Special Care & Aging

In my years of hospice care, I can tell you that this is an important conversation to have with your parents before a crisis occurs.

Be proactive AND insistent in getting a plan in place. Call a family meeting or have an elder law attorney help.

This is SUCH an important conversation. Thank you so much for bringing it here.

David, this is exactly the systemic issue Cheryl is pointing to — and there's an underutilized resource worth knowing about.

The Older Americans Act established the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, staffed by both paid and volunteer advocates. Critically, they work for residents, not facilities. They can address individual resident concerns and pursue systemic facility issues. Complaints feed into state and national trend databases that can drive regulatory action.

As a former Texas ombudsman, I can tell you SNFs were prioritized in caseloads over assisted living, even though both are covered under the OAA. The program is lean, but strategic.

As a first step I recommend looking for the ombudsman contact information typically posted at the facility entrance. Introducing yourself creates a ready partnership for exactly the issues you're describing.

Understaffing explains resource constraints. It doesn't excuse poor care.

Renea Stasaski, BCPA
Sonoran Wayfinders
Advocate's AI Atlas

Thank you for asking such an important, complex question!

Oh gosh, this is such a major problem! And if I knew how to fix it, I would be a wealthy woman! I experience this both as a clinician and as an advocate. A few strategies that are absolutely not fixes:

1. bundle needs as much as possible so there are fewer calls on the call light. I know it's not always possible! If possible, build ADL routines so they're more anticipated/scheduled and more efficient.

2. let the staff know they're appreciated, with words and maybe snacks. Let managers know who is excellent.

3. escalate as needed if/when there are safety concerns

4. aim for non-profit care centers whenever possible

Well, that's a few thoughts to start the conversation.

Cheryl Kauffman, PT, BCPA
Seattle Patient Advocates

Thank you all for responding!

I do a 90 minute virtual review with clients or entire families for 400.00 that includes referrals and assessment of acute needs. If they want me to review documents and develop a medical profile and care plan with resources it is 1500. If they need in person advocacy services and the above, I charge 2500 for initial ten hrs of work then 250/hr for additional hrs. Most of my clients choose the third option as I tend to get very medically complex cases.

I do this as a part of my services and I am happy to take on custom requests.

Thanks for starting the thread, Andrew! We're very glad you're here.

Are there approaches you have taken to help your senior clients be able to interact with their smart devices at all? for example, to confirm appointments via text? What resources do your clients mostly find manageable — if there are any patterns you see? (would love you to edit the post and expand the thought a bit more, if you're game, in hopes of having others join in or learn from your experience!)

Thanks so much for sharing!

This is SUCH a powerful topic. Thank you for bringing it forward here and for sharing your podcast. I look forward to listening to it in the near future.

I can attest that when my husband was in the sub-acute rehab for 60 days, not a single staff member ever said, «Here's your toothbrush and spit cup.» If I wasn't there that day, the teeth didn't get brushed.

That was last year, and he just went through an extraction. UGH!

Shelbey, I've sent several people to your GNA profile recently. Hopefully they turn into business for you.

great article, Shelbey