING A NEWS CREW, YOURSELF, YOUR SISTER AND YOUR DAD OUT THE FRONT OF THE FACILITIES WITH A CAMERA CREW WILL CERTAINLY GET SOME ATTENTION AND EVEN GO VIRAL, SEND IT TO AS MANY STATIONS, MORNING SHOWS, NIGHTLY NEWS ETC AS YOU HAVE TO, BUT DONT GIVE UP. HE CANNOT FIGHT, SO ITS UP TO YOU TWO SISTERS TO FIGHT FOR HIM. BUT I WOULD DEFINITELY GET HIM RELOCATED. KEEP A DETAILED DIARY, AND MIX UP THE TIMES YOU ARRIVE. IF THEY KNOW YOU ARRIVE EVERY DAY AT 5pm, THEY WILL HAVE HIM SPARKLING FOR YOU, SO DONT BE SO PREDICTABLE! CHANGE THE TIMES AROUND! I FROM AUSTRALIA, AND I KNOW HERE, THAT FAMILIES CAN SIGN OUT A RESIDENT FOR A WEEKEND AND RETURN THEM ON THE MONDAY, SO IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN MANAGE HIM, TAKE HIM HOME, BUT CHECK THEIR POLICIES ON THIS. 

    Please s please inbox me, so I can find you, and tell you exactly what to ask for, documentation wise etc, which will also empower you. Only a gerontologist can diagnose dementia, not a local GO. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON ANY CHANGES IN HIS CARE, HEALTH AND/OR DETERIORIATION. DEMAND TO SEE THE SPECIALISTS REPORT AND YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND INVITED TO SIT IN ON THAT APPOINTMENT AND VOICE ANY CONCERNS.

    I HAVE TO GO, BUT PLEASE INBOX ME, AND I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH MORE INFORMATION 

    CHEERS, SONYA[/u]

    • jakejhonson44
      jakejhonson44 Dialysis57

      Posted

      Wow! You're such a thoughtful person for helping someone in need. God bless you!

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