LTC Practices Endanger Residents

Truth be told, I've not been visiting Carol

like I did for many months. 

It brings back memories of when my mom 

was in the same facility. 

The lies. The half truths. 

Watching Carol die a little more each day 

not because she's that sick but because 

what is NOT being done for her  

taking her life an inch at a time.

Reported to DHSS about the overmedication 

of anti psychotics including possibility 

some meds caused Carol's hands 

first to tremor and then a couple of months ago 

to "freeze" into not clenched fists but "frozen".

In claw like shapes not able to use her hands.

Facility was given a "slap on the wrist". 

She can't feed herself.
She's "offered food" but often cannot talk.

The food is pureed -- looks like something 

that comes out of you instead of goes into you 

and imagine the taste is almost as bad.

Carol refuses the food. 

The LTC sees this as "the end".

It's been going on for a very long time.

The only thing that keeps her alive 

is the weight she had that will soon be gone.

She doesn't refuse what we bring to her. 

She's starving. 

They claim it's typica:l "Last Stages of Life". 

They don't take the time and they don't care. 

The Facility convinced her to go into Hospice 

If she doesn't want to go to the hospital. 

That was the only decision she could make.

Carol has no Advocate.

No family member.

.

She's lived in an LTC for many years.

Her "value" is decreasing.

She's had multiple medical incidents.

Department of Health & Senior Services?

Elder Abuse Hotline?

They say their hands are tied.

 

A Dr has prescribed the medications.

One Rep of the DHSS told me.

'"If a Dr prescribes medication--

it's because it's needed." is the Mantra.

Right! A Staff Doctor who increases 

their "payroll" based on "services rendered"

including simply reviewing a "stack of updates"

all designed to portray a caring environment.

OFTEN FAR FROM TRUE. 

Meds are used in LTC's to control and restrain.

Dr's are "hired" and "paid by" the LTC's.

Loved ones and others never really know what's given 

unless they have a POA for Medical Care.

Suggest that person look at the latest Stats 

for LTC's, Medical Professionals abuse of drugs 

both personally, professionally and through prescriptions.

From an AARP article: 

www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/

info-09-2011/doctors-overprescribing-

antidepressants-health-discovery.html

"Nearly four of every five prescriptions are written 

by primary care doctors and specialists 

untrained in psychiatry 

who are dispensing powerful drugs 

that may have either no impact or harmful effects."

How would you like to be "used" 

when you're no longer a profit center 

because you need more daily care for toileting etc.?

Remember how they convinced Carol? 

They knew she didn't want to go to the hospital.

It's challenging to find information online 

about this "practice" because older people 

are "expected" to die and so when they do -- 

well, that's just what happens. 

Is it? Or is it more profitable in the short term

for the increased costs, less care 

and then when the bed "vacates" 

another ability to fill it 

with someone who needs less care.

The following is from a publication of the 

California Advocates For Nursing Home Reform:

http://www.canhr.org/publications/newsletters/

NetNews/Feature_Article/NN_2014Q3.htm

"In my experience when a patient is certified 

for hospice, the hospice provider routinely orders 

rental of an expensive hospital bed and various 

expensive breathing apparatuses whether the patient 

needs it or not, and bills accordingly. 

"Once the patient’s hospice category is set, 

and the reimbursement set accordingly, 

of course profit goes up if that care 

can be provided by fewer personnel 

or in less time, just like in a nursing home 

and other businesses, and the least able 

and most vulnerable among us 

can be treated accordingly."

"A second important reason for long times 

on hospice for people who are not on 

the verge of dying is that they are 

very good business for hospice providers." 

See, e.g., “Medicare Rules Create 

a Booming Business in Hospice Care 

for People Who Aren’t Dying,”

Washington Post, Dec. 26, 2013.

You think the above are all "old" articles.

Think again. Reduction of support for Elders.

Taking away their remaining quality of life.

More prominent now than ever before.

Reduced financial support from the States.

Fewer Ombudsmen and more facilities.

Is this what you want for your loved ones?

Conditions some animals face and also do not deserve?