Mom's assisted living home

[cookiedough]

I visited my mom Friday night after work (was told all tested negative for COVID on Wednesday so opened back up for visitors)  and not sure how to handle this situation with the mgr. and owner of the small 8 unit assisted living home.  Is good there overall but from what the long time worker there told me, if true, is totally NOT right and technically grounds for getting their facility in big trouble.

The mgr. did tell me that one person there did come down with COVID having what was then 7 there at the time one month ago in December (now only 5 left,  two people passed recently supposedly NOT COVID related).  Mgr. also told me that lady once coming back from the hospital who tested positive in the hospital for COVID that once she returns that all residents are quaranteened in their own rooms and NO visitors allowed in the building at all.

Anyways,  the long time worker told me Friday night that all 7 residents got tested for COVID without my consent (I am mom's POA) and apparently all 7 residents tested positive for COVID  guessing about 1 month ago while the 3 rotating people who work there all tested negative.   I was NEVER told that my mom tested positive for COVID nor was tested one month or so ago,  which really pisses me off.  I asked the worker there who is there most of the time if my mom developed any side effects from COVID and she said not really just a litte more tired than normal it seemed like but no one at all had any fevers or breathing problems, etc. that were serious at all.    

Makes me wonder now what happened the past 1 month there since 2 of the 7 residents passed supposedly NOT COVID related one fell down and the UW hospital messed with her blood screwing her up passing she did test positive for COVID,  while the long time worker said the other nice old lady passed all of a sudden in one week which to me she seemed in very good physical and mental shape.    She said neither death was COVID related but to NOT be told 1st my mom was tested for COVID without my consent and then testing positive NOT telling me is WRONG, if true.  

Mom seemed her normal self not sick or anything just altheizmers really bad in terms of mental capacity.  She is so far gone that even if she was sick or short of breath or anything,  she would not tell anyone as evident the past few months when she lost both of her big toe nails due to fungus buildup underneath and one severely chipped tooth in her mouth not telling anyone for months.

[Robert]

I know your frustration and upsetment but most homes are really terrible. If you have one that is half way decent and from the sound of it you do I would just give them notice that you know what happened and would appreciate it if they would inform you of the situation before they take action.

In you moms condition she would not know the truth of what happened and they more than likely took decent care of her from the sound of it. Its more about the care and respect to notify you about what was taking place. But I doubt it would have led to a different treatment and the outcome doesn't sound bad. with the covid they were not allowing anyone to visit or talk to relatives anyway so there wouldn't have been much you could have done.

[0leman]

Cookie, sounds like your Mom's place is not talking to you or you are not talking to them on a regular basis. 

The place where my Mom is at, has been testing regularly once a week since October.  since we sign documents saying that they were/could help in the safety/health of my Mom, there was no need to get my/hers permission.  In fact would have been a little worried if they were not testing regularly.  The
head of the place does call when there is problems.   The whole place has been on lockdown for visitors since end of November.  And yes there has been a couple  residents that have tested positive plus several of the staff.   There were some 50 plus residents in place when the virus really took hold around here, not sure how many are there now.

All the residents/staff have been giving the first shot of the vaccine.  The second is to be given next week.  Hopefully they will open the place up for limited visitation soon.     

[cookiedough]

I am not upset they tested her without my consent, but to have tested positive not telling me is WRONG, especially with only 7 total residents. 

Yes,  Nichole the mgr. and me text or email every 2-3 weeks so am in constant contact at least once per month for sure.    Am sure she has a lot going on and forgot, but still not right.   I read the obit tonight of the other older lady in early 80's that passed all of a sudden in one week went fast and she had altzheimers as well age 83. 

[f6gal]

The "long time worker" violated bunch of HIPAA protections by telling you private medical information of other residents.  Yeah, you might get the home in trouble if you pursue it.  The "long time worker" will likely be fired.  If she has a license or certification, her board will likely sanction her (or worse).  There are also a number of potential penalties she may face.

https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-happens-if-you-break-hipaa-rules/#:~:text=The%20minimum%20fine%20for%20willful,criminal%20violation%20of%20HIPAA%20Rules.