Elder fraud in Elder Care Facilities

Sister, you go for it! I mean it!. I fully understand what you are saying and in total agreement. I've said it before and I'll say it again to anyone that will listen. Just because you place your loved one in a facility with people who wear nice little uniforms and walk around with stethescopes around their neck, does not and I repeat not mean that they are professionals. You are correct that you "competence and integrity" cannot be regulated. It is innate. You either got it or you don't. All the more reason for close scrutiny. Sad world when we can't trust others to take decent care of our elders. Wonder how they would feel if their mothers or fathers received the same treatment that they dish out.

I have placed Dad in skilled nursing, assisted living, and dementia care facilities. I have hired home caregivers and have done it myself. I have learned over the past five years, that competence and integrity can not be regulated. Dad most recently had a 43 YO insane, HIV positive felon for a room mate in an assited living group home, that was referred to me as a “real Christian home.”

Elder care is a multi billion dollar business and the folks who operate these facilities are for the most part no more than body brokers. I have learned that there is no federal regulation over assisted living or in home care. That’s all regulated at the state level, thus the difference in differing states. However, skilled nursing facilities are governed by Federal guidelines.

I have paid $65.00 per bath, for baths that were never provided in a high end skilled facility and in an assisted living facility. Even with Dr orders, or with private funds, one can not control the number of baths that are given unless you are there to supervise. I discovered that Dad had been showering himself in the high end facility for an entire year, at a cost of over $1,000.00 per month. The CNA’s simply charted that it was done, and no one ever questioned. They rolled him into the shower, turned the water on, and left him to himself, with dementia and only one arm. All he did was sit there. I discovered that one when I had to take him by van to CA for a court hearing. He got wet from the rain while getting in the van, and I was subjected to the worst case of BO anyone ever smelled. It took two showers just to get the heavy fog out of the shower. Of course there was no refund of money when I confronted the DON, even thought the care givers admitted it. They said they thought he could shower himself. HA!

The second place was at Sunrise, another well known facility. I was also charged per shower at that facility. Again the care giver simply charted that showers were provided. No questions. Dad finally presented with stage 2 pressure sores when he told me his butt hurt. I literally pulled his skin off with his under shorts when I tried to check his bottom. It had been documented that Dad had been showered that morning, but the urine had dried multiple times causing an infection that caused his shorts to stick to his butt. I took digital photos of that one, but the director simply came in and removed the memory card from my digital camera while I was tending Dad. Again, no refund, just a nasty letter from the director, telling me “No one likes you, You have no friends here”. And what does my friendship have to do with receiving the care for sheikh I am paying?

I don’t have a lot of good things to say about elder care. I have spent over $10,000 a month on care, only to be defrauded, embezzled, and exploited. The term used by administration is “head to the bed”. This is all about money, not care. The last facility Dad was in hired illegal immigrants, who could not read or write English, therefore could not read a menu or a care plan. Dad was served bread and water for dinner and fried wieners for breakfast. I learned that the food comes from the local food bank, that the sister, who is a minister, operates.

I have just reported to the courts, the misappropriation of federal funds and the immigration issue. and have asked for a court investigator to investigate this last home’s illegal activity. I have complained to the ombudsman, APS, and the Dept of health. I was just informed by the county who runs the ombudsman program, that if they closed down every illegal elder care facility that there would be no where to place the seniors. My response to that is if we cleaned them up, we just might be able to hire legal American citizens who actually cared and bring a level of competence and care to the industry. Perhaps then the care providers would actually receive fair pay for a fair day’s work and the owner’s would not be getting rich off of our parents. The last place Dad was in operates ten homes, grosses over 3 million dollars per year, yet has strategically placed the homes in foreclosure (quit paying the mortgage) so her sister can buy them back at half the price. She hires illegal immigrants at $2.50 per hour, and gets the food from the food bank. Now, I don’t know how you feel about this, but I’m mad. Our elder’s are being used as an illegal profit center, and no one seems to care.

