I started writing this a little over a year ago. At the time I was angry at DR. Larry Joe Russell and Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I was convinced, and still am that they had something to do with my mothers unexpected passing.
I am no longer focused on Dr. Larry Joe Russell, or Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. After researching the NCDHHS survey results, I am trying to change the system. The regulators are not regulating. Either the NCDHHS is unable to enforce their own regulations, or they are powerless to do so.
In the past two years I have filed a complaint with the NCDHHS, the agency that regulates nursing homes. They supposedly did an investigation of Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, and found no deficiencies. This prompted a meeting with the Western regional director of NCDHHS. Even after presenting her with medical records, that substantiated our complaints, they still found nothing wrong. They went as far as doing a review of their initial investigation. They still found no reason to substantiate my complaint, even with written proof. The summary of their review was written by a Dr. in Raleigh. He had to write the letter three times. The first draft had Mom dying the night she fell, she did not. The second says that Dr. Russell saw her the morning after the fall, he did not. It goes on to say that if Mom pulled off her personal alarm, it was her fault. The third report had the details and dates correct, but still found no reason to substantiate the complaint.
The problem is not DR. Larry Joe Russell or Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. It goes much deeper than that. The problem is the laws and the way they protect the owners of these places, and Doctors with no morals, like Dr. Larry Joe Russell. There are plenty of doctors, willing to take the money from wherever it comes from. The lives of the patients are just the price paid for substandard care. It happens every where, in almost every home in every State in the Country.
Don't get me wrong, nothing would make me happier than seeing Dr. Larry Joe Russell answer for the lives that he could have saved, just by seeing his so called patients. Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation should have answer to all the families that have been hurt by their lack of care.
It all has to start somewhere, the only records I have are from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, and Dr. Larry Joe Russell. That is why I have focused on them. As I have said before, I have nothing to gain from this. The statute of limitations on a law suit are long past. I am trying to make a difference.
There are people dying needlessly at homes everywhere. The reason for this blog is to try and make sure that these people are allowed to live the end of their lives with some dignity. These are our parents, and grandparents. They have worked all their lives, just to be left lying in their own waste, hungry and lonely. The owners of these places are smart, they know when you are going to visit. They make sure there are plenty of staff during the day, right up until you go home.
They make these places look like resorts on the outside. Look closely, when you go inside, the reality is there if you look for it. They take advantage of the fact that the person you are trusting to their care, cant be cared for at home. They don't want you to worry about anything. So they advertise how their passion makes a difference. How they care for their patients like their own family. Look around, they are liars. They are taking record profits from their ownership, with little to no liability. They make their money, by not having the staff to provide even basic care. Talk to a nurse or cna, that works in one of these places, they are always short of help. The good employees, leave, and look for something better. The rest, just take their paychecks. They resent the patients, because they are the cause of their being overworked. They are afraid to say anything because they will get fired, and no one else will hire them.
I have spoken to several of these people. They will answer ads, and talk on the phone. They will tell you how bad the patients are treated, and how lives could be saved. Ask them to help, and that's the last conversation you will ever have with them. I have spoken to relatives of patients that have been abused and overbilled. They will tell you specific things that happened, until you ask them to do something about it. As long as they can stay anonymous they will tell the stories.
The people who die in these places are not anonymous, they have names. Patricia Ackerman Lytle, that is my mothers name. They all have families, that have no clue how badly they are being treated, I know we didn't. Or they don't want to get involved. I didn't choose to get involved either, but if I quit trying, I will not be able to sleep at night. I could use any help I can get. Do you sleep at night?
Please, get involved.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Do you know who your doctor is ??
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Jennifer Thomas, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, Gail Maloney RN and NCDHHS.
November 2011, was a month of learning for me. As my suspicions grew, I tried to gather as much information as I could. The first place I went was to the Henderson County EMS. They were more than happy to provide me with the call sheet from the morning Mom died. The times on the EMS report did not match the times I was given by Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. The report shows that cpr was preformed for fifty minutes, with never any heartbeat. There is a copy of the ekg and it is a flat line from start to finish. I did some research, and after six minutes without a heartbeat or breath, a person is dead. The nurses own report says that Mom was unresponsive for ten to fifteen minutes before cpr.
