Originally Posted by Scrap Happy

I agree with you whole heartedly. Not all families are prepared mentally, physically or financially to take care of their loved one and this does not mean they don’t love or care about their loved one. Caregiving is 24/7. Some facilities provide excellent and loving care. If you ever have to look into one try to look beyond the flowers and decore. Also look to see how the staff interacts with the residents. Are the residents smiling, talking and interacting with each other and staff? Or are all of them plopped in front of a TV all day? What kind of activities do they have for the residents? Ask a resident how they enjoy living there. If you place a loved one in a facility visit at different times of the day & night. If you stop by every day at noon to have lunch with your loved one surprise them with a 7 am or 8 pm visit.

Try to remember that it isn’t always the staff taking things. I don’t know about the rest of the country but here in FL if you steal from an elder you go to jail if it's a nickel. There were employees who did steal where I worked and it is hard to figure out who it is (the PD should be notified.) Generally it’s the last one(s) recently hired. It makes me angry that anyone could ever do something so awful to an elder at a time they need love and care the most.

Some residents take things. Alzheimer’s patients do this because like a sweet child they take what they want, they don’t know any better. There are times too where the resident themselves may misplace their things, especially if they have Alzheimer’s (you could find a pair of glasses in the fridge or food hidden.) However, as I mentioned in an earlier post some residents take things when they don’t have Alzheimer’s.

Not all assisted living facilities have employees who steal, it just takes one bad apple.

The honest and loving employees don’t want this happening anymore than the resident or their family.
It shouldn’t be this way but when the family is involved by visiting regularly their loved one sometimes gets better care. They don’t want complaints from family members. If you feel that your loved one is being abused or neglected approach the director/owner/decision maker immediately. Try to get the issue resolved at this level. They may not be aware of the problem an employee or other resident is creating. If this doesn’t help contact your umbudsman (there is no charge for this.) An umbudsman’s job is to protect our elders and they take their job seriously. No facility wants an umbudsman going in but they must allow them access to everything. The exception is to the resident’s medical records (in FL) and if permission is given by the resident or family member (who has power of attorney or guardianship) then they must supply this info too.

One thing to watch for in an Alzheimer’s patient is sudden weight loss, it must be reported to the residents Dr. immediately. Sometimes it means the patient is having a hard time using their eating utensils and the staff can cut their food ahead of time for them in the back (preserving their dignity) or offering them finger foods.

When I worked for an assisted living facility I cared about the residents, their happiness and their health.