This has taken away five years of my life, my life savings, the majority of my income for the past five years, just to oversee Dad’s care. Elder care is a front for illegal business operations, that includes mortgage fraud, rent scamming, Medicare fraud, slave trade. This doesn’t even touch the surface of the exploitation and fraud to the folks like me who have used our hard earned income to support these fraudulent businesses. The problem is that the folks running these businesses have been defrauding the American public a lot longer than we have been on to them and their unscrupulous activities. I have reported to every conceivable entity only to be told my “allegations are unsubstantiated”.

I am making a video this week with one of the care givers who has agreed to be video taped and tell all. I think it will be very interesting. I intend for my experience to make a difference for others. If I can’t stop it, perhaps I can expose it.

Well, I don't know if one is related to the other. I do know that when you have a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria that close to your breathing aparatus, it can't be wonderful. Unfortunatly, a lot of places overlook the importance of good oral hygeine. They just kind of think that the old farts don't know enough to care anymore (or tell). I see it as a matter of patient comfort (how nasty to sit around with a ycky mouth), safety (the decay/bacteria thing, as well as dignity ( certainly wouldn't want someone to have to look at me with a yucky mouth). I guess in the long run you have to decide what battles you want to pick. Goodness knows I'm sure you have enough of them on your hands.

Bobbie, I'll check into that. I've only heard of one CNA doing his oral care, and she's not always there. Dad only trusts a couple CNAs, and when they keep switching them around, its hard on him. He has been so resistant to care, and combative, that even when they try, he doesn't always comply. They drugged him for aggressive resistance. But he is resisting meds now, and he is more compliant (due to inability to resist), and they are also lowering the dosage of his meds. Late stage Alzheimer's is getting the better of him. Still, he hasn't had a dental check up since January 2008! When they tried, he resisted. Now he has horrid tartar build up. He's also had some respiratory struggles, but it's hard to tell if these are related.

I have never worked in a nursing home. However, I work as a case manager and if my memory serves me correctly, the Medicaid policy regarding bathing in NH facilities was two times per week. The oral care information comes from what I learned transcribing physician orders at a hospital Oral Care Protocol at the hospital which adheres to national standards was oral care q 8 hrs. Oral care is very important from a heal point of view. Poor oral care can lead to things like pneumonia and other infections. Those seniors in nursing homes who still have teeth, need to proper care in order to prevent decay. If they don't want to do it, ask his attending physician if he can write an order for it.

Yes, we need to be vigilant, even in nursing homes. Go often, ask questions, and participate in their care. We have 2 dads in a nursing home presently. They aren't bathed 2x week, and don't get oral care ever 8 hours. I'm wondering where you got that standard? I'm there almost every day, and I've never seen that. They are lucky to have their nails trimmed; usually I do it. Sad :(

Ladies, I am so sorry that you and your loved ones have gone through this. I might be able to help give a little information. First, you need to distinguish between nursing home level of care and assisted living level of care. They are two very different things. Nursing home level of care is a much higher level of care than assisted. Nursing homes should be bathing regularly ( the minimum is usually 2x wk), oral care every 8 hrs, assisting with toileting and personal hygeine, changing briefs as needed, turning pts to prevent bedsores,transferring, assisting with feeding and giving medication ( I think I've got everything). Assisted living, the person usually is independent in most of the areas but needs supervision. They are independent with wanlking/wheeling about, feeding themselvs, etc. The assisted living facility passes medications . If the patient is a Medicaid patient you can contact DMAS in your state. Do not stop complaining! If you do then nothing will get done. My mother also suffered the consequences of poor nursing home care. She was in a nursing home after major abdominal surgery. I live out of state from her and have POA, so I would call every day and speak with the nurses to check status, they'd say she's doing fine. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, when I spoke with Mom, I noticed she was having increased difficulty speaking/breathing and then started telling me that something smells...I spoke to the nurses, again, everything is fine., next thing I know, I'm getting a phone call, she's being transported by ambulance to ER with sepsis, has to undergo major surgery again, (surgoen didn't think she'd make it), ICU,bla bla bla....It's terrible to say but family members need to understand that placement in an institution means a committment to providing an ever watchful eye. Ask to speak with other residents families, talk to the other residents and ask them what they do and don't like about the facility.

beautiful picture !!! i shall learn how to do that and put me and my pa in it too , great wonderful !!
wish you could change the clock and time back and do the right way and things may be alot better . i am learning alot and my dessions to do the right thing ... ( i hope i am doing the right thing ) ,,, hope one day of all things will be returned back to you . ure a sweet heart !

