Your story highlights a for-profit referral service that is corrupt because it is … that’s right … for profit! So buyer beware.
In my recent career (now retired) as a psychologist treating many elders, I had to know about local agencies and services to avoid just the kinds of problems you report.
Assisted living and other care facilities do get oversight. In WA State, there is lots of public information and guidance offered by the Department of Social and Health Services. See this site, for instance:
In addition, you can look up your immediate area. A quick search found the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities in Southwest Washington. Digging into that directory or contacting them would find relevant information and resources.
I believe every state has laws about elder abuse and neglect. Certainly ours does, and enforcement is taken seriously. I was a mandated reporter and as such had to report to adult protective services if there was suspected abuse or neglect, including financial abuse.
In one of the comments below, Irene writes that frequent visits are necessary to ensure quality care. I agree. Janet and I had difficulties with assisted living facilities for her parents in California that we only discovered during such visits. With low-paid staff in for-profit facilities, you need to keep an eye on them, and the response may not be adequate. We wonder what our fate will be if either or both of us needs residential care, since we don’t have local family to provide such oversight.
I tried to open the Washington Post article on Assisted Living but I ended up subscribing to read it. I used A Place for Mom when looking for my uncle. I read their customer reviews. I reviewed the State complaint reports for any facility considered. I looked at the Washington regs that you sent to me. I found the Washington State Residential Compliant Investigator to be pro-active. Still, my experience is frequent visits are absolutely necessary. Thanks for drawing attention to this problem
Yes, hypertension meds DO cause falls as the elderly tend to have undiagnosed (and sub-clinical) chronic renal failure, reducing the clearance of the meds. One remedy - always take your BP meds before going to bed - you will have more time to allow those meds to absorb and have a lower risk of sudden orthostatic hypotension (fainting and falling). And always sit on the side of the bed for 15 or so seconds before standing. Also, falls are a leading cause of the initiation of a terminal trajectory for the elderly - hip fractures, head injuries, etc. Something like 80% of “hip fracture due to a fall” patients go on to die within 6 months. Thanks for publishing this finding!
Hi Alan,
Your story highlights a for-profit referral service that is corrupt because it is … that’s right … for profit! So buyer beware.
In my recent career (now retired) as a psychologist treating many elders, I had to know about local agencies and services to avoid just the kinds of problems you report.
Assisted living and other care facilities do get oversight. In WA State, there is lots of public information and guidance offered by the Department of Social and Health Services. See this site, for instance:
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/residential-care-services/long-term-care-residential-options
In addition, you can look up your immediate area. A quick search found the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities in Southwest Washington. Digging into that directory or contacting them would find relevant information and resources.
https://www.helpingelders.org/
I believe every state has laws about elder abuse and neglect. Certainly ours does, and enforcement is taken seriously. I was a mandated reporter and as such had to report to adult protective services if there was suspected abuse or neglect, including financial abuse.
In one of the comments below, Irene writes that frequent visits are necessary to ensure quality care. I agree. Janet and I had difficulties with assisted living facilities for her parents in California that we only discovered during such visits. With low-paid staff in for-profit facilities, you need to keep an eye on them, and the response may not be adequate. We wonder what our fate will be if either or both of us needs residential care, since we don’t have local family to provide such oversight.
I tried to open the Washington Post article on Assisted Living but I ended up subscribing to read it. I used A Place for Mom when looking for my uncle. I read their customer reviews. I reviewed the State complaint reports for any facility considered. I looked at the Washington regs that you sent to me. I found the Washington State Residential Compliant Investigator to be pro-active. Still, my experience is frequent visits are absolutely necessary. Thanks for drawing attention to this problem
Thank you. This is Important information that need to be public!
Done!✅
Yes, hypertension meds DO cause falls as the elderly tend to have undiagnosed (and sub-clinical) chronic renal failure, reducing the clearance of the meds. One remedy - always take your BP meds before going to bed - you will have more time to allow those meds to absorb and have a lower risk of sudden orthostatic hypotension (fainting and falling). And always sit on the side of the bed for 15 or so seconds before standing. Also, falls are a leading cause of the initiation of a terminal trajectory for the elderly - hip fractures, head injuries, etc. Something like 80% of “hip fracture due to a fall” patients go on to die within 6 months. Thanks for publishing this finding!
Great advice - thank you. Medicine at bedtime!