StarvingMoma
04-26-2002, 01:14 AM
My moma passed away April 15, 2002 after spending her last five days of her life with me. My sister and I took her out of a facility from being starved to her death. She entered this facilty to recover from a bladder infection at local hospital to gain her strength by rehabilative measures and you would expect that they would feed her and give her a fast remedy to why she was not eating. Moma entered march 21, 2002, by April 2, 2002 they yelled that her civil rights were being violated. She entered having her primary physician in her life, but they deemed him wreckless for her and took a higher directive and demanded him to be released and their residential doctor over her life. Then from April 2, 2002 to April 9, 2002 this residential doctor never met my moma (found out on the 9th of April) to help her one bit. When we were told this new directive was in play, they had told us that their new med's would help her greatly to eat and gain weight. Then on April 9, 2002 I called this residential doctor and asked him what to do at this point for moma, knowing he never met her at all. He proceeded to have me fill him in on who she was, her condition and what are my concerns. I was so shaken at this point that it was very hard to continue my interview with him, but for the sake of my investigation I maintained and concluded my call by him telling me a story about nasal feeding and it turned out bad to say the least. The womn he spoke of went into a coma after tube feeding. I asked him when does he think it should happen for my moma. He told me he would do nothing for her without Power Of Attorney. I was still shaken by all he told me and that so far she had loss over 20 pounds and they never moved on her part to save her sooner. By this time her life is so compromised that it was way to late to keep her alive. So, on April 10, 2002 a few of us family members went in and just took her out, but not without so much pain and crap to get us to leave her there to die. That was unbelieveable for them to say that she wanted to stay to get stronger. Oh my God!!!!
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Joan Powell
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Joan Powell
Sponsor
nicola76
04-26-2002, 08:41 AM
Have you thought about hiring an attorney and suing for negligence? By suing you could draw attention to waht happened to your mother and possibly stop this from happening to other people's loved ones.
I'm so sorry for what happened to your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
:angel:
Nicola
I'm so sorry for what happened to your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
:angel:
Nicola
StarvingMoma
04-26-2002, 12:26 PM
Thank You for you reply and right now I have asked our local Ombudsman to do the investigation with the Adult Seniors Protective Services and with the facility involved. This phase is called the Formal Complaint and I also paid for her autopsy, so we know for sure what she died of and maybe the path of death can be of value in this. We know she had Cardiovascular (heart) problems and she was blessed to live this long (80 yrs.) She ruptured the artery in her stomach and bled some and then died very fast, thank God!!!!
But, was not eating, being starved, and no drink to substain her life longer, plus having the very huge bedsore, all elements in her dying at this time. This has to be litigated for sure. I do have an attorney that will take this on for the family. We have to wait for the full report from the autopsy man and the investigator first.
For now just writing my story is my way to get it out and get people's attention and to love their parents in these places that do not care to feed and give fluids. Moma entered to just recover from a bladder infection and excercise was to be involved. Then to be home in 2 weeks no matter what. Besides, when she was to die, she wanted to die at home. So, as a family we had all our wits about us to watch over her medical decisions as she requested of us when she moved to Salem, Or. This happens everyday to our senior community in nursing home facilities. We had no time to research any place out before she had to go there. After she died a friend of mine told me to go to compare nursing homes facilities website and I found this place on there with 9 deficiencies aganist them. This info is on the Medicare page that pours dollars into these places, knowing full well what goes on to the elderly. Moma was to be evaluated why she was not eating. On top of that they never fed her, or to assist her to eat when she did eat only the sweets.
She had a swolling problem, but being true, they should have nasal fed her to substain her in time to save her weight loss before she crossed over to death. This looks very simple does it not? But they waited until day 12 to scream out to us that she needed PILLS to help her eat. Pills were already a problem, large food was a problem, so figure this out. Then as it went into the death phase for her, they are just making her comfortable to pass on. We had to see this crap designed out by people who could care less how it all went down for moma.
Then, when we stole her out of there, they told us she did not want to go home with us, but wanted to stay there to get stronger!!!!! Yea, right, death is at the door and they say the word STRONGER to our face! That about gagged me and told them to get out of our face and we are leaving. I told them that they would be investigated and we left.
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Joan Powell
But, was not eating, being starved, and no drink to substain her life longer, plus having the very huge bedsore, all elements in her dying at this time. This has to be litigated for sure. I do have an attorney that will take this on for the family. We have to wait for the full report from the autopsy man and the investigator first.