I changed my photo to show off my Dad. I am so proud of him. Isn't he a handsome man? Even in a wheelchair, he still attracts the girls, and....he is a complete gentleman.

I wish I could. If I woulda' known then what I know now, I would have kept Dad in my home. Unfortunately, I've now spent my life savings and refinanced my personal home to finance his care. I truly thought I was doing what was best for him. He only makes $650.00 a month SS with no other retirement benefits. He was a minister and a general contractor. He had cash in the bank which was embezzled by the second wife. I can not support us both on that small amount of income. My mortgage is more than that. Too smart, too late!

dear jander . i am so heartsick of all those things u had to go thru . i just hope one day something good will come at your way . bless your heart for going so much to make sure your father is in good hands ,
i too am worried sick about my father , he is in rehab and soon in few more days i will be bringin himback home .
i threw away my 10 yrs at the same job to stay home and take care of my dad . sometimes i felt i made a mistake doingthat butthen again i knowinmy heart ive done the right thing . dad is like a lit boy . whiney ,,, and he would look at me like im his mom . bless his heart...
i think if i were you i would bring your dad home and get on welfare and have his ss checks go to u !! letthe damn system pay you to take care of your dad .... than eles where ! i have been shavin dad since sept 25 th !! wash his face , changed his clothes that he had wore night before ! my gosh !!! he might just swell come on home .... those cna are young girls and looks like they need to go back to school and learn how to take care of elders better ... drives me insane ! ...
god bless you !

I have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to Dad's care. I spoke with an elder care professional this past week, who verified all that I related to her about Dad's care, to be common knowledge amongst care providers. I have also joined MEAPA, which is a branch of the Area Agency on Aging. involved with Elder abuse. I learned that 'dumping' which is the practice of sending an elder back to the hospital, with out physical issues, is common place for unscrupulous care providers. I was told they most always do the 'dumping' after hours and on week ends, so there is no recourse to the facility, and carry out this process if they do not like the family, do not want to care for the resident, or think the resident is going to die. There is nothing that can be done to stop them, due to the fraudulent documentation on behalf of the facility. I couldn't believe it, they have even named the act.

I had gone to the facility, Hawthorne court in Ahwatukee, and paid for the following months room and board only one day prior to Dad being released from the hospital. He was placed on Hospice while in the hospital; the physician did not think Dad could recover. He suffered congestive heart failure, due to the negligence of the Administrator. I informed her for three days prior to the incident that Dad's leg was swollen to the size of his thigh. She continually informed me (by email) that she checked and it was level one edema, nothing to worry about. I then requested the Dr's phone number (facility doctor) so I could contact him. She refused to provide it to me (per email) and stated that she was the nurse, and she would contact the Dr if she felt it was necessary, and repeated that it was level one edema. I was called the following morning at 4 AM to advise me that Dad's breathing was labored, and that he did not feel good. I drove to the facility to find Dad's face swollen, yellow, and his lips turned purple. He was in congestive heart failure. I called the parametics. Six Liters of water was removed from Dad's lungs in only a few short hours. I was told by this Administrator who was young enough to be my daugher, that I 'needed to lose the attitude', while waiting on the parametics. I informed her that she needed to stay out of my way until Dad was treated and transported to the hospital.

My business has suffered irreversible losses. Without divine intervention I will lose my home of ten years to forecloure next month. My earnings have all but stopped for over the past 4 years, due to this type of repeated elder fraud and negligence and the constant intervention that has been necessary to ensure Dad's care.

I was informed that the ombudsman, has no real authority, that they can only attempt to mediate between the facility and the family. Adult protection is only as good as the investigator, who is usually quite young and inexperienced. The first thing adult protective services and the ombudsman do is talk to staff, review the nursing notes, and talk to the resident who has DEMENTIA! I never know when they are at the facility until after the fact.