I walked from the ems building to Pardee hospital. I went into the emergency room and ended up in the family room with the head er nurse on duty that day. She tried to explain the death certificate to me. She said that since Dr. Russell was supposedly Moms doctor at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation , he signed the death certificate. It still didn't make sense that the doctor in the er that morning, Dr. Boleman, pronounced her but didn't sign the certificate. The records I had been able to obtain at this point, made a reference that DR. Russell was to discuss it with Dr. Harrellson. Ok, now you have three doctors involved, and to my knowledge, none of them had seen Mom except DR. Boleman. And that was that morning in the er. What was going on?
The next thing was to figure out who all these doctors were, and how they were involved. First Dr. Boleman is a member of Hendersonville emergency physicians. They are the er doctor group at Pardee. Then Dr. Harrellson, who was he, and why would Dr. Russell discuss the cause of death with him. Well, Dr. Harrellson turned out to be a she, Dr. Anna Q. Harrellson . Just so happens that she was a member of DR. Russell's practice. DR. Russell's practice is WNC Family Medical Center at 510 Balsam Rd. in Hendersonville. Dr Russell was supposed to be Mom's doctor. There is no indication that he ever even saw her.
I would have to wait till mid December to get the medical records. That's when things really started looking bad. More to come.
November 2011, was a month of learning for me. As my suspicions grew, I tried to gather as much information as I could. The first place I went was to the Henderson County EMS. They were more than happy to provide me with the call sheet from the morning Mom died. The times on the EMS report did not match the times I was given by Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. The report shows that cpr was preformed for fifty minutes, with never any heartbeat. There is a copy of the ekg and it is a flat line from start to finish. I did some research, and after six minutes without a heartbeat or breath, a person is dead. The nurses own report says that Mom was unresponsive for ten to fifteen minutes before cpr.
I walked from the ems building to Pardee hospital. I went into the emergency room and ended up in the family room with the head er nurse on duty that day. She tried to explain the death certificate to me. She said that since Dr. Russell was supposedly Moms doctor at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation , he signed the death certificate. It still didn't make sense that the doctor in the er that morning, Dr. Boleman, pronounced her but didn't sign the certificate. The records I had been able to obtain at this point, made a reference that DR. Russell was to discuss it with Dr. Harrellson. Ok, now you have three doctors involved, and to my knowledge, none of them had seen Mom except DR. Boleman. And that was that morning in the er. What was going on?
The next thing was to figure out who all these doctors were, and how they were involved. First Dr. Boleman is a member of Hendersonville emergency physicians. They are the er doctor group at Pardee. Then Dr. Harrellson, who was he, and why would Dr. Russell discuss the cause of death with him. Well, Dr. Harrellson turned out to be a she, Dr. Anna Q. Harrellson . Just so happens that she was a member of DR. Russell's practice. DR. Russell's practice is WNC Family Medical Center at 510 Balsam Rd. in Hendersonville. Dr Russell was supposed to be Mom's doctor. There is no indication that he ever even saw her.
I would have to wait till mid December to get the medical records. That's when things really started looking bad. More to come.
Monday, November 11, 2013
How long should I wait ???
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Jennifer Thomas, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, Gail Maloney RN and NCDHHS.
At this point, Mom had been dead for seven days. She died on a Thursday, and for some reason a medical examiner had to examine her before they could creamate her. It took till Monday to get the release. The funeral went on without her remains, which does not normally happen in a Catholic Church.
After the funeral, with all the different accounts of what had happened. I called Pardee Hospital and asked them if they would do a autopsy. They said they would not, I called Dr. Russell and asked if he would order it. He said he would check on it, he never returned my call. I wasn't sure what I should do, the mortuary called and I needed to sign before they could cremate Mom's body. With my suspicions growing every day, I made the decision to delay the cremation. This was not an easy decision to make, I didn't want to make this any harder on my family or myself.
