assistedlivingconcerns

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

Hi everyone. Another great day in our lives doing the best we can for others and ourselves. Too many of the residents in Assisted Living Facilities are without friends or family. While even those who are blessed with caring families and friends often find themselves without their company for long periods of time. The camaraderie of fellow residents is most important to all residents whether or not they have close family or friends. But, above all, the activities the facility provides is the essential ingredient to satisfy the loneliness and separation that all residents endure. The amount of games, musical events and intellectual opportunities offered are the key to moving the ambience of their day-to-day lives from oblivion to something meaningful. Family and friends have their own lives to attend to, often making it difficult for them to visit or even call. While the reality of the association between the relatives and the residents at Assisted Living Facilities must be acknowledged, activities have proved to be something vital to the lives of the residents, especially during their initial exposure to the new environment. Separation is a daunting factor for both parties. Here, where my wife and I reside, the facility offers a wide range of activities: outings, games, theater, movies, religious services, musical events, art classes, several levels of exercises, a book club, swimming, picnics, lectures, birthday parties, yoga and tai chi classes, photography and more. Also, the Resident’s Council is a significant activity giving the community the opportunity to vent their complaints or offer suggestions. The missing link, unfortunately, is a Family Support Group that could give support to the Resident’s Council. With the establishment of such a group, members could relate their concerns about the level or kind of care and services they would like their loved oness to receive. Some residents are too shy to complain or make suggestions, but would be willing to relate their concern to a relative or friend who, in turn, would relay the information to the Family Support Group for consideration. The group could hold meetings at the facility or on-line or through a medium of their choice. Certainly, they could use this web site (assisitedlivingconcerns. com) as a venue for communications. I would personally like to invite residents, family members, friends and supporters to such a forum. Let the establishment of a Family Support Group be the goal of this web site. Together, we can work together for the betterment of those in Assisted Living Facilities everywhere.

Hi everyone. Yesterday was a historic day in the history of the US Supreme Court with the confirmation of Judge sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice to serve on the highest court in the land. The hearings held by congress clearly showed that as a nation we continue to regard people according to their race, heritage as well as age. The judge’s opponents charged that she was biased in favor of her heritage, apparently rendering her unfit for office. When Reagan ran for office, they said he was too old (70). When obama announced his candidacy for president, the whites worried that he would favor blacks and discriminate against whites. Imagine an America that judged the qualifications of people according to their intellect and experience, instead of their heritage. Imagine living in a color-blind society free of religious prejudice. A nation committed to education and justice. As a senior, I am puzzled by the fact that seniors get special health benefits, which I enjoy, but why only seniors? Why not all Americans? The answer is obvious, seniors vote and kids can’t. Let’s hope that the proposed universal health care plan being considered by our elected officials will reflect that we all need care and services, not just particular groups categorized by age, heritage or citizenship. Let’s work to even the playing field.

When the gushy, super helpful salesperson is telling you how wonderful the facility is and explains the company rules about various activities, you will be assured that the restaurant has an “open seating” policy that enables residents to sit wherever they please. Give that assurance a big “uh huh.” Remember, you’re the new kid on the block, so be prepared for some adjustments while you try to fit in at the facility. When you first saunter into the restaurant looking gingerly for a seat, don’t expect anyone to say, “Welcome, please sit here.” Rather, you will be alerted to the fact that that seat you had your eye on has been the “private property” of a resident for some time and your having the gall to take possession of it will cause a bundle of hard feelings. And if you’re a couple, the task of finding an unwanted seat will be even harder. Being made aware of the built-in aura of hostility new residents will endure at the dining hall from the old-timers, will make your acceptance a lot easier. Your best bet is to ask some member of the waitstaff to help you find a table where you will find a more harmonious acceptance. Perhaps the experience is akin to moving into a new neighborhood where you hope to find a friendly neighbor who will clue you in on who to avoid and who to seek out. It may be safe to say that some of the elderly are “set in their ways” and regard their territory as sacred. Bon apetit