Since joining MEAPA, I discovered there is a real disdain for adult children who care for their parents in the world of elder care professionals. I was told by a member that the only children who care for their parents are those who are out of work and do it in order to take all the elders money. Greedy, money hungry kids, we are referred to. I must ask, then why do the facilities care for seniors? Is it not for the money? Are they not a profit center for senior care? Dad and I were sure turned away when our money ran out.

I have called the ombudsman, APS, and the public health department. I have sought legal assistance, but I am told that I stopped the facility before any real harm was done to Dad, and that my case is so complex that it would be impossible to prosecute anyone. What about me? There has been real fianacial hardship caused to me. Does anyone care? Where do we go for help after 5 PM and on week ends, when the corrupt facilities and administrators know there is no recourse and no one to call to report?

I am disheartened to learn that there are corrupt administrators, nurses and care givers that work in elder care and that there is really nothing that can be done to stop this injustice. I feel as if Dad and I have been a toy in the hands of experts, who have enjoyed watching our demise. Dad was the bait, I was the cat. After several months I usually receive a letter that states my "allegations are unsubstantiated" from the Health Department.

Dad is doing fairly well in his current group home, even though he had 3 open pressure sores last week. I am learning to be more devious about reporting. The home believes that the adult day care called APS on them and has counter blamed them. They maintain that he did not have them when they showered him that morning even though I visited him at Adult Day Care that day and found him unshaven, hair not combed and dirty. It had been at least 3 days since he had been shaved, groomed or showered. I've never heard of someone getting stage 2 pressure sores in only a few short hours, but then I had never heard of any of the abuse issues I've dealt with for the past several years either.

My experience should make it easier for the next adult child to step up to the plate, open their bank account and take their time to insure that their parent is treated fairly. I have survived for over 4 years, but it is over for me. I have no where to go, no family left, and after 4 years of caring for Dad, no friends. Where does someone like me go? What am I supposed to do? If I am homeless, there's not much I can do to help Dad anyway.

Sorry, too late, I had to bring Dad to AZ to be near me. His house was in CA. My elder law attorney advised me to place a loan in my name on the home, in order to pay for his care, which I did. The court would not allow me to put my name on the home to secure it. i had to redeed it back to Dad's name only. After the court allowed me to sell the home, it was worth only 1/3 of it's original value. After paying off the loan, Dad netted $10,000 which had to be placed in his trust account, due to the conservatorship. $10,000 paid an extra month of care. I could not receive anything for caring for him in my home without court approval.

Thank God you got most of the money back! Laws vary about caregivers keeping the home, but an estate attorney should be contacted to see it this can be done. A lot depends on the will and if they are on Medicaid, which in this case isn't likely.

Take care,
Carol

This is a sorry story, very close to mine. We paid $213,000. for "Lifecare". After 3 months they say they didn't realize mom had such bad dementia. They are however refunding all but 2% of the money. If your dad still has a home in his name you can live their and care for him and the house could be transferred to you.As long as you are their for at least 2 years. There are caretaker children who keep their parents out of nursing homes and when the passes,the house should go to you. Contact an eldercare attorney.

This is so disheartening it makes me ill. You are right. If they do this when you are there, what do they do when no one is around? I know you are doing everything you can. We're behind you in our hearts.
Carol

Thanks, I have done that before placing Dad anywhere. The problem is that you don't get to choose your care giver. I have seen some really good ones that are compassionate, but after admission, they change caregivers, you don't get the care giver you met prior to admission. I usually get a male due to Dad's size and the fact that he can not stand to transfer, which does complicate things. I just left the group home that Dad is in. The owner's moved out of the home two weeks after I placed Dad there. On todays visit, a female resident fell out of her reclining chair three times, she kept yelling, and the care giver came over and cupped his hand over her mouth to shut her up. I went to find him when she started to fall again and he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Another female resident was playing Dominoes with Dad. The care giver told her to hurry up with her drink. She stated she wasn't finished, but the care giver tried to take it anyway. She picked it up and moved it away from him. He walked around the table to get it, and she moved it back. He looked at her sternly and said "You crazy!" I spoke to one of the resident's husband and he said he had made several complaints to the owner, and the owner told him he was prejudice. It has been my experience that when families complain the facilities usually try to put up a smoke screen by blaming us for the problem. For me, it's been accussed of being abusive, for him, it's being prejudice. Without laws to change the elder care environment, I'm afraid this is jus the way it's gonna be. Wow, I wonder how loving they are when no one is there.

