If residents in nursing homes do not have family members who visit often, they are most likely to be neglected by the CNA's. My mother is in a nursing home and if I do not visit regularly, her sheets are not changed for days. She also has been known to refuse her baths. CNA's find this a good excuse if they do not want to bother with it. Also, it is stated in her care plan that her cigarettes need to be lit for her because she lights up in the building at times. They are too lazy to go light them for her, so they give her a lighter. Then the licensed nurses complain to me about her smoking in her room. Nothing is done about this because of the problem of finding CNA's in rural areas. Also, the dietary personnel have been informed of her likes and dislikes and certain foods that nauseate her. Tomato soup in on this list. The last two weeks that I have been there during the evening meal, they have sent her a sandwich and TOMATO SOUP! I am a former RN/DON and believe me, an administrator does not want a nurse in their facility that really cares about the care the residents receive because it might dip into their profit margin and cost them their bonus!
Terry Downeyof OK1:39PM April 15, 2009
I have been a patient in 3 understaffed SNFs in California and New Mexico I have experienced many rough CNAs who have harmed me.When I have reported them, a few have played the "race card" stating I hate brown people. These lies go into my records and the administrator won't deal with the issue.Complaints I have made to the ombudsman or health department on neglect or abuse go nowhere. After I call the ombudsman or health department, each facility retaliates against me in ugly ways Oversight is almost nonexistent .
Christina Laurentof NM2:54AM March 26, 2009
What Sarah said is way too common. In Oklahoma the administrators like to put complaints about family members in incident reports without the family knowing. Then when someone starts to cause to much trouble they will turn you in. What is really nice is it is almost impossible for you to see what the administrator put in the report. Oklahoma went a whole year without one administrator getting into serious trouble. What does that tell you.
james kippsof OK1:36PM March 23, 2009
My mom was very elderly and had Alzheimers. When I finally got so abhorred with the treatment she got from a couple of CNA's and I finally complained, 2 of them got together and accused me of hitting my mom and I had to leave (by law). I took a polygraph test the next working day, which I passed. The administrator didn't care, but I was allowed to see my mom again within a week or two because of my attorney.
They will definately find some reason to get rid of a family member (when other members aren't around the area to visit and can't come around.).
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Terry Downey of OK 1:39PM April 15, 2009
Christina Laurent of NM 2:54AM March 26, 2009
james kipps of OK 1:36PM March 23, 2009
sarah of TX 1:53PM March 12, 2009