For now just writing my story is my way to get it out and get people's attention and to love their parents in these places that do not care to feed and give fluids. Moma entered to just recover from a bladder infection and excercise was to be involved. Then to be home in 2 weeks no matter what. Besides, when she was to die, she wanted to die at home. So, as a family we had all our wits about us to watch over her medical decisions as she requested of us when she moved to Salem, Or. This happens everyday to our senior community in nursing home facilities. We had no time to research any place out before she had to go there. After she died a friend of mine told me to go to compare nursing homes facilities website and I found this place on there with 9 deficiencies aganist them. This info is on the Medicare page that pours dollars into these places, knowing full well what goes on to the elderly. Moma was to be evaluated why she was not eating. On top of that they never fed her, or to assist her to eat when she did eat only the sweets.
She had a swolling problem, but being true, they should have nasal fed her to substain her in time to save her weight loss before she crossed over to death. This looks very simple does it not? But they waited until day 12 to scream out to us that she needed PILLS to help her eat. Pills were already a problem, large food was a problem, so figure this out. Then as it went into the death phase for her, they are just making her comfortable to pass on. We had to see this crap designed out by people who could care less how it all went down for moma.
Then, when we stole her out of there, they told us she did not want to go home with us, but wanted to stay there to get stronger!!!!! Yea, right, death is at the door and they say the word STRONGER to our face! That about gagged me and told them to get out of our face and we are leaving. I told them that they would be investigated and we left.
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Joan Powell
cadis31
04-26-2002, 02:25 PM
Hi Joan, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Death is a terrible thing to go through, especially when it is someone so dear and close to our hearts. nicola pretty much said what I was going to, so I will give you a little something that a friend of mine gave me, and has helped me through quite a few passings, I hope it will give you even a little sunshine in your life at this time. "When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying." From the love that you and your family have expressed for yur mom, I would say this is how she lived her life, and lived a full one. Just remember the good times, and the love shared by her and your family, and be thankful for that gift. If at all posible put a smile on, we all know she is in a better place whithout the pains of life, and health. Be thankful for that also. I hope this message was able to put a little bit of a smile on your face. My prayers, thoughts and love extend to and for you and your family, God bless and may he be with all of you in this time of need. :angel:
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~cadis~
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~cadis~
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StarvingMoma
04-28-2002, 03:54 PM
Thank you ever so much for your reply. The day before she passed, her two sisters were coming up to see her at my home, but earlier in that morning she told me she was looking for a laugh. So, as it turned out, after her sisters got here, she had 2 hours of laughs and picturing sharing. That will always stay with me, even in the process of death right before my eyes, while I am so sad, she got happy. That told me exactly what you have told me. Wow, what a confirmation!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you for caring enough to post.
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Joan Powell
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Joan Powell
Squirrel-1
05-04-2002, 11:17 PM
I am outraged. I am an RN that specializes in the Geriatrics. I dedicate my life to make the elderly feel wanted and loved. I love each and everyone of them. I cry now as I read your post. How people that call themselves caregivers could stand by and let this happen is beyond my comprehension. I hope you keep up the fight to make this facility accountable for thier actions. If there is anyone advice I can give you from a medical professional, please feel free to ask.
nicola76
05-05-2002, 09:53 AM
I personally think this facility needs to be publicly named and shamed. Everybody who works in that place should also be held accountable.
StarvingMoma
05-05-2002, 12:36 PM
Thank You Squirrel-1
I have questions:
1. Would you wait until day 12 to scream her civil rights were being violated and take a higher directive to remove her primary?
2. Would you do this HD so the residential doctor could give her new med's to save her life, even on day 12 so that she might start eating at this point, even after day 12 and she lost 12 or more pounds?
3. Would you not inform the family members sooner about aggressive measures to feed her and would it be pills or what else sooner? (which we saw daily and complained)
4. Would you make declarations that she would now have better care once you got the residential doctor on the case at day 12 and that much weight lost already?
5. What would you say at the point that her life was compromised by neglect?
6. Can moma have told them she wanted to stop eating?
7. Would you not tell her daughters that she made this declaration.
8. How would you cover up this point, that she was neglected and starved to death?
9. As a Social Worker would you tell the family that she wanted to stay and get stronger, when she is good as dead at that point?
Just a few point to run thru your mind for me, and thank you for being there for me.
