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While the Agency for Health Care Administration is the state agency charged with the responsibility of monitoring nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida, other states have similar agencies. These agencies assure facilities are in compliance with rules and regulations and that the residents are well cared for. The agencies routinely inspect for an extensive list of specific detailed violations from the very serious to much lesser infractions. For example, is your toast not hot enough to melt butter? The agencies care and they're thorough. The consequences for a facility's failure to comply can be immediate closure.
If you have struggled overlong with your loved one's care providers to resolve issues about his or her quality of care, such as those related to patient rights, patient care, safety, infection control, medication use and security, it may be time for a more decisive action. Feel like a meddling pest? Don't. It's their job. And if they don't do their job, contact the agency in your state. For more information about your state, check the State Resource Directory on Elder Abuse Prevention at the National Center on Elder Abuse website. Here you will find information for each state on government agencies, state laws, state-specific data and statistics, as well as statewide resources. Or check for hotline numbers in your state at Elder Abuse Helplines and Hotlines.
Write a letter or phone in an anonymous report to your state representative. Or if you don't want to go that far yet, mention your state's health care agency in a letter like I did. Then sit back and wait. But not too long.
Letter to Happy Home Assisted Living: This letter worked for me. Perhaps a similar one can work for you.
Re: Spitting Man
Dear Happy Homes CEO:
fully aware of his actions since he does not conduct himself in this manner when dining with friends and family, orI speak for residents at Happy Home Assisted Living who believe it is not their privilege, but their right to reside in caring, healthy, sanitary conditions. For many months their daily lives have been consistently disrupted, if not violated by one resident's rude, inconsiderate and perhaps mental deficiencies that act out in hacking and spitting profusely on the floor in the hallways, sitting areas, outside residents' private rooms, and on and around the dining tables at mealtime. He even toys with his spittle pouring it back and forth from cup to cup while people are dining. This man is when he knows he is being watched. Stand back on the sidelines and you too will be sickened by his abhorrent behavior.
This situation has been brought to the attention of those in charge on several occasions. It is now time to consider the wellbeing of the many above the preferences of one abusive man and his family. I am certain that this matter will be resolved immediately in house, before someone seeks advice of Happy Home's corporate authorities or the Agency for Health Care Administration.
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