Problems with some staff at the facility

Mom1946 · July 29

I am new to the forum. I will try not to rattle on. My mom is in the early stages of Alzheimers. She is living in an assisted living facility in our close knit community. Being close knit, I knew most of the workers there and they were friendly, all except for one. We will call her Sara.

When I heard Sara worked there I was a little apprehensive. However, I felt better when I heard a former co-worker we will call Martha, was now Sara's supervisor at the facility. I felt Martha would keep things under control if a problem arose. I was wrong!

Not long after my mom moved in she started having problems with Sara. She said Sara was rude and lazy. As the problems got more frequent and after a rather petty incident, I spoke to the Martha. To my dismay, it went nowhere.

What was the petty incident you ask? The shift Sara was on was to restock towels in the residents rooms. On this particular day the job was not done. My mom asked Sara not once but twice before giving up. She waited until the next shift came in and they happily abliged her, but questioned why first shift had not done it. This led to Sara calling my mom a troublemaker the next morning as she walked passed the nurses desk on the way to breakfast.

After no help from Martha I spoke to the Director. It seemed to help, until Sara took two new employees under her wing. They became a click and now my mom is having trouble with all three!

Since I can't be there all day everyday, Im left wondering how much of it is due to her Alzheimers and how much is them using her symptoms as a copout.

Is it illegal to put a camera in her room?

JulietteBee · July 29

Is she in an assisted living apartment, or is it a room? Is she the only resident in her apartment/room?

Reason I ask, my mom lives in an IL facility, in her own apartment. I am able to install cameras, there just can not be cameras which capture pictures & videos of any shared space. I currently have 2 set up for my mom.

If your mom is in her own apartment, I'd set up a visible Ring camera which will record movements that can be reviewed at your convenience. Instead, you may want to install a hidden camera. They have gotten so small, it is scary.

JeriLynn66 · July 29

Check the facility policies and your State law. Cameras were not permitted where my late FIL resided and also were prohibited by law (somewhat).

harshedbuzz · July 29

@Mom1946

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here, but pleased you found this place.

The legal aspects of in-room cameras, especially covert monitoring, are going to vary a great deal by state and perhaps by the type of facility under which the community is licensed. There are even some states that allow cameras if the facility agrees and the steps are taken to inform staff they are being recorded. I know of some family who occasionally "drop in" on family members using Alexa/Echo which might accomplish what you're looking to do but it a less confrontational manner.

The other piece to consider here is the reality of what is actually going on. I'm not saying your mom is lying or that all who work in these settings are saints, but it's interesting that you had knowledge and an opinion of Sara from previous dealings. Did you work with Sara or attend school with her? Keeping in mind that emotional intelligence remains long into the disease progression, is it possible that your mom somehow internalized your concerns about Sara?

Eliminating the possibility of mom adopting your feelings about Sara for a moment, are you certain your mom is an accurate reporter? Many PWD develop suspicions/paranoia regarding specific individuals that are completely unfounded; I've been on the receiving end of some really wild accusations, so I tend to be skeptical. It's generally suggested here to enquirer about incidents our LOs report starting with the individual to get their side of what transpired for initial complaints about minor things. If you went directly to a supervisor to report a grievance, I could see where some resentment could occur which isn't great.

Given how hard it is to cover shifts in these kinds of facilities post-COVID, I could see where a facility would be reluctant to dismiss staff which means you're stuck. You might want to tour other facilities in the event this doesn't blow over.

HB

harshedbuzz · July 29

https://www.retirementcommunityliving.com/pool-of-states-allowing-cameras-in-assisted-living-residences-expands/

HB

Problems with some staff at the facility

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