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Joan Powell
I have questions:
1. Would you wait until day 12 to scream her civil rights were being violated and take a higher directive to remove her primary?
2. Would you do this HD so the residential doctor could give her new med's to save her life, even on day 12 so that she might start eating at this point, even after day 12 and she lost 12 or more pounds?
3. Would you not inform the family members sooner about aggressive measures to feed her and would it be pills or what else sooner? (which we saw daily and complained)
4. Would you make declarations that she would now have better care once you got the residential doctor on the case at day 12 and that much weight lost already?
5. What would you say at the point that her life was compromised by neglect?
6. Can moma have told them she wanted to stop eating?
7. Would you not tell her daughters that she made this declaration.
8. How would you cover up this point, that she was neglected and starved to death?
9. As a Social Worker would you tell the family that she wanted to stay and get stronger, when she is good as dead at that point?
Just a few point to run thru your mind for me, and thank you for being there for me.
------------------
Joan Powell
niecsey
05-05-2002, 01:46 PM
That is so sad and so unnecessary :mad:
StarvingMoma
05-05-2002, 02:42 PM
Yes, so sad indeed. The Ombudsman will be done around June 20, 2002 with his report and we will see if they give us justice in this sickening human kennel. This company is Avamere in Wilsonville, Oregon. They have 18 facilities I believe. I do not know at this point if the CEO and President have the knowledge of what went on at South Salem Rehab & Specialtiy Care in Salem, Oregon.
I am asking AARP, that has 430,000 members to help me get to our Capitol here in Salem to get public attention. Janet Carlson, one of our legislators has written me back with her sadness. I have written e-mails to the Whitehouse also.
[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 05-05-2002).]
I am asking AARP, that has 430,000 members to help me get to our Capitol here in Salem to get public attention. Janet Carlson, one of our legislators has written me back with her sadness. I have written e-mails to the Whitehouse also.
[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 05-05-2002).]
Squirrel-1
05-07-2002, 03:32 PM
Originally posted by StarvingMoma:
Thank You Squirrel-1
I have questions:
1. Would you wait until day 12 to scream her civil rights were being violated and take a higher directive to remove her primary?
No, I would not have waited until day 12. That is ridiculous. It is important for the elderly to recieve proper nutrition. We all have days when we do not feel like eating. The elderly suffer from physical ailments and depression. Thier nutrition intake should be recorded after every meal. I do not know the procedures in the facitlity where you work but, I ask the Care Aides, whose duty it is to report if the resident is eating and how much,what the intake is and measurements every day. I would start watching the intake on the secound day. I would if they refuse to eat the morning of the third day start to take action.
2. Would you do this HD so the residential doctor could give her new med's to save her life, even on day 12 so that she might start eating at this point, even after day 12 and she lost 12 or more pounds?
Well, as I have stated before it would never have gone that far. If I reported this to the attending physicain the evening of day two and found that Day Three has come along and she was being neglected I would start procedures then.
3. Would you not inform the family members sooner about aggressive measures to feed her and would it be pills or what else sooner? (which we saw daily and complained)
I am not sure what you mean by, aggressive measures. I would not force feed anyone. But, I would suggest that she have nutritional drinks avaiable at all times. Sometimes the elderly do not feel like solid food but, there is nutrtional drinks that offer some nutrients.
4. Would you make declarations that she would now have better care once you got the residential doctor on the case at day 12 and that much weight lost already?
I am not sure what you mean by this question. I will say that the only loyalty I have is to the people that I care for. I have went against co-workers, hospital administration, and doctors when I see something I dissaprove of and I will carry that responsiblity to the end.
5. What would you say at the point that her life was compromised by neglect?
I would report it immediatly to the proper authorities and I would make it my responsiblity to make sure it is stopped.
6. Can moma have told them she wanted to stop eating? She may have, however she was elderly and may have suffered from depression. She may have told them but, it would not have been in her best interest to stop feeding her. You have a problem here with people's personal rights. If she was refusing food the aides that care for her could not force her to eat, it is considered abuse now to try and force feed someone. Having said that, as I mentioned earlier, it is the aides responsiblity to report this to the head nurse, in turn, it is her responsibility to report this to the attending physicain that has the power to authorize a different method for her to obtain nutrients.