Ever notice when you ask someone why the American colonists decided to split from England that the response is often, “The Boston Tea Party.” Translated, that means “Taxation without representation.” To tax means to levy a rate on something, usually a needed item or service such as rent. Rent or rate is what management levies on residents at places like this one, an assisted living facility for seniors. And what do the residents in these places have to say about rate increases? “Pay up or get out!” What else? And here we are centuries later stuck with the same situation, namely, “Taxation without representation.” In their wisdom, our elected officials have exempted facilities that house the elderly from unreasonable rate increases. Nor are such facilities covered by Proposition 13, that measure enacted here in California that protects insurance companies, real estate owners, etc., but not the elderly in residences that render care and services to societies’ most vulnerable segment of the population. Rent control is for many, but not for residents in assisted living facilities. When you are looking for a suitable facility to live in, the subject of ability to pay is paramount to the prospective resident as well as to management. After that hurdle is forded, the resident will be made aware of the many restrictions and conditions applicable to residency. The Agreement presented for signature specifies the rate for occupancy plus the provision regarding annual rate increases, which may vary from low to high percentages and may even allow more than one increase within each year. In addition, in accordance with the changing needs of the resident for care and services after signing on, there are many levels of added costs. It is advisable to pay attention to the periodic increase of the rate. You should try to negotiate the matter before signing on. It’s a business deal, so try to do the best you can to avoid paying exorbitant annual rate increases after you move in. Remember, the average monthly rental hovers around five thousand dollars. Be mindful that an additional five percent increase each year adds up to an additional $500 or more each month of each year. Good luck? And after you sign up, don’t be surprised if the level of care and services that were in place when you joined are decreased after you move in, with no adjustment of the rate in your favor. You’re at the mercy of corporate America, which keep a watchful eye on the bottom line, not your interests. The law is on their side, not yours. Presumably, your facility will have a Resident’s Council, which can incite management to listen, so get active in the council. If anyone out there has ideas about this subject, let’s hear it.

Hi everyone, today is August 4, 2009, a day to reflect on Health Care for our Nation, which is currently being debated in the U S Congress. Congressional members and federal employees enjoy excellent health insurance. However, the people who elected those official and who are served by those government employees, find themselves in a morass of choices when seeking any kind of health insurance with a large percentage of the population having “iffy” coverage and nearly 50 million with no coverage at all. It’s puzzling why the elected decided to give themselves outstanding health insurance coverage at taxpayer expense, but continue to deny comparable coverage to the under insured electorate. On the surface, it smacks of hubris, you know, that fancy word that indicates excessive pride in oneself, believing that rou are better and therefore deserve more. It’s like saying, “I’m very important and you’re not so important.” It’s the basic philosophy of the ‘haves’. In a way, we all may have somewhat similar attitude, a fact that stymies the nation’s ability to coalesce over an issue, especially this one. A common question at hearings on the subject is, “Will ‘illegals’ be covered?” No one ever asks, “Are ‘illegals’ serving time in prisons covered?” Why would some one be concerned whether or not ‘illegals’ who work and raise families be eligible for coverage, while accepting the reality that criminals in prisons are receiving health coverage, whether or not they’re “legal’ or ‘illegal’ inmates? What is your take on universal health coverage for all Americans?

Hi everyone, today is August 4, 2009, a day to reflect on Health Care for our Nation, which is currently being debated in the U S Congress. Congressional members and federal employees enjoy excellent health insurance. However, the people who elected those official and who are served by those government employees, find themselves in a morass of choices when seeking any kind of health insurance with a large percentage of the population having “iffy” coverage and nearly 50 million with no coverage at all. It’s puzzling why the elected decided to give themselves outstanding health insurance coverage at taxpayer expense, but continue to deny comparable coverage to the under insured electorate. On the surface, it smacks of hubris, you know, that fancy word that indicates excessive pride in oneself, believing that rou are better and therefore deserve more. It’s like saying, “I’m very important and you’re not so important.” It’s the basic philosophy of the ‘haves’. In a way, we all may have somewhat similar attitude, a fact that stymies the nation’s ability to coalesce over an issue, especially this one. A common question at hearings on the subject is, “Will ‘illegals’ be covered?” No one ever asks, “Are ‘illegals’ serving time in prisons covered?” Why would some one be concerned whether or not ‘illegals’ who work and raise families be eligible for coverage, while accepting the reality that criminals in prisons are receiving health coverage, whether or not they’re “legal’ or ‘illegal’ inmates? What is your take on universal health coverage for all Americans?

