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I haven't joined the forum for quite some time. Things have been pretty good. However, the turn over of staff is usually the main issue. My mom has been in her MC for over 2 years now. We are on our 8th ADON, and this is a nice, private facility. We are on our 3rd or 4th DON. The nurses and CNA's come and go. It's been in the last few months I had noticed bruising around her wrist. The nurse flat out tells me they restrain my mom because she is being aggressive. I totally understand and sympathize. These weren't big bruises and I know elderly can bruise easier. My mom is not on blood thinners, just low dose aspirin. One nurse might have problems with my mom while another will brag that they don't and they will say it's all in the approach. The staff should be trained to redirect, leave and come back to try again, or even have someone different come in and try later. This particular nurse is "old school" and will keep harping on my mom, "Take your teeth out, you better take your teeth out, you will get an infection in your mouth, etc." This just bristles my mom. The other nurses will skip getting her partial out, have her sit on her cozy chair, put a blanket on, and then will bring the cup to soak her teeth to her, and magically she puts her partial into the cup. See, it's the approach. I understand the CNA's are overworked and short handed almost everyday. Many are pulling doubles. However, this past Wednesday, my mom's left arm was bruised so bad and was swollen. It covered the circumference of her arm. I showed the ADON and she said she'd call my mom's DR. She left and didn't let me know what DR said. Then the next day, the CNA's tell me that ADON is saying that my mom's bruise is from an ER visit from Oct 24th! Also, the one nurse already confessed to making the other bruises, and she must have done this one. No urgency, no concern, and I could tell they were not going to find out how or who for this particular bruise. I mean many CNA's were shocked and appalled by this bruise. It's nasty. This got me so mad that I then went to the Director of the facility to voice my concerns. She was busy so I talked to the Assistant Director. She was appalled. She couldn't believe the photos I was showing her. There's no record of the incident, no record of my mom's behavior in the last month, and they called me Friday to tell me they were going to train the staff to record bruising they see on resident, and to make sure they document behavior. All this was saying to me is they are going to train their staff to protect themselves better. Where was the training of walking away if you get too heated with a resident, to walk away and try again later, or get someone else to try again later? Or to not squeeze the meat out of someone's arm? I checked in with ADON to see if they are finding out who has done this? I told them I was concerned with their lack of investigation and the narrative being pushed that this fresh, swollen, purple bruise was from Oct 24th. Finally the Director said she was put into the loop and will contact the state to do an investigation. I however, had to be the one to name who I thought it was and they would be suspended until investigation. I really felt that was crappy for them to do. We narrowed down the time frame because I had a picture I took of my mom Monday with no bruise on her arm. Someone said they saw it Tuesday morning. That leaves the nurse who already admits to restraining, and the two from 3rd shift. I wonder if the two on 3rd are covering for each other. I've installed a camera since it's legal in IL. I can't stop thinking about it, I'm thinking of moving her but will there really be a better place, and what should I expect from the Illinois Dept of Health this week? Oh, I also emailed the Obudsman Friday evening. Anything else I can do, or should do?

I will only say this to you. We DO bruise at the drop of a hat.
I am 82 and my partner is 84 I speak from experience, some of it recent.
I am on ASA 81 mg only. I took a spill in the sidewalks (which are a crumbling mess in my city) on Saturday.
You would not believe the damage despite my being unhurt. I look like I have been beaten. Those ugly elderberry wine bruises everwhere. Yet I am up and about and all over the place.
And partner is even worse. Now on predaxa and you can't ARGUE with him without him turning into something resembling the purple people eater.

I am a retired RN. I am fully aware that this time comes to us. And I will say, battered as I often look, I am not in any way abused (unless it is by the streets and sidewalk department).

That said, you have felt you need to advocate and you have followed this up. I can't think of anything else you should do. But I would advise you to look carefully at the people when you visit. Note what you see of their skin. I once saw my aged dad reach down between a floor cabinet and the fridge and come up with the skin literally hanging off his arm in a sheet, and the blood pouring off his fingers. That's how fragile it gets, and the vessels beneath it.

You have been there for two years of care of your aunt. There is no perfection in aging care, believe me. But if you feel this is a good facility, the fear would be that they come to the point where they "feel you would be happier somewhere else" (translation: "We don't want you here anymore because we are doing our best and you are trouble")

I am sorry. This is all very difficult. BUT if you were doing care at home and your dear mom bumped herself on the side of the bathroom cabinet you yourself could be looking at some nasty charges from a visiting nurse. So just know that. It seems to me reading your post that you DO know that. Just saying....................
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marcykong Nov 11, 2024
I understand, and I wish I could show you the bruising. It's alarmed her Dr, a social worker, and even the Director of her facility agree something bad went down. A 6 in circumference of her arm, most of the bad bruising on both sides of the arm consistent with a tight grip.
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Your Mom should not be restrained in anyway. If she is getting aggressive, there are meds for that. I agree too, its the approach. I am 75 and always coming up with a bruise I can't account for. But this one does sound bad if arm is swollen. When the Ombudsman calls, the one question I would ask is if the facility is suppose to chart any and all bruising. Yes, the facility should be charting this to mainly protect themselves. They can be fined for not doing thisvif required.

Since Mom does well here and really no other problems, then I would not move her.
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I believe a police report should be filed as well Marcy. Any time negligence or abuse occurs in a managed care setting, I think it's protocol. Do find out.

I'm sorry this has happened to your mom. I hope justice is served bc bruising an elder like this is NOT OK.

Please let us know how this plays out.
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