Yes, they have access to food and shelter but I just learned from experience of looking out for an elderly person that she was being given medicine but the staff was not making sure she was taking it. I was not only concerned for her safety but the rest of the residents in the facility as they could have easily gotten the medicine. She wanted me to look for something in her night stand and I found several tablets of her medicine there. I let the staff know and they were unaware that this was occurring. I also let the ombudsman know and the corporate office know. I am so glad that I was able to keep my mom at home.
When it comes to meds, it is not unusual for an elder to pretend to take a pill, then hide the pills elsewhere. Or for an elder to drop a pill if he/she has a few in their hand to take at once. One time I found some pills that had fallen between the cushions on the sofa, and some under Dad's recliner. So we really can't blame the Medtechs, as what else could they do. The same could happen at home.
We are caregivers even when our loved ones don’t live with us. We still have to be vigilant and aware of what’s going on.
If it's not someone in a hurry to get somewhere, it's someone who doesn't use turn signals, doesn't obey stop signs or someone speeding.
And that's not even addressing distracted drivers.
Sometimes when I get home I think, "well, I've survived another venture out into the mass chaos of SE Michigan freeway and streets.:
And then there are the unstable people who commit mass murders. Sometimes I feel I'd be better off living in a remote area with bears and wildlife than with milliions of people.
Actually, I think my father was probably safer rehab than I am on the streets.