The Ombudsman's Report for May 2024 - Easing the Trauma of Moving
By Kathleen Heren, Rhode Island's Long-Term Care Ombudsman 5.2.24
In the past thirty days, the Ombudsman’s office assisted the staff at the Scandinavian home in relocating thirty-eight residents. The decision for the Administration staff to come to was painful. It was either downsizing or closing for good.
The Scandinavian home has always operated in a stellar manner. The residents were treated with dignity and thrived at the facility. When they considered selling the facility, the only bidders were out-of-state buyers. Anyone familiar with long-term care in RI knows the type of poor care that out-of-state corporate buyers have caused. The administration could not bear the thought of the home being mismanaged, so their choice was to downsize.
Regardless, of how organized a discharge plan is, moving is going to impact a resident’s quality of life and could lead to their death. Ombudsman spoke with residents individually and provided a list of all nursing homes in Rhode Island. Residents with their families were asked to select three homes. The ombudsman staff along with the staff at Scandinavian started making calls that would lead to placement. Residents who had roomed together at Scandinavian were given the choice of rooming together in the new facility. Change is a part of life.
Some people can adjust, others like myself, hate it. The stress of being uprooted to a different facility can be particularly traumatic for an elder. Some Elders experience mild transfer trauma while others feel confused anxious which leads to falls and weight loss. The Ombudsman staff will visit the residents for six weeks after their transfer. We will assist any resident in moving to another facility if they are unhappy.
This is a time when families play such an important role in keeping the experience positive. It is certain that many families are angry over having to move their family member but should refrain from saying it in front of the resident. Families should meet with staff in a new facility to share with them information on what the resident likes. For example, some residents do not wish to be called by their first name. In doing so the staff member will start off on the wrong foot. If the resident wants to allow someone to use their first name, they will tell them to.
It will take a little time to get into a routine; nothing is automatic. Families should also make the residents' surroundings familiar as soon as possible. Pictures, afghans, and other personal items promote a sense of well-being.
In closing, I want to recognize the Scandinavian and ombudsman staff for a difficult task well done. Please feel free to contact the ombudsman office if you have any questions at 401-785-3340 or toll-free at 1-888-351-0808.
Kathleen Heren
Rhode Island State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Office of the RI State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
401-785-3340
As the Rhode Island State Long Term Care Ombudsman, Ms. Heren shares her expertise by providing a monthly guest blog to Connelly Law Offices, Ltd in the Ombudsman's Report. In these blogs, she delves into various issues and topics that she encounters in her role. The insights and opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Attorney RJ Connelly III or any of the employees at Connelly Law Offices, Ltd.
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