The popular misconception is that the only “problems” within aging services are related to nursing homes. This falsehood reminds me of the ancient royal concept of the “whipping boy.” I sometimes think that all of the sins and defects of the system are loaded onto nursing homes so that other parts of the system can be exonerated.
Here is a rare commercial television report on problems with quality in Assisted Living facilities.
Click Here (note there seems to be a mandatory 18 second commercial)
For my good friends in the Assisted Living community, who will no doubt be outraged at the findings revealed here, my point is that the dignity and well being of elders is always at risk at every level of the care system. For those who are committed to quality and dignity, I acknowledge your good care and honor it.
Let it also be said that there is no part of the system that is without fault.
candi patton says
July 19, 2010 at 10:04 amI am the Director of an Adult Day Program and the Assisted living. We all congregate in the same facility. It is such a nice combination. I have a lady that has rarely been seen without makeup. As of late her confusion has worsened and are trying to not have her move to another home. On Sat. the administrator did bingo for the NH. She showed up looking like an indian with face paintings. the Administrator left me a voice mail and was concerned about the ladies dignity as she had always worn her make up nicely every single day. I noticed her this morning, with really dark makeup all over everywhere. I had no idea how to approach her with what I was seeing. I have known her most of my life so I went out and sat down with her.Show her my affection and leaned over and said to her “I think your make up color may be a litte dark today” she said “well I am embarrassed” I told her not to be that as a friend I wanted her to know that before someone said something to her and I offered to go and get her some makeup that blends properly. She thanked me over and over. I told her I just hated for her to go to music and someone say something. We know they would. My staff could not believe I did that and she didn’t get mad. I hope that lesson they learned was first of all they have to know and believe you have their best interest at heart. That I wanted her dignity to stay in tack.She is extremely grateful.Sometimes we all need help hanging on the dignity we have. I saved by mine by saving hers.
Joe Angelelli says
February 26, 2010 at 5:28 pmThanks for sharing this. That news story focuses on the old personal care/board & care homes…I wonder how things are with purpose-built assisted living communities in that state? I’m thinking of Sheryl Zimmerman’s work in NC and elsewhere — the book she edited with Phil Sloane and Kevin Eckert (with a forward by Powell Lawton) laid it all out almost a decade ago.
Gary says
February 26, 2010 at 6:49 amIt is indeed the entire system. I work in assisted living. One of our residents recently move here from NC. He had complained of pain in his hips for years and the doctors told that he is old and old people should accept that they will have aches and pains. Well, we now know he had cancer and it metastasized to his pelvis. By the time his new doctor found out what was going on it was too late to do anything. He died yesterday. He was a great guy. It is too bad that he was too old to be taken seriously.