I called the SBI, and spoke to an agent there, he said they could not get involved without local law enforcements request. I called the local sheriffs department, explained the events that had taken place. The person I spoke to originally, was concerned about what I was telling him. He took notes, and said he would have another deputy call me. I never heard back from them either. The mortuary called again, they wanted to know what to do. I told them to wait, I was going to continue to try to get an autopsy done.
I called the NC State medical examiners office and told them the story, they would not get involved. According to their own rules, an autopsy is required, if someone dies in a medical facility, from something other than what they were being treated for. Mom was not being treated for anything to do with her heart, but " old people die ".
My sister then called Dr. Harold Picus, the surgeon that had done Mom's surgery. He could not believe that she had died. DR. Picus said that they had expected a full recovery. He told my sister that he would call and order an autopsy. According to Dr. Picus, Pardee Hospital denied the request, as he was not her treating doctor, Dr. Russell was.
My sister also spoke to Dr. Mills Mom's family doctor, he was also shocked that Mom had died. Dr Mills had seen her since the surgery, and saw nothing that would indicate her passing!
I called the NC State Medical Examiners office several times, still no help. The last time I called, I spoke to Hillary Sheaves, when I was telling her the story, I mentioned the fact that Mom had fallen. She stopped me, and asked " did you say she fell? ". I told her what I knew about the fall. Ms. Sheaves took the information she needed and said she would order Mom's records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. She was the first person I had spoken to, that felt like something might be wrong.
The mortuary called again, it had been over three weeks since Mom had died. Again I told them I wanted to wait. I didn't want to leave Moms body laying in the mortuary, but I felt I needed to exhaust all possibilities of obtaining an autopsy. It took another week or so before I heard back from Ms. Sheaves. She started the conversation with an apology, I was getting used to that. According to Ms. Sheaves, the records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, didn't indicate the fall was a significant event. They could not order an autopsy.
I called Padee Hospital, and spoke to someone there who agreed to meet with my brother and I. It was early in December, and I had still not gotten appointed as the administrator of Mom's estate. Legally I had no rights to Mom's records. We met with Steve Pennock, the public relations person at Pardee Hospital, and Gail Sams RN, the emergency room nursing director. We discussed the alarming number of deaths at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, which they could not comment on. Then I asked if Dr. Russell worked at Pardee, their response was that he saw patients there. I told them that I suspected that Mom had died as a result of the fall, or possibly a medication error. I begged them to do an autopsy, again they refused. I asked them if they could simply do a blood test, and take a mobile ex ray machine, and examine her head. They refused, and said the only way to get an autopsy done was to pay $4000.00, and send Moms body to Duke Medical center.
I was torn apart, Moms body had been at the mortuary for over a month at this point. I finally made the call to allow them to cremate her body. I could not continue to delay the inevitable, I felt guilty for putting it off as long as I had. Was I imagining things or was there really reasons to be suspicious?
I couldn't imagine that there could be more that would happen to make it look any worse. Well I was wrong. It's a long story, more to come.
At this point, Mom had been dead for seven days. She died on a Thursday, and for some reason a medical examiner had to examine her before they could creamate her. It took till Monday to get the release. The funeral went on without her remains, which does not normally happen in a Catholic Church.
After the funeral, with all the different accounts of what had happened. I called Pardee Hospital and asked them if they would do a autopsy. They said they would not, I called Dr. Russell and asked if he would order it. He said he would check on it, he never returned my call. I wasn't sure what I should do, the mortuary called and I needed to sign before they could cremate Mom's body. With my suspicions growing every day, I made the decision to delay the cremation. This was not an easy decision to make, I didn't want to make this any harder on my family or myself.