7. Would you not tell her daughters that she made this declaration.
Absolutely, I recently had a woman of Italian descent. She refuse to eat. On the evening of the first day of her admission I discussed this with the family members. I told them that we will keep a eye on it as she had just been admitted and may have needed some time to adjust. The evening of the secound day she still wasn't eating, so I telephoned the family and after some brainstorming, we made the conclusion that it was the food that she did not like as, she cooked very traditional Italian. They worked out a program where as they would bring food from home for her once a day to ensure that she ate something.
8. How would you cover up this point, that she was neglected and starved to death?
I wouldn't. I could not imagine even doing something like this. I have no idea how I would cover it up as it is unspeakable to me.
9. As a Social Worker would you tell the family that she wanted to stay and get stronger, when she is good as dead at that point?
NO. Did this happen? As, I stated earlier, my loyalty is to the care and treatment of my patients, not the hospital, other nurses, doctors or anyone else. People that work with me know that I do not tolerate any shady behaviour. I am a gentle, caring person and if you work on my shift you better be too. If this happened, I would do whatever I have to do to expose this.
Just a few point to run thru your mind for me, and thank you for being there for me.
Thank You Squirrel-1
I have questions:
1. Would you wait until day 12 to scream her civil rights were being violated and take a higher directive to remove her primary?
No, I would not have waited until day 12. That is ridiculous. It is important for the elderly to recieve proper nutrition. We all have days when we do not feel like eating. The elderly suffer from physical ailments and depression. Thier nutrition intake should be recorded after every meal. I do not know the procedures in the facitlity where you work but, I ask the Care Aides, whose duty it is to report if the resident is eating and how much,what the intake is and measurements every day. I would start watching the intake on the secound day. I would if they refuse to eat the morning of the third day start to take action.
2. Would you do this HD so the residential doctor could give her new med's to save her life, even on day 12 so that she might start eating at this point, even after day 12 and she lost 12 or more pounds?
Well, as I have stated before it would never have gone that far. If I reported this to the attending physicain the evening of day two and found that Day Three has come along and she was being neglected I would start procedures then.
3. Would you not inform the family members sooner about aggressive measures to feed her and would it be pills or what else sooner? (which we saw daily and complained)
I am not sure what you mean by, aggressive measures. I would not force feed anyone. But, I would suggest that she have nutritional drinks avaiable at all times. Sometimes the elderly do not feel like solid food but, there is nutrtional drinks that offer some nutrients.
4. Would you make declarations that she would now have better care once you got the residential doctor on the case at day 12 and that much weight lost already?
I am not sure what you mean by this question. I will say that the only loyalty I have is to the people that I care for. I have went against co-workers, hospital administration, and doctors when I see something I dissaprove of and I will carry that responsiblity to the end.
5. What would you say at the point that her life was compromised by neglect?
I would report it immediatly to the proper authorities and I would make it my responsiblity to make sure it is stopped.
6. Can moma have told them she wanted to stop eating? She may have, however she was elderly and may have suffered from depression. She may have told them but, it would not have been in her best interest to stop feeding her. You have a problem here with people's personal rights. If she was refusing food the aides that care for her could not force her to eat, it is considered abuse now to try and force feed someone. Having said that, as I mentioned earlier, it is the aides responsiblity to report this to the head nurse, in turn, it is her responsibility to report this to the attending physicain that has the power to authorize a different method for her to obtain nutrients.
7. Would you not tell her daughters that she made this declaration.
Absolutely, I recently had a woman of Italian descent. She refuse to eat. On the evening of the first day of her admission I discussed this with the family members. I told them that we will keep a eye on it as she had just been admitted and may have needed some time to adjust. The evening of the secound day she still wasn't eating, so I telephoned the family and after some brainstorming, we made the conclusion that it was the food that she did not like as, she cooked very traditional Italian. They worked out a program where as they would bring food from home for her once a day to ensure that she ate something.
8. How would you cover up this point, that she was neglected and starved to death?
I wouldn't. I could not imagine even doing something like this. I have no idea how I would cover it up as it is unspeakable to me.
9. As a Social Worker would you tell the family that she wanted to stay and get stronger, when she is good as dead at that point?
NO. Did this happen? As, I stated earlier, my loyalty is to the care and treatment of my patients, not the hospital, other nurses, doctors or anyone else. People that work with me know that I do not tolerate any shady behaviour. I am a gentle, caring person and if you work on my shift you better be too. If this happened, I would do whatever I have to do to expose this.
Just a few point to run thru your mind for me, and thank you for being there for me.