Beware of Foster Homes

Under penalty of Federal law (modified to add more penalties as of April 2003), Care providers cannot reveal any information about patients / former patients up to and including confirming where the patient resides unless permission is given by the family.   In Robert's case, no permission was given to any facility to reveal any information.

For a short time, Robert was in a foster home. During that time,  his privacy was not respected.The home owner openly discussed his condition and disclosed his location without permission (against Federal Patient Privacy laws).  The owner admitted this in a letter.

Requests to omit disruptive subjects were ignored by home owner and caregivers thus keeping Robert in constant state of upset that required additional medical procedures. Putting him through these minor surgical procedures could have been avoided if my requests were honored.

In addition, his bedside was not kept clear during the 11:00 pm to 7:00 am time frame. One side of the bed was against the wall and the other blocked with items (ie, wheel chair, 4-wheeled walker, commode) in effort to keep him from getting up during the night (most men his age have to use the restroom). One night, he fell over these items breaking his hip.

His medication was another problem.  Upon Robert’s release from hospital (before entering this Foster Home), his medications were adjusted; however,  the Foster Home did not check the hospital release documents I provided nor did they check with the doctor.   This was confirmed in letter from owner of family home.

In Robert’s case,  a blood thinner was discontinued by the doctor upon release from the hospital; however, the Foster Home  continued to give it to him.  So when he broke his hip, the surgery was more risky. Another prescription problem arose when the foster home kept ordering a "take as needed" prescription. When I finally got a bill from the pharmacy, he had 3 brand new bottles plus the original one I gave to them. The frosting on this is that he had a reaction to this medication.

One day I arrived to find him sitting in a wheel chair at a table with his forehead resting on the table - he was so tired he couldn’t hold his head up. There was a recliner in his room. 

The caregiver was sitting on the patio smoking.  I was told they were “trying to build up his strength”.

Food offered should be examined carefully. Although meals are included in fees, Robert was unable to eat items served (fried foods like bacon, frozen dinner type of items like tater tots and fish sticks) as he had a swallowing problem. There was no offer to accommodate his needs so I provided his food and prepared it.

Another problem arose when a resident (not a documented food handler) was allowed to cook for other residents. Robert was given a peanut butter sandwich (he was allergic to peanuts and had a swallowing problem).

Robert had a fear of dogs.  Large dogs (more than 100 lbs) ran through the patient living area on several occasions.