Who do I talk to regarding aide to patient ratio in memory care unit?

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anonymous838683 Asked December 2019

Who do I talk to regarding aide to patient ratio in memory care unit?

My father is in a memory care unit. He was on a floor with 1 aide for 20 patients. My father was pretty much left on his own. He is to the point he needs a wheelchair. I was told he would have to be eventually put in unit where there was 1 aide per 10 patients because he would need more care. Now my father has been moved and left to sit. The past 2 weeks there has been at times only 1 aide per 20 needy patients. The aides don’t show up. One day he was left in his wheelchair for 5 1/2 hours in the dining room. Another night he was left for 3:5 hours in the dining room. He is 94 years old and recently had double pneumonia and is very weak. He has a recliner in his bedroom. Sometimes he’s put in the recliner and not checked on for hours because of lack of aides. He wears depends and I think it’s pretty bad that his slacks eventually have to be changed during the day because his depends are wet and leak onto his slacks.

I have brought some issues to the director of the building and the head of nursing but things don’t change. They are the ones who told me to have my dad moved to the other part of the building. I am basically ignored about any issues and have been told that I have high expectations. No- I just want my dad taken care of properly.

I don’t know who I can talk with to rectify matters. Unfortunately In this area as one memory care manager who had been brought in from another city to “fix” a facility told me there are no good memory care centers in the area.

Has anyone else gone thru this and somehow has gotten it rectified?

This whole experience breaks my heart. It’s bad enough to deal with the dementia.........

Alzheimer's & Dementia Care Plan Care Team Memory Care

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score 0 · Answer 1

There are in some states state codes that a facility has to follow. Search on line and find out the ratio required. If the ratio is off you can report the facility. Unfortunately it seems that some stated do not have regulations
If you have documentation or if there have been accidents due to under staffing that can be reported as well.
Each state has an Ombudsman that you can report/file complaints with.

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In the OPs state, Florida, the mimikin staffibg requirment is 1 full time staff member to 20 patients.....https://aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/pdf/110441/15alcom-FL.pdf

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score 3 · Answer 2

Take pictures and/or video of your dad and the conditions in which you find him. We live in a selfie culture and family members have every right to take pictures of themselves with their loved ones.

Take a trusted friend with you to visit your dad and help you document his living conditions. You must remain poker faced because, if they discover that you're filming their care, they will try to stop you.

Only document you with your father; do not take pictures of anyone else. You can take pictures of him in his room, and of the outside of the building from the road. Be cautious.

This will not be easy but you must stay strong for your father's sake. Once you have a few visits worth of documentation, go in person to your Congressman's office and to your local paper, and notify the ombudsman.

I don't know exactly what I would do with the "evidence" but I would raise holy hell. I would even consider hiring an attorney. I'm sure others will weigh in and help you formulate a plan. This is so sad and I understand your righteous anger.

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Thank you for understanding my dilemma. I appreciate your advice.

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score 2 · Answer 3

I would ask the Ombudsman who this should be reported to.

I would also contact the local area on aging and report to them and ask who to report to. Ask them to be sure and report this as well.

This is totally unacceptable, 1 to 20 ratio is not realistic in the least. Memory care is because they need more help, I would probably look at moving him and moving him to a nursing home.

This just makes me so angry that people can treat other humans like this.

Helpful Answer (2)

It makes me angry too! I just want dignity and respect not only for my father but other residents as well.

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score 2 · Answer 4

This is heartbreaking. These things do happen but it is not acceptable. You do NOT have hi expectations. The reason for them suggesting moving where he would get more care was most likely $. It’s sad but true. I e seen it first hand. Currently, I take care of someone at home and her sister is in a facility due to dementia. The monthly bill has been questioned and meeting with facility , large amount of money taken off, no questions ask. Daily I think of the individuals that don’t have a voice. There has to be something done about these facilities. This is the patients last stop here on earth, and they deserve so much more than they are given. Contact a local TV station and ask for help. Nobody wants bad PR. Contact BBB. Report issues to AMA and any other organization you can think of.

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score 0 · Answer 5

Have you spoken with the manager of the Unit? The Facility?
If there is no satisfaction this gets reported to the state and would start with an ombudsman first.

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I have spoken to director of the facility as well as head of nursing. They turn a dead ear. I texted both of them at 8:30 a.m yesterday and 36 hours no reply from either one.

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