I am really sorry that you have had a bad time finding a nursing home for your dad. I am a nurse that work in a nursing hame and have so for many years. There have been some that the people that work there have no compasion for the ones they are taking care of. There are also ones that are goos. I work in one that have some really good people in it that help the resd. with a bed bath everyday this including brushing teeth shaving and so on. To find a good home you need to go and check the place out freq. before you palce your dad in there. Good luck.














there

Thank you. If we can't die with dignity and the respect of the younger generation, what has all the wars been about? Why not just roll over and play dead? This is an issue that everyone needs to be concerned with. After all, we will be in our parent's shoes some day. With the current generational changes, our children usually live away from us, they are busy with their careers. We will all need someone to watch over our finances, and our personal lives. We need laws to protect us, and to be assured that our care takers are not abusing and exploiting our families who are trying their best. I never want to see another elder suffer the same fate as my Dad, and I certainly do not want my children to suffer the same financial losses and emotional suffering as me, just to try to see that my needs are met. This is a national crises.

As painful as it may be to recall, I am inspired and ready to put my experiences in writing and do my part to advocate dignity, independence and quality care for the elderly. God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN, and the wisdom to know the difference. I am not so sure how to navigate the political path, but I’ll learn along the way. Thank you Jander and best wishes to you and your Dad. Keep in touch.

Good advice neonwocky. You're a smart lady!

Jander is stepping up to the plate lets help her we can do the same thing in our state Are we ready NO we will learn along the way

Come on people do not be afraid to stand up for this and get involved, i bet everyone of us has had a gradfather, Uncle Husband son fight in some war to maintain our Freedom this needs to be done, we most of us are products of the sixties, we couldn't get it done then we were to inexperienced and young but by golly we can do it now, contact the white house inundated them with comments about aging care, contact your sentators thats what they get paid for they make a lot more than we do let them do something besides lunch. We have to get this going in every state let us join together, lets make this not just a website to vent and learn but lets take what we learn and carry it as far as we can my next step if I hear from them and if I don't they will get three posts a day until they realize I'm not going away. I am as passionate about this as I am for our abused children and menotoring our young who need it If I can find the time you can find the time It is time for us to Unite. Let me hear from you flood my box with your respnses Neon keep that light shining

I want to thank all of you for your compassion and concern. I have been through hell with this and have searched high and low for answers.

I made the decision first of all to write a book based on my experiences in the elder care community and second to find a way that my experience can make a difference for those who follow in my path.

I joined an organization in Phoenix called MEAPA, which is an organization that promotes public awareness, education, and community outreach for the prevention of Elder Abuse and Late-Life Domestic. It is through the omdudsman's office. I was shocked to find two of the heads of the executive committe were from service providers that had caused Dad and I horrific pain, and one that refused to refund our deposit after they gave me notice to remove him, stole the food I brought in and refused to care for him.

I sat and listened as these professionals put down home care givers, and stated that home care givers only took care of Mom and Dad to get their SS check. I was appalled, but held my tongue. There is a push to license non-medical care givers by 2011. These are the folks that are going to the legistature to make sure this does not happen, stating that the additional fees connected with licensure will shut them down. Those of us who are consumers, are not even aware of such changes. They want to keep us in the dark, with our mouths and eyes shut. This is a multi-billion dollar business.

I beleive this is where I am supposed to be. I also believe that I have experienced this abuse so I can make a difference for others. I see a lot of work ahead, but I am on the inside, and will show up at the legistative meetings to make sure our voices are heard.

