Resident Rights

Some of the examples I have seen of resident right violations include; Residents being called sweetie, honey, babe, love. Residents have names and should be addressed by what they prefer to be called. Usually Mr. or Mrs. followed by their last name is appropriate. Residents should only be addressed by their first names if one is given permission to do so. Asking an individual how they prefer to be addressed establishes respect and provides dignity to the person. So many times residents have come to live in an assisted living because they have lost the ability to perform activities of daily living independently. Demonstrating kindness and respect only requires a bit of effort and time yet validates the individuals self worth and sense of dignity.

Resident Rights

I am simply baffled at some of the things I see. Last week I came across an incident that I would think automatically would be viewed as a violation of resident rights and yet the situation was not handled with that level of urgency. In no situation would it be acceptable to refuse a resident breakfast for being 5 minutes late of the appointed meal time. An assisted living center is home to vulnerable adults and no one should be allowed the power to decide if a resident will or will not be served a meal because they are 5 minutes late. Hopefully the ombudsman will be in that facility next week to help establish a resident council and do some teaching on resident rights. Facilities that have active resident councils are better informed of resident rights and are more likely to engage the services of an appointed ombudsman.

For anyone who is not aware of what an ombudsman does, they are volunteers that go into facilities to assist residents in exercising their rights. They often will lend a voice to the resident's concern, or assist a resident in obtaining a service they need, or negotiate when there is a dispute. The ombudsman program for Washington State provides training for ombudsman and we are so fortunate to have as many as we do.

Time to answer the door.

Last week I was in an assisted living facility and observed a resident knocking on a door to get the attention of staff. There were three staff in the room behind the closed door, but no one would open the door to see what this lady needed. This is the office that the residents are instructed to go to when they need assistance. Staff failing to answer the knocks on the door is a violation of resident rights. Finally a staff member did open the door and assist this lady. Fortunately we don't see that happen too often.

Sad Time

We've had a loss in our family. My older brother passed away last Saturday from pneumonia, he was 66. He will be greatly missed by his family.