A year has come and gone since my 95-yr old mom went into NH care following hip surgery. At first, Family Care meetings were scheduled every two months or so but petered out as the year progressed (and, coincidently, when Medicaid kicked in). The last one was four months ago.
After I recently reported an incident that suggested potential mistreatment of my mother by an aide, I was assured by the social worker that it would be internally investigated "immediately" and that I would be kept fully informed. I was not. (The SW never got back to me.) I had to hunt down the nursing director who then provided information on the appropriate steps taken, policies followed, and further actions. I was then satisfied that the matter was properly addressed but very disappointed that I was not kept "in the loop."
So now I'm wondering why four months have passed since the last FCMeeting -especially since this recent incident might have prompted one to ease our family's concerns and demonstrate due diligence.
Are Family Care Meetings only provided "as needed?" Is it up to the family to schedule them?
Just looking at it logistically these meetings (and the prep work) take up a considerable chunk of the day for all the senior staff, there are many residents in each facility and holding one CC per day could only cover 30 residents per month.
How did you inform them of issues?
Dont be shy about looking up the director of nursing or whom ever when you’re on site. If they are busy set up a meeting ASAP. You don’t have to wait for some scheduled meeting a month from Sunday.
Be firm with these folks but not abrasive and combative. These jobs are not easy. It’s better to have a working relationship with staff and admin if possible.
I had some adjustment issues when my dad moved to his new place about four months ago. Bathing, meds, laundry , dentures not getting cleaned etc. I wasn’t a jerk about it but I was very firm and let them know that I was watching things closely. Dads doing well now, I talk to the staff regularly and we respect one another.
And I’ll be dropping off some valentine candy and thank you cards at all the nurses stations next week.
It is sad to say that I have to constantly send more than one email to get follow up to a question. We have told them that they need to reply within 24 hours and they promise to but don't. By "them", I referring to the DON, the nurse coordinator, and or the administrator. My dad is at a continuing care community and is private pay at over $10,000 a month. My running joke is that to get that good level of care he would be at the $15,000 level. ha!!
You can certainly contact your ombudsman in your state and make a formal complaint if it's something that is not being addressed.
But, ask the DON or administrator what the policy is on care conferences. At least annual should be the minimum.
I have a question. If your mom went in for hip surgery, why is she still in rehab/residential facility? Does she have osteoporosis? Is she not getting daily rehab to help build up muscles? It seems that the plan would be to help her get strong enough to go home.
Care Plans are not optional in skilled homes that takes Medicare/Medicaid, they are to be done every three months. Care Plans are also required any time there is a "significant change" in a resident's condition.
Families are to be invited to the Care Plan Meeting, if you have not been invited I would call the Care Plan Coordinator (called the MDS Coordinator) and asked if there has been a Care Plan. Many times homes have them without the family knowing. Families should be invited, it is our right unless your loved one has told the home that they do not want you to be invited.
Note: Assisted Living Communities and Skilled Nursing Homes that do not accept Medicare / Medicaid are not required to do the Care Plans because the Federal Regulations do not apply to them, they only are regulated by State Regulations. That being said most communities do have the a "care plan" typed meeting.
Families in any long-term care community can request a "family meeting" at any time to discuss concerns.
If a family wants an advocate to attend a Care Plan Meeting with them, contact your local Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ombudsman are the Federally mandated advocates for residents in long-term care facilities. They are experts in the laws and there is no charge for their services.
There are changes happening right now with how payment is going to be made to homes. The Federal Laws have just been updated, these changes have been implemented over the last three years with phase three going into effect in November 2019.
Some of the final rulings for different regulations are still being worked out.