Question:
In the past couple of weeks, I have heard reports of two elderly
diabetes patients (one in a rehab center, the other in an assisted care
facility), who complained that they were given foods or combinations of
foods that were not on their diabetes diets. In both cases, the
facilities had been informed that the patients were diabetic and were to
receive a diabetic diet.
Has anybody else encountered this sort of thing? Certainly, facilities
providing nursing care SHOULD be required to have certified dietitians,
and part of that certification SHOULD include familiarity with various
types of restricted diets (type I and type II diabetes, low salt, low
saturated fat and cholesterol, etc.), but I have no idea whether this is
the case.
What concerns me, in particular, is that some of the patients in these
facilities are suffering from mental deterioration which makes it
impossible for them to monitor their own diets. So if the facility does
not adhere to the diet, they have no protection at all (except when
family members happen to be present at mealtime).
Answer:
Definitely, what you describe is an abuse of power. Not regarding the
condition of the patient, these homes care nothing but for the almighty
dollar. I believe though in assisted living it is different. My
stepfather is in one and he dietician has his meal plan for him. He has
a bad heart and other sundry conditions. To be in assisted living,
Ibelieve you have to be able to take care of yourself. They are there
to make sure you take your medications and they have meals together and
activities. But I believe you have to be in your full capacity.
Nursing homes are noted for their abuse of patients. Not the homes, but
the employees. It is very important that a family member be on top of
things, or the patient will fall by the wayside. If they are not
following the patients diet, they need to be reported to the government
agency that oversees them. Most of them get their money from Medicare
so that family or the patient if he or she has his faculties, should
report the abuse to Medicare who probably funds them.
If I get of an age where I cannot really take care of all my needs, I
hope I will be able to afford assisted living which can be quite
expensive. But I would rather die than be in those hell holes they call
nursing homes. I have a daughter but the nursing home before living
with her, not that she is inviting me. She is a wonderful girl, but I
cant go from being the mother to being the child and her being boss./
