Tandemfun4us posted on another thread about how they did a search and what they looked into when touring assisted livings/ MCs, with some good tips.
I noted that Tandemfun4us mentioned asking about what things might get an elderly resident kicked out.
ANyone have insight into the odds of this? I'm sure there is variability from AL to AL as far as their behavioral policy, and how strictly they stick to it. Also , I'm sure there is state by state variation and state guidelines, ability to contact Ombudsmen and appeals and so forth.
The reason I ask - my dad is not nice in his current AL and rude to the staff, but it has been ok, the current place administration has not complained or mentioned anything which is good. This place is not the greatest AL around, and they tend to have vacancy, so I assume this may make them reluctant to kick anyone out and they may put up with more? I've been debating moving my dad to a different place which is much nicer, seems to allow a better level of care, especially if/when people get to MC level. However, being a popular and nice place, it is almost always full. Hence we are on waiting list. However, I fear that a fancier more popular place that is in high demand may have a lower threshold for tolerating "bad behavior"? Anyone with insight?
If the resident is abusive to staff or other residents they can be asked to leave.
Violating ANY of the restrictions, guidelines, rules outlined in the AL contract would be cause for asking the resident to leave.
Non payment.
these would be just a few I am sure that there are more.
like drug use, weapons, illegal activity but these are probably spelled out in the contract.
And in that packet is a list of what behaviors will cause them to ask you to leave.
They are spelled right out.
And how many warnings and how addressed.
So it will be clear. And you will be informed. And you may be shown the exit quickly enough if you will not/cannot adjust. That is right, and it is for the safety and well being of all residents involved.
My father was asked to leave AL when his brain tumor grew and caused him mobility issues where he became a 2 person assist. Per the AL regulations which were pointed out to me in his contract, a 2 person assist could not be accommodated in this AL. Unless the resident was on hospice. So off to the ER we went. Hospice was recommended by the doctor there, we signed dad up, and he got to stay in the AL until death (with mom) until he passed.
Other reasons for eviction at this AL was if bowel incontinence caused the resident to create big messes everywhere constantly....I remember that in particular. While they weren't keen on getting rid of anyone, they would do so if the resident became more trouble than they could handle. Mom was displaying some pretty ugly behavior on occasion but they're used to that.
Another time she intentionally dropped a punch of plates on the floor.
Most of her events happened in the dining room,, not sure why.
Then a man opened her room door and she kicked him in the you know where. He was confused not trying to do anything to her, his room was next door to hers.
Well, we were put on notice, we tt her doctor and we redid her meds...all has been fine...for now.
She is in a fancy place, self pay, MC, they are very tolerant.
In general well trained staff can sometimes divert things that might cause a problem. But if the resident becomes violent then that is a different story, you want to prevent outbursts before they happen.
Think about the move to a ‘better’ facility AFTER his behavior has improved.
it seems to me the better facilities are better equipped to handle agitation so often it does not progress to the point of needing out placement.
Just because a place looks nicer and has more bells and whistles does not mean he will get better care there. I think dad could live in a nursing home that looked like Buckingham Palace and still be miserable. It's just who he is. Stop trying to make dad happy and accept that no matter what you do he will never be happy. He's just a jerk.
Here's the dirty secret about assisted living and nursing home facilities - many times the way they get problem residents out of their facility is by waiting on a medical event to happen that requires a trip to the hospital. Once the resident is in the hospital they simply state that the residents bed is no longer available or what have you... sure it's not kosher but it's done all the time.
MC is for people who had such severe disinhibition that medicating is required, people who are not able to put controls on their own behavior.
Discuss this with facility and ask for the guidelines. And know that every ALF is an individual operation with its own rules and regs.
All of this said, most facilities understand that people living in close quarters to one another may get into a bicker or disagreement and my brother used to joke it was like being in a 60s commune where everyone disagreed and you had to have community meetings every so many weeks moderated by one of the staff. Let everyone get things out into the open.