My relative has been in Memory Care since April 10. Initially, my family and I were told there would be a meeting with us after he had been there one month, but it hasn’t been mentioned yet. I plan to ask about a meeting, but I want to know what to expect first. How often should the staff meet with the family? What should we ask about? What are they obligated to tell us? What does a care plan include?
There was a Nurse to represent the floor or wing she was in
also a pharmacist
PT and OT
Food service and nutrition
Activities Director or a rep.
The AL (mom still lives) also does a review every 90 days, but unless there is a change in care needs or health they don't have a meeting. While dad was still in AL they upped his level of care for about 90 days as he was having more problems - and the director and I did review what was happening with him and their plans if he didn't improve. After the ninety days he was doing better and put him back to the basic level.
Since dad died before COVID pandemic - I'm not sure whether some of the meetings went away as other agenda items took precedence like trying to keep COVID out of the facility and then to mitigate it once it made its appearance. I would definitely check back with management to see when the meeting will occur.
I think a meeting like this would be incredibly helpful to all concerned and I am going to raise the issue with the manager today.
Since she lived with us for a year and a half before moving to the facility I think I could give some information that may help them. Not at all sure why this has never been offered, since she was in there for a couple months before the Covid thing became epic. Maybe that is the reason, but I am going to ask.
A care plan is just that, a plan to let you know what will be done for your loved one.
Unless you see something that would require more care then what's being done, I would just call for a meeting to see about the Care Plan once a year.
As far as an update on how the loved one is doing, you should be visiting and you will see for yourself, first hand.
I find people in Institutions are treated better when they know that the patient gets regular visitors.
Most places are under staffed and they if they have anyone that requires extra work like always asking for something, ect they will ask to Medicate the love one, which the reason will be to make it easier on the staff but they'll not tell you that.
Most Seniors are over medicated.
Best thing is VISIT at different days and times, so they never know when you're coming, that way you can see fir yourself if your LO is left in soiled bedding or soiled clothes, ect.
If it were my LO, I would have a camera installed in the room to see how the aids really treat your LO when they think no one is watching.
We had to put her in a "Care Facility", she had alzheimers/dementia, macular degeneration. We "flew by the seat of our pants" through the whole time she was there. We did the best we could for her. If I have to put my husband in a facility (and I will have to at some point) I will be watching every day! Hindsight 20/20 now! God bless you all!
Details on how often and what reviews would entail is really a question you need to ask the administration at the facility. What would be covered in the review should be something they might be able to answer, but more likely it would be the nurse overseeing the MC unit.
Someone else said they have plan meetings every month. That seems like a bit of overkill, unless the person was in the final days, weeks, months of life. My mother's facility did them at about 6 months. I'm sure if something changed drastically they would have met with me sooner, or at least called (virus eliminated most access.) They had a check list for abilities and needs and a space for additional comments. Unless a person is regressing quickly, 6 months should be sufficient.
Each place will have their own way of doing this, so you will need to contact admin or at least the head nurse of MC.
"Your mother tries to participate in her therapy sessions". Oh yeah, then why did Hell Med and Insecure Horizons stop all therapy because she wasn't making any progress?
They scheduled the care plan meetings, but would not reschedule if the time was not convenient for the family.
They are basically just going thru the motions to satisfy some state regulations.
Search for care plan with the magnifying glass in the upper right corner. I tried to cut and paste but for some reason that has not been working for me.