Hi. I have a resident I care for in a facility who I believe is being neglected by family and possibly being financially abused. I have no proof of the second but the first I believe I have grounds for. She has end stage CHF and because of it increasing anxiety, more incontinence, more depression, and greater fall risk. Also her memory is deteriorating. She believes it's the 1970's. Family never visits. They drop off what she needs and leaves, which wouldn't bother me so much if the POA, the same family member, would answer her phone during emergencies. The care director is pushing to have her moved to memory care wing because of all the issues she's been having, but family won't answer phone calls to sign the paperwork. She hasn't seen a doctor in over 3 months, and has no more than 10 dollars on her at any given time (usually less), so she cannot go get her own things when she's running low or out. She had an emergency and family wouldn't answer their phones then either. Family only lives 15 minutes away. She's not getting any mail, and her meds are dropped off sometimes weeks late by family. Who should I call? Any advice? Any experience? I work for the facility and everyone just kind of thinks I'm crazy to want to have someone investigate and get her the care she needs. Thank you all! (I tried to keep details at a minimum but there's more that makes me suspicious)
In my experience Assisted Living directors hunt family down when fees are due or care levels need to be increased.
So for you to get involved is not appropriate until you have discussed your concerns with management.
AL’s have attorneys in place and will take action if they feel the client needs more care and the family can’t be reached after a reasonable amount of time. They will apply for guardianship legally if need be. AL are not going to place themselves in a vulnerable position or one that may cause them costly liability.
If your supervisors don’t give you a reasonable response and the care of that senior is compromised then it’s your duty to call APS.
I’m not sure why you think you would be privy to everyone’s family information. I also feel you shouldn’t judge anyone (the daughter for just dropping off stuff & leaving). Family dynamics are complicated.
Report it it to your supervisors first& document everything in a notebook so you can easily refer to specific dates and examples.
Thank you for caring & the job you do.
I agree, the Adminstrator should be calling APS. He should be able to contact the POA. Usually that person handles the financial and medical. He can call APS and tell them there is a vulnerable resident. That family has seemed to just dropped her off. That ur facility does not deal with pharmacies so meds are not given in a timely manner. That in an emergency family members cannot be contacted. The best thing that could happen is the State gets guardianship. They will take over her finances. Maybe ask for an accting from the POA. If found she has been stolen from, the State can bring charges.
This is a problem because they are not providing her medication in a timely manner, some medications are dangerous to miss doses. That they are not responding to emergency calls is another problem. I know from personal experience that my dad might not receive proper care if I didn't authorize him being sent to the hospital, it was part of the contract.
I believe that you are responsible to say something if you see something. Getting the authorities involved to get this woman the care she needs may be the only way to get her family to respond. If they don't fulfill their POA fudiciary responsibilities it may be time for the state to step in.
Good for you that you care enough to do something to help this woman that has been abandoned by her family.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being more than a paid aide. Hugs!
To those saying it's the 'facility's' fault, what fault is it, exactly? What's being neglected? She's being cared for, it sounds like, to the best of the ALs ability, w/o any help from the family. So I don't know that there's more they CAN do. Mail should be sent directly to the resident at the AL facility, that is the norm.
It seems to me that you should follow the direction of your supervisor; if she feels APS should be called, then that's what should be done. Is it up to YOU to do that? You'd have to ask your supervisor about that directly. What does policy dictate in such a situation?
In this line of work, your heartstrings are going to be continually tugged at. While it's great to care and to feel compassion for your residents, it's never a good idea to internalize TOO much of their life's misery. Leave the job at the job when you clock out so you can refresh yourself and come back to do a wonderful job for the residents again tomorrow.
Bravo to you for caring, my friend. You rock!
Being POA is a fudiciary responsibility and it does have legal consequences when they are just ignored. It is not just about sending the rent check. I recommend that everyone should visit their attorney generals website and read what exactly the responsibilities are when accepting a designation as POA.
You are accepting that you will always act in the best interests of the person, this family is obviously failing in that.
What does your supervisor say?
You are not privy to discussions that director of others have had with the family. Having a very small amount of cash is not unusual as elderly often tend to give it away.
But if there is a wide spread problem with the facility then start by calling the licensing agency. Have your ducks in a row, document, document, document. Is this a whistle blowing situation?
Your role is to keep documenting and reporting day to day problems such as medications running out, personal items she needs and can't buy for herself, and difficulties contacting the family in emergencies. It can get frustrating, but just make sure it gets done so that this lady's records are accurate and complete; and then if there is any future dispute about responsibility the facts will be down in black and white.
I'm just glad that this lady is in the hands of caregivers who actually do care about her. What you're doing for her is important, so don't get downcast because you can't solve everything else for her.
Ive been blessed with a great care team. We all care so much, even about the residents who have kicked us or called us names. We don't get into this work for the money or glory, I'll tell you what. It's for the residents.