I called the SBI, and spoke to an agent there, he said they could not get involved without local law enforcements request. I called the local sheriffs department, explained the events that had taken place. The person I spoke to originally, was concerned about what I was telling him. He took notes, and said he would have another deputy call me. I never heard back from them either. The mortuary called again, they wanted to know what to do. I told them to wait, I was going to continue to try to get an autopsy done.
I called the NC State medical examiners office and told them the story, they would not get involved. According to their own rules, an autopsy is required, if someone dies in a medical facility, from something other than what they were being treated for. Mom was not being treated for anything to do with her heart, but " old people die ".
My sister then called Dr. Harold Picus, the surgeon that had done Mom's surgery. He could not believe that she had died. DR. Picus said that they had expected a full recovery. He told my sister that he would call and order an autopsy. According to Dr. Picus, Pardee Hospital denied the request, as he was not her treating doctor, Dr. Russell was.
My sister also spoke to Dr. Mills Mom's family doctor, he was also shocked that Mom had died. Dr Mills had seen her since the surgery, and saw nothing that would indicate her passing!
I called the NC State Medical Examiners office several times, still no help. The last time I called, I spoke to Hillary Sheaves, when I was telling her the story, I mentioned the fact that Mom had fallen. She stopped me, and asked " did you say she fell? ". I told her what I knew about the fall. Ms. Sheaves took the information she needed and said she would order Mom's records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. She was the first person I had spoken to, that felt like something might be wrong.
The mortuary called again, it had been over three weeks since Mom had died. Again I told them I wanted to wait. I didn't want to leave Moms body laying in the mortuary, but I felt I needed to exhaust all possibilities of obtaining an autopsy. It took another week or so before I heard back from Ms. Sheaves. She started the conversation with an apology, I was getting used to that. According to Ms. Sheaves, the records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, didn't indicate the fall was a significant event. They could not order an autopsy.
I called Padee Hospital, and spoke to someone there who agreed to meet with my brother and I. It was early in December, and I had still not gotten appointed as the administrator of Mom's estate. Legally I had no rights to Mom's records. We met with Steve Pennock, the public relations person at Pardee Hospital, and Gail Sams RN, the emergency room nursing director. We discussed the alarming number of deaths at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, which they could not comment on. Then I asked if Dr. Russell worked at Pardee, their response was that he saw patients there. I told them that I suspected that Mom had died as a result of the fall, or possibly a medication error. I begged them to do an autopsy, again they refused. I asked them if they could simply do a blood test, and take a mobile ex ray machine, and examine her head. They refused, and said the only way to get an autopsy done was to pay $4000.00, and send Moms body to Duke Medical center.
I was torn apart, Moms body had been at the mortuary for over a month at this point. I finally made the call to allow them to cremate her body. I could not continue to delay the inevitable, I felt guilty for putting it off as long as I had. Was I imagining things or was there really reasons to be suspicious?
I couldn't imagine that there could be more that would happen to make it look any worse. Well I was wrong. It's a long story, more to come.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Does this make sense??
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Jennifer Thomas, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, Gail Maloney RN and NCDHHS.
If this is the first time that you have seen this blog, you probably wonder what's up with the list of names above. I will start with Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, Mom was sent there for occupational and physical therapy following surgery. After fifteen days, she was supposed to discharge on November 3, 2011, she died that morning.
Next SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, they are the company that operates six nursing and rehabilitation centers in North Carolina. They do not even exist on the NC Secretary of State corporations page, and their office address is a Fed Ex office.
Dr. Larry Joe Russell, was supposed to be Mom's doctor while at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, there is no indication that he ever even saw her. He is also one of the owners of Hendersonville Physicians and Associates, the company that bought Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation from Pardee Hospital. Dr. Russell is also the medical director at The Laurels of Hendersonville, and the staff doctor at all the nursing homes in Henderson County. His name is associated with several other doctors offices and medical facilities in Hendersonville. Dr. Russell has a whole lot of patients.
Jennifer Thomas was the records clerk that I originally requested Mom's records from. After copying the records, and telling me to come get them, she was told to destroy them, and they would send copies from the SanStone office. Jennifer Thomas left Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation within two weeks of speaking to me. I have not been able to locate her.
