They say that my husband has turned very aggressive and the transfer is for his benefit and other patients. The problem is that the other place "they decided" is very far, all highways and bridges in this complicated city of Jacksonville. They are taking my husband away from me. Is this legal? I tried to talk to to find another place. I just looked in the map, and I do not recognize the area. I am desperate....Please help
She was released from a behavioral health facility, after a few months of a consistent daily routine the combo of psych meds 4 squares a day, exercise, activities all part of the routine.... she was a PEACH a really sweet one at that. I had her moved to a NH facility a great one (3 years now) they weened her off of some psych meds .... Well let's just say I saw the dark cloud moving in and the staff said ...she's fine she's fine....she's only like that with you. it's the dementia I said "it's not the dementia, I am concerned about, she's not acting herself, I am concerned about her behavioral change," they said "Well she's sweet to us.... not a problem!!!" ..I said ."I don't care if she treats me badly" "I know my Mom and I am telling you your going to have a disaster on your hands with her on the lower doses."
"Well just make A NOTE in your log book I WARNED YOU!!!!!....."
So I told them " I'm just stopping in for short visits because when I am here she's not happy, she gets angry and will make it hard on everyone to care for her after I leave, (once Mom is in a mood ....YIKES!!!!) if you need me call me.
I decided in my mind.... OK then...they will see how she gets, LMAO, then I'll never need to go through explaining this again.
A few week later I get a call "your Mom won't shower, refuses to get dressed, won't take meds, isn't sleeping, won't let anyone touch her, she has become impossible to care for. What do we do??? "
I said go back in the log book and look for the medication change and me warning you that the meds changed and so has her behavior!!!! Logical answer is the medication needs to be altered to make her stable. I am not telling you to sedate her just make her stable. I talked to the psych Dr and I explained my Mom's personality and she got it. It took a few months of adjusting but she's been a PEACH EVER SINCE!!!!!!
I don't think it would be wise for you to sign anything agreeing or discharging him from the current facility. This is not your choice it is theirs. Or admitting him to another facility. If you are the POA make sure you carry these papers with you and sign as "acting agent" not as responsible party.. I would express the need for paperwork about this action in the event you need them at a later date for any reason. The nurses should have a log of his medications and memo's of his behavior during his time at the facility. All this will be helpful for the next facility wherever that is going to be. Every time a person is transferred things get mixed up and confused, it is always beneficial to have any documents, logs, info etc....
In-fact make a log of this date, the phone call conversation, name and job title of who called you, what they said etc. every call you make such as ombudsman, a lawyer, doctors, social workers, whoever you call and do the same thing date, time, names etc. believe me, it will become a whirlwind of confusion for you and you will not remember it all. People wake up when you say well I spoke to you on feb 19, 2013 at noon and you said "blaa blaa" my point being.... Then they know that you are on the ball.... even if you have no idea whats happening, but they will listen to you or get you answers put you through another person if they can't help instead of quick... no answer...useless never ending phone calls. I found it always helps if you act like you are nice, even if you want to choke the person that you need any answers or results from, either in person or on the phone.
Oh!!! helpful hint... say I know you busy but try understand my situation, I'm trying to do what's best for my husband this is my only intention.
P.S. don't sign anything without reading everything sometimes a persons job is to get you to help them to do the next step.... and it may seem in your best interest, but if it's not clear and you feel pressured take your time....you'll get answers because they need something from you to move along... so just be careful.
I wish you and your husband the best and hope it all works out for you. you have a right to have information and answers.and look into what vstefans said about trying to find out what caused change.
http://ombudsman.myflorida.com/ResidentsRights.php
their website states:
A nursing home must give residents 30 days written notice prior to discharge or transfer. A resident who thinks the above rights have been violated must request a hearing in writing within 90 days by sending the form given to them by the facility to: Office of Appeals Hearings.
Requesting a hearing within 10 days stops the removal of the resident until the hearing process is completed. A nursing home resident may request assistance from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.