I came home from running errands and found a business card from an investigator Not sure if this is in the right spot...cause it actually fits more than one description of which topics it may fall under... I'm looking for some input ~ hoping someone can help me.. I live with my 95 year old grandmother, two weeks ago she got very sick/wasn't herself. I believed it was a UTI (..in addition to not being herself, her urine had quite the odor - not normal). Took her to the ER (Tuesday) - doctor wouldn't treat her/sent us home (but they did get a urine specimen to rule out any problems). After that visit, we went home ~ couldn't get Gran out of the car (very unsteady on her feet) - when I finally got her out...knees started to buckle. Put my car alarm on see if any of the neighbors were home - and to help us. Luckily a few people came out - but we couldn't get grandmom to walk (she was shaking). Gran was saying she wanted to go into the house but it wasn't possible (wasn't moving legs to walk). Neighbor called 911 -- back to the ER (2nd time). Same ER doc as earlier, he was very condescending and said 'weakness is not a symptom' and sent us home. But before leaving - he said she'd be better off in skilled nursing care for the rest of her life. No, she doesn't need nursing care - however, she has an infection and no one will help her/us. Fast forward to Friday of that week - gran wasn't too bad from Tuesday to Friday (definitely wasn't herself though) - about 2:00am I helped her get up from bed to the bathroom. First thing I noticed - she was very hot. Immediately I took her temperature (103). Called 911 - back to ER (different ER doctor) - this time they kept her. All tests came back clean (yea - negative urine specimen/urine culture) with one exception -- tested positive for c-difficile colitis. Fast forward to 02/28 (hospitalized from 02/24 thru 02/28) - I requested that grandmom go into temporary rehab with the hopes of regaining some strength/agility as well as to recover more from the c-difficile. First care plan meeting was yesterday - even with the infection, she was exceeding all of the staffs expectations of her. Today - I was out doing errands (...getting car inspected; few other runs I needed to get done)..came home and found a business card between my doors -- An investigator from older adult protective services was here while I was away. Nothing else left in the door, just the card. My questions -- is someone attempting to get me in trouble for abuse (that never existed)? Is this a result of being c-difficile positive / this is a routine investigation? There was a similar type of incident in 2012 - grandmother fell, but I asked them to come by and evaluate grandmother to see if we are eligible for any services (meals on wheels, etc)...never received a business card from older adult protective services back then. My uncle's girlfriend has tried many times to start trouble thru the years but hasn't stopped to the current low....Sadly I wouldn't be shocked if it was her....(uncle's girlfriend has attempted to make me homeless; demanded I show her grandmom's financial records; etc - and no..since I'm the financial poa, didn't comply). But anyways...can someone help me make sense of all this? Am I being blamed for c-diff infection (...is this being classified as abuse?)? How can I defend myself against this potential aligation (...assuming I'm being charged with abuse)? I'm fairly certain that this was my uncle's girlfriend doing... but either way, I need to figure out how to protect myself against untrue lies.
In regard to the first ER physician...yes, I will be writing a letter to the hospital, etc. My grandmother's family doctor did call me on Monday morning (while she was still admitted) - he heard the story from his colleague (who had to call the ER before our arrival - so she wouldn't be sent home). Family doc was very angry/upset - she should only have been to the ER once - not three times. Said if I need anything, don't hesitate and give him a call. He did say there may be a time when gran gets sick again ~ then it may be time to seriously start talking about assisted living. The way she bounced back proved to him that she's not read for assisted living/skilled nursing.
Prior to the c-diff, grandmom could care for herself with minor assistance from me (...mostly opening the cap on the mouthwash - little things like that). Never had an issue with cleanliness with her... only issue with her is dry skin - which I think runs in the family anyways.
After the second ER visit - I had called home health and already had the ball rolling. Was told they would start officially that Monday - which didn't happen due to being admitted to the hospital the Friday before... but the agency is well aware of what's going on - they've been to the rehab facility to review grandmom's file - and are ready to go once she's discharged. I'm definitely not qualified to be caregiver of the year ~ I'm not superwoman... I know my limits and know when to ask for help.
And yes - it was 'APS' that left their card in the door. How would I go about investigating who made the complaint? Do I have a right to know? Definitely will be calling her family doctor tomorrow too -- so I can get copies of grand mom's medical records from his office.
But they may be able to send in a home care nurse to follow up on her a couple times a week..... They did this with my aunt... Now aunt doesn't need it anymore....
When your gma appeared at the E.R. did she appear unkempt with long fingernails, dirty hair, torn clothes? So sorry to ask and you don't need to answer. The E.R. doc who refused to treat a very ill woman is the most likely
mandated reporter-I don't know what his problem was. Maybe they are actually investigating the doctor's actions.
It could be anything, not you, nothing you have done.
It is so nice some protections are in place for folks.
Sorry to bring up gma's appearance, but you wanted to know possibilities, yes?
My advice is to talk to the social worker. There may indeed be something they can offer you. If something was reported, you can clear it up easily. People do things to cover their own butts, as you know, and medical personnel are no different. Someone may have sensed you might benefit from some help, who knows.
"Don't borrow tomorrow's troubles..." :-) Call, see what it is. Come back and talk about it and people here will continue to offer support and advice through anything. (((hugs)))