It's a pretty painful and controversial topic. One many people would rather not think about. But it's important to me. And I feel the need to discourse. So here goes:
I met a woman this weekend who has been through a terrible time in her life. She was hospitalized for a debilitating illness, and then sent to a rehabilitation nursing home to recover.
The facility was neither nursing, nor was it a home. And there was no rehabilitation going on. In fact, according to this sweet, appreciative, warm-hearted woman, what she went through was nothing short of terrifying.
She was kept in the dark, unable to open her own curtains to let in light. Though given a call button for emergencies or bathroom assistance, she was told not to use it and ignored if she did. Provided with a phone, she was not allowed to call her family- ever, but especially at night. After being promised twenty-four hour visitation from family and friends, her visitors were summarily booted out of her room after ten-thirty at night.
Now, we've all heard the stories of nursing home abuse. We've seen the commercials for lawyers promising retribution and remuneration for loved ones who suffered in nursing homes from neglect or abuse. Some of us may even know or even love someone who went through it.
But still, Medicare sends patients to these places who have had reported problems, documented problems, in the past, many times without the patients' opinions, desires, or input being sought or considered.
And then they have the gall to say that patients have freedom of choice in their own care.
It touches on a nerve, really, to hear people tell me all that's wrong with the health care system without ever mentioning care for seniors. Aren't they people too? Aren't they even more people, since they've lived longer than the rest of us? So where are their choices?
Resources:
Signs of NHA
Elder Abuse
NCEA- Official
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