Has anyone ever dealt with Meals on Wheels having to wait to provide delivery and then calling the police for a wellness for your loved one? I’m my mom’s sole caregiver and see her every other day after work for all her care needs (prepared meals, toiletries, pay bills, etc). So I have a good grip on her mental and physical wellbeing. She has been more stiff lately, but I can’t get her to go to the doctor for anything, for at least 3 years now. Plus, winter is tough on her and she wants to sleep and stay warm.
The other day, Mom took about 8mins to open the door and take delivery of her meal. This has been happening more lately. About 4 hours later, the police knocked on her door and said that meals on wheels told him that she didn’t answer the door and that they couldn’t reach her for delivery. This was false and I witnessed it through the security cameras. So I chalked it up to missed communication.
Fast forward to today and again she took about 6 mins to answer the door and the meals on wheels deliverer advised her that he would have to call the police to check if she doesn’t answer the door. While I appreciate this approach, I am concerned that no one has reached out to me at all. Meanwhile, I am watching everything through security cameras. I also do not want to have to keep calling the police for false alarms. But having them calling me every delivery while I’m at work would also be an issue. I might have to move her doorbell closer since the volume on her TV is loud.
Does anyone know what the best practice should be for Meals on Wheels? I’m afraid of multiple false alarms to the police department for something I can check on.
Thanks in advance for your support and suggestions!
Who else beside the MOW person checks on Mom during the week?
That's part of their invaliable service, those extra eyes & the friendly (if brief) chat. Obviously some folk prefer to have their meals left on the porch, but many may welcome that little hello in their day.
It would be a shame if being 'slowed up' reduced the social contact.
I guess if just one driver/delivery person there's no time for a quick "be there in 10mins" call. If 2 staff, maybe... But phone probably not heard over the TV 😕
Having slower mobility doesn't necessary mean there will be more falls BUT slower, painful or stiff joints can impact balance & reduce reaction time.
My LO had been getting slower & slower to answer the door (for home care aides). Some would call their Supervisor & report no answer. Most staff did get to know & allow extra time.. some even started to call ahead. My LO didn't want to be left standing at the door waiting at all so that didn't really work.
Over time, the combo of poor mobility + rushing to the doorbell was causing more & more falls.
A key box was installed for the aids to let themself in (but I'm not sure if that is appropriate for MOW).
Leaving groceries was also a problem as bending to pickup from the floor had caused falls too.
Maybe you'd consider talking to Mom about how she is coping - in general, not just the MOW issue.
Eg Is it time for her to consider getting a little more help around the home? Or more company? A falls alert for frail people living alone is a good safety addition. Hope she has one.
I hope you find a fix for the MOW issue.
Or she takes long to get to the door? (in which case can set up a 2 way door bell with camera so she can speak to them and tell them she is coming.
With automated systems, all sorts of things can be done (some of which you know , as you are able to monitor by camera). If you are monitoring all the time, you can even get it set up so you are alerted when a doorbell rings and speak to whoever is outside her house.
The people were very, very nice. It only took one call from me to get them to ring the doorbell and either wait, or leave the bag, (but mom preferred to just complain that they were doing a or b.) They said we couldn’t leave a cooler outside due to food poisoning concerns. So I guess they’re not supposed to hang it on the doorknob either. But the volunteers seem to all be senior citizens themselves just doing the best they can.
When it was my grandmother, the mailman saw a 2-3 days worth of meals sitting outside and called for a wellness check(which saved her life). At that time meals on wheels person just let them keep piling up.
Sorry for the long story, but I would call them and say you have cameras and check on her every day, so they don’t need to keep calling the police.
I plan to reach out to the MOW assistant to provide my information and suggestions that I’ve compiled from the forum responses to help with the current delivery challenges. I am so grateful for this community and everyone’s feedback. It’s a Godsend! Thanks again for your input! God Bless.
Is it MOW's responsibility to check up on patients? I hardly think that's doable.
Threatening to turn you in to APS for this is ridiculous.
You may be needing soon to know that living alone isn't going to work, also. This is something to try to think about as you go along.
I sure wish you the best of luck with the delivery service.
I can see if someone lived in a more populated area and there weren't as many volunteers or as you said different people delivering.
The MoW usually have notes about people on that route. ex. slow getting to the door, etc. as you mentioned.
They asked me which door would be easier to get to. Also, the volunteers usually get used to the people on their delivery route.
Speak to your Senior Center or wherever the meals are coming from.