Mom is in Assisted Living. I live in Michigan and with our state's current COVID rules, they are now saying that all visits have to be monitored by a staff member. As POA can I insist on meeting privately? I don't feel like discussing her health or financial affairs in front of a staff member to be appropriate? What are my and mom's rights in this case?
Talk to the administrator about the level of privacy you need for this conversation.
It seems to me that the staff member could be on the other side of a windowed door.
Again, I have never heard of a facility that monitors all visits with all visitors? Can you tell us more about the facilities rules?
I think you need to carefully check the wording of your State's most recent guidance to NH staff so you know what it actually says, some of this is mandated and has to be followed but some could be open to interpretation.
I'm sure the monitor at your mom's place would be doing a similar thing. They care about keeping the distance and the masks on, not overhearing conversations.
Hopefully this will be changed soon as more vaccines are given and the virus is better managed.
When more personal information needs to be discussed perhaps it should be shared over the phone when your mother is alone.
If there is something she needs to sign, discuss it on the phone first and then mark it for her where she needs to sign. You could also write her a note to read and hand back to you. Also a bother but perhaps necessary.
This reminded me of visiting a family member in a mental hospital. The patient had to be visited in a common area so that the visit could be monitored.
It was uncomfortable but those were the rules.
I am glad you are able to visit her.
You need to scroll down to "3. Visitation". I see nothing saying that a Staff member has to be present during visitations. It just says that masks and social distancing need to maintained and that the facility needs to explain this to those entering the facility. If visitors don't comply, they can be asked to leave.
So, from what I "scanned" a staff member will not be sitting there listening to all you say. I doubt if an AL has enough staff to sit with every resident and visitor. They have jobs to do. But they may be given the responsibility to tell those not complying that they need to
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-553388--,00.html
If you feel like your rights are violated, you can call the omsbudsman and they can work on your behalf to get privacy.
I would do it quick though. Since ppl and businesses at least in my area are not following rules and the overcapacity and her 3 "metrics" are going in the wrong direction in addition to the potential criminal charges against her, I am betting she shuts thing down right after spring break. I haven't been wrong yet, she is predictable.