Susan Habel RN, was the director of nursing at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. She was the first person I spoke to about what happened to Mom. I am not sure what her role was in the events that took place, but I know she knows the truth.. She is no longer at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Tammy Mace RN, according to the records, was the nurse that discovered Moms body that morning. She was working the 7 PM to 7 AM shift, it was the first time she had ever worked on Mom's hall.
Lara Mooney LPN, according to records, she was the nurse that administered the Ativan on the afternoon before Mom fell. Lara Mooney was also the nurse that created a fraudulent nurses note concerning the fall. Her account of the fall was different than the roommate Mom had that night. Her account of the fall was a " late entry " and is dated December 1, 2011, a month after Moms death. Lara Mooney has been disciplined by the NC Board of nursing before, for practicing nursing without a license. At the last I know, she was working at Fleishers Fairview Health Care. She was terminated from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
" Cookie " Maude Romeo, was the administrator at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation during Mom's stay. When I started asking Susan Habel RN questions that she didn't want to answer, I was taken to Ms. Romeo. She was not a very nice person. She asked me if I was accusing them of something. She also told me that the NCDHHS had told her that I had filed a complaint against Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. That information is supposed to be confidential. Ms. Romeo is also no longer at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Mike Deloach and Christopher Sprenger, together these two own SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, and are listed as managing employees at all of the SanStone facilities. They and their companies are major sponsors of the yearly Pardee Hospital Golf Tournament. The Sprenger family owns and operates many nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Ohio. Their names appear on corporate documents of several companies as well, some with Dr. Larry Joe Russell, and others.
The last name on the list is Gail Maloney RN, and the NCDHHS. Ms. Maloney was the Western Regional director of the NCDHHS that inspects and certifies nursing and rehabilitation facilities.
Several members of my family and I met with Ms Maloney at the Western Regional Office in Black Mountain. We presented her with documents and questions that were direct violations of NCDHHS regulations. Of all the violations we could prove, she found no problems with a single one . The medical records does not indicate what happened to the Ativan that Mom had been prescribed. When I asked her what happened to the Ativan tablets , she replied " they probably just gave them back to the pharmacy. NCDHHS regulations state that any such medication must be destroyed, and there has to be a witness to the destruction. Ms. Maloney is no longer the Western Regional director of the NCDHHS, shortly after our meeting, she retired.
The NCDHHS is the State agency that licenses nursing homes. They are responsible for inspections and complaint investigations. Their results determine whether the homes are eligible to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.
If you consider all the information above, it is hard not to doubt the entire story I was told. It gets worse than this. More to come!
If this is the first time that you have seen this blog, you probably wonder what's up with the list of names above. I will start with Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, Mom was sent there for occupational and physical therapy following surgery. After fifteen days, she was supposed to discharge on November 3, 2011, she died that morning.
Next SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, they are the company that operates six nursing and rehabilitation centers in North Carolina. They do not even exist on the NC Secretary of State corporations page, and their office address is a Fed Ex office.
Dr. Larry Joe Russell, was supposed to be Mom's doctor while at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, there is no indication that he ever even saw her. He is also one of the owners of Hendersonville Physicians and Associates, the company that bought Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation from Pardee Hospital. Dr. Russell is also the medical director at The Laurels of Hendersonville, and the staff doctor at all the nursing homes in Henderson County. His name is associated with several other doctors offices and medical facilities in Hendersonville. Dr. Russell has a whole lot of patients.
Jennifer Thomas was the records clerk that I originally requested Mom's records from. After copying the records, and telling me to come get them, she was told to destroy them, and they would send copies from the SanStone office. Jennifer Thomas left Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation within two weeks of speaking to me. I have not been able to locate her.
