Extra Eyes Available
Life is good once again. I am blessed to be reunited with my husband because of CMS directives regarding compassionate care. Known to be a model in long-term and rehabilitative care, they are and have been proactive in safety and protective measures while putting the residents needs as their highest priority. The first in our area, when these directives were released on a Friday, by Monday administration had plans in place to implement scheduled visitation. Even in these crazy times, they continue to be transparent, communicative while providing exemplary care. I am grateful beyond words.
However, I feel compelled to post for those who are not so fortunate. Many of you know me well enough by now, you can expect where there is need, I’m apt to extend beyond comfortable boundaries. Taking your calls and messages in short order, I have come to realize that there are homes out there, failing to do what’s best for your loved ones. I find myself giving similar advice on repeated occasions.
Echoed personal experiences shared with me, recount administrators, facility social workers and low-level management continually changing verbal reports of condition to those on the outside to fit narratives of convenience. While it is not safely prudent to fully reopen these homes, I was dismayed to hear of facilities as recent as last week, only allowing window visits. Monitoring the need for compassionate care interaction is nearly impossible based only upon facility management to determine mental fatigue, emotional failure while trusting they are forthright in disclosing physical deterioration such as notable weight loss.
My instinctive reaction, along with recommendation to contacting the local long-term care ombudsman, is to instruct them to place a camera in the resident’s room. Changes of physical behaviors are usually easily recognizable by the individuals who have lived with a person for many years. Surprisingly, not one person I spoke to, knew it is their lawful right to employ these recording devices. Although not meant for replacing the physical presence of loved ones, these cameras provide peace of mind for both parties.
Made into law January 1, 2019, I have a very personal connection to Kansas HB 2232. Originally introduced into sub-committee by Susan Wagle in 2016, the bill finally met success in 2018 after a great deal of push back (not from those with the interest of the resident at heart). So actually, I guess it is no surprise individuals are not being told about their right to these ‘third set of eyes’.
The CEO of our long-term facility stated it perfectly. “We have cameras everywhere because we want to make sure everyone is doing everything right. The footage actually protects us, just as much as it protects the residents.”
Of course, these recording devices come with certain responsibilities and obvious disclosures. But in the current situation of those with limited or no access to their loved ones, these tools could be a game changer for some. Cameras can give family members a better insight to the condition of their relative.
Protecting the vulnerable continues to be a priority. Until the day we are all fully reunited, we must work together insuring the welfare of not only the physical, but the well-being of the emotional too. Hopefully, this bit of advice will help.