Hi everyone, another great day in our lives doing the best we can for others and ourselves. It’s July 28^th, 2009 meaning that summer is half over. Remember Jackie Kennedy, Joe E. Brown or Beatrix Potter? Though long gone they remain in our hearts. All three were born this date and a happy birthday to all others born on this day. Talk about differences among nations, the following discrepancy caught my eye. While here in the good ole US of A we celebrate National Milk Chocolate Day, in China it’s the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts and in Ireland it’s Domhnach Chrom Day. The banality of our celebration is completely smoked by those in China and Ireland. And it would be interesting to learn which country treats its seniors best. Certainly here in this country we could do much better caring for the aged. When it comes to dividing up the Gross National Product (GNP), seniors get the crumbs off the table. It’s truly an enigma that the group that votes most, get the least portion of the financial pie. In the Army the unwanted are called supernumeraries. Our society has a lot of unkind words to label us seniors. The rest of the population seems to ignore how quickly they will become seniors. I firmly believe that if we had better healthcare, as people eventually wander into the Golden Years there would be more independent seniors, less members of that hallowed group that would need those expensive personnel care and services. Remember, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.”

Hi everyone. Today, July 27, 2009 brings a bit of good news. I sent a memo to the executive director of this senior citizens facility about the code violations of the American Disabilities Act, which specify that access to entrances, exits and paths of travel shall require no more than 5 lbs. of force to operate. Surprisingly, the response from management was immediate with a promise to secure the services of a door expert. Four working days later, the door expert showed up and adjusted the doors on the four public restrooms in the building. I had several residents test the force needed to operate the doors and all said it was much better. For the benefit of those who may want to know the citation in the American Disabilities Act, which has been incorporated into the California code, the reference is titled “Section 1133B General Accessibility For Entrances, Exits and Paths of Travel. Go to 1133B.2.5 Closer-effort to operate doors. Maximum effort to operate doors shall not exceed 5 lbs….”

The timely response to the memo was appreciated, indicating that the management of assisted living facility does not want to be in violation of building codes. Compliance is far cheaper than a lawsuit. Recently, there was another example of citing code violations to achieve a goal. The entrance stairway failed to have an accessible handrail to aid those using the front steps. Here again, management responded positively when the code violation was noted in writing. A very fine proper handrail now exists down the center of the front steps to the entrance of the building. The lesson here is that no matter the complaint or suggestion, if there is a building code violation, management will respond to written notice quickly and favorably. It is noted that this information is a follow-up to the paragraphs immediately below.

For those planning to enter an assisted living facility, remember that management holds all the power. Don’t be surprised if the level of care and services that existed when you signed the contract, is decreased after you become a resident. Also, if you have a suggestion or complaint, be patient. Promises to “look into it” are like pie-crusts, they’re meant to be broken. Jonathon Swift said that a long time ago and it’s just as true today. Even if the issue is one of safety, don’t expect wonders. Responses from management include a litany of roadblocks: “The Board has it under advisement,” “Bids are out for contracts,” “These things take time,” etc. Recently at this facility, I related residents complaints that they were having trouble accessing its public bathhrooms, noting heavy doors and handles. The suggestion was made to install automatic door openers to solve the problem. Management deferred interest in the matter with claims they have done the best they can. Also claiming that the building was designed for seniors, so it must be in compliance with building codes. Well, a review of the state building codes made in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, clearly stated that “Maximum effort to operate doors shall not exceed 5 lbs for exterior and interior doors, such pull or pull efforts applied at right angles to hinged doors and at the center plane of sliding or folding doors. Compensating devices or automatic door operators may be utilized to meet the above standards.”

A memo sent to the executive director of the facility was immediately met with a promise to get the door expert in to assess the problem. Is that a success story? Hold your breath, because it might hit managerial snags such as those previously mentioned. You can rest assured that the follow-up will come under close surveillance. Unfortunately, it’s an example where even when a safety issue is involved, management will not cooperate. In this case, the apparent threat of building inspectors descending on these premises was the motivating factor. Remember, when you have a suggestion or complaint, you must formally advise the management in writing. In law, that’s called notice. Once they’re on notice, they can’t say that they didn’t know.