I need support, I need suggestions. I would like to start a website like this one for AZ, and to keep folks informed of legislative changes, so our voices can be heard. We are not money hungry, grabbing kids, we have spent our funds, and our time trying to give our parents a quality of life, only to find that the homes we chose for our parents, had no respect for us or for our roles as caregivers.

There is much work to be done, but I am sticking in there. I will be the consumers voice, and I will share all that I learn. Hopefully we will begin to understand each other, but if not, at least we will know why we are being abused, and have a voice at the state level on the care our parents receive.

I was shocked to find I was the only consumer on the committee. Every one else was in a position of financial gain in the elder care community. My voice will be heard, and consumers will know who the abuser is, and will be able to speak to someone who can make a difference. This is, in my opinion, as important as civil rights. I appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts.

You're never illiterate, Neon! Type away! I hope the finger gets better soon.
Carol

gosh with this broken finger my typing isn't what it used to be maybe they will all think I'm illiterate Muhwhahah think again

did yu send comments to whitr house and your senators anyone? Mr. Obama says its time for change so lets hold him to it !!!

Thank you for sharing. This is not a one time situation. It happens all over and we as the adult child just get plain worn out. I just came from an advocacy meeting with the ombudsmans office. I was the only consumer in attendance. They know there are no teeth in any regulations, and those that are in place get covered up by those in charge. Those in attendance today acted like I was crazy, they had placed their folks in nursing homes and thought it was great. I wonder how Dad would get treated if I was the supervisor for the ombudsman's program or director of public health. it's a much different picture when you are Ms. Nobody, and your Dad is Mr. Hascash but can't remember. Change must come to this unregulated industry and quick.

Dear Jander,
You have stirred a lot of emotions and memories that I wish I could forget. I too have seen the system at its worst. Until people come together and expose the fraud, manipulation, and lack of care, we will not see change.

When my Mom was 63 she had a seizure and was hospitalized. Her doctor recommended skilled nursing home care for her recovery and rehabilitation. She ended up in long-term institutional care over-medicated.

When I took over as health care surrogate, Mom was in a drug-induced coma and unresponsive. She was transported to South Florida so that I could manage her care. She spent over six months in a nursing home, a hospital and an acute care rehabilitation center. Her neurologist weaned her from all the medications and she was discharged to an assisted living facility. Despite continued outpatient therapy Mom was never able to walk again.

A year later, she had a seizure and was placed on a ventilator and then passed down the line. I fought so hard for the doctors to reduce her meds and wean her from the vent. She progressed and was so close to being decanulated. During capping trials, her nurse left the room and she was alone. Choking caused her to go into cardiac arrest. She survived, but with severe brain damage.

In the last couple years of her life she was placed in eleven different facilities due to medical setbacks, various levels of care, and the inequities of our healthcare system. It was impossible to manage her care at so many difference facilities and with so many different doctors. The “vent unit” in nursing homes is absolutely the worst!!!!!!

When Mom passed away, I felt like I was coming home from war. I had to fight so hard every day just to have her basic needs met, let alone to get the attention she needed to try to save her life. I saw so many inequities and so much neglect. I began documenting everything and writing letters, however, I didn’t get anywhere. I have three small children and could not continue to fight. I needed a break or I would break!

Public awareness and political pressure is what is necessary. Maybe you should call Michael Moore and ask him to do a documentary. I’ll share my story and my documentation. My heart goes out to you. With every person I help, I heal.

Please find someone in your office to take the time and read the posts on www.agingcare.com. There are so many caregivers my age (60) that need help with the elderly and the assisted living faciities and Nursing homes seem to not train people right hire people who just want a paycheck or are just getting paid to house the elderly. We our generation want respext for what e=we are doing for our parents and the same when our time comes. You will have to have that person create an account but it will be the most information you will get that is truly honest. Please pay special attention to Jander's plight and I suggestted that all users on this site with an issue contact their senetor as well We will not be quiet any longer. Thank you and please let me know what you and your committees plan to do about this terrible condition in the land of the free. Thank you Cheryl Hicks

This is what I sent to my senator