Susan Habel RN, was the director of nursing at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. She was the first person I spoke to about what happened to Mom. I am not sure what her role was in the events that took place, but I know she knows the truth.. She is no longer at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Tammy Mace RN, according to the records, was the nurse that discovered Moms body that morning. She was working the 7 PM to 7 AM shift, it was the first time she had ever worked on Mom's hall.
Lara Mooney LPN, according to records, she was the nurse that administered the Ativan on the afternoon before Mom fell. Lara Mooney was also the nurse that created a fraudulent nurses note concerning the fall. Her account of the fall was different than the roommate Mom had that night. Her account of the fall was a " late entry " and is dated December 1, 2011, a month after Moms death. Lara Mooney has been disciplined by the NC Board of nursing before, for practicing nursing without a license. At the last I know, she was working at Fleishers Fairview Health Care. She was terminated from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
" Cookie " Maude Romeo, was the administrator at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation during Mom's stay. When I started asking Susan Habel RN questions that she didn't want to answer, I was taken to Ms. Romeo. She was not a very nice person. She asked me if I was accusing them of something. She also told me that the NCDHHS had told her that I had filed a complaint against Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. That information is supposed to be confidential. Ms. Romeo is also no longer at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Mike Deloach and Christopher Sprenger, together these two own SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, and are listed as managing employees at all of the SanStone facilities. They and their companies are major sponsors of the yearly Pardee Hospital Golf Tournament. The Sprenger family owns and operates many nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Ohio. Their names appear on corporate documents of several companies as well, some with Dr. Larry Joe Russell, and others.
The last name on the list is Gail Maloney RN, and the NCDHHS. Ms. Maloney was the Western Regional director of the NCDHHS that inspects and certifies nursing and rehabilitation facilities.
Several members of my family and I met with Ms Maloney at the Western Regional Office in Black Mountain. We presented her with documents and questions that were direct violations of NCDHHS regulations. Of all the violations we could prove, she found no problems with a single one . The medical records does not indicate what happened to the Ativan that Mom had been prescribed. When I asked her what happened to the Ativan tablets , she replied " they probably just gave them back to the pharmacy. NCDHHS regulations state that any such medication must be destroyed, and there has to be a witness to the destruction. Ms. Maloney is no longer the Western Regional director of the NCDHHS, shortly after our meeting, she retired.
The NCDHHS is the State agency that licenses nursing homes. They are responsible for inspections and complaint investigations. Their results determine whether the homes are eligible to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.
If you consider all the information above, it is hard not to doubt the entire story I was told. It gets worse than this. More to come!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
How many does it take???
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, NC Board of Nursing, NC Medical Board and NCDHHS.
Yesterday,I mentioned Dr. Larry Joe Russell, had signed the Mom's death certificate. This was the first time I had heard his name. I wanted to know why the death certificate was not signed by Dr Boleman, the ER doctor who had pronounced Mom dead. I called Pardee hospital, and asked them why Dr. Boleman had not signed the certificate. I was told that Dr. Larry Joe Russell, was Mom's doctor. Thats why he signed it. Dr. Russell had never even seen my Mom, how did he come up with a diagnosis.
I called Dr. Russell, and he said, the diagnosis was based on her age and her declining health. Then he backed up and said, oh wait, your Mom was getting better. So basically his diagnosis was based on her age alone. Mom was seventy six when she died, and before her surgery, was able to take care of herself just fine. Thats when I started hearing how people die when they get older. Really!!! A person who was basically healthy , could have surgery, and then just die because of their age. I wonder if they told her that before her surgery. We can do the surgery, but because of your age you could die!
I wondered if Dr. Russell didn't sign all of his death certificates the same. Well an afternoon trip to the Henderson County courthouse would answer that question. First thing is Dr. Larry Joe Russell signs a lot of death certificates. I couldn't go three pages without finding another one he signed. I thought acute coronary arrhythmia would be the normal cause, I was wrong. The cause of death on more than half of the ones I looked at was " failure to thrive ". I had never heard of that before, I looked it up, and it is mostly used in infants.
If you are in a nursing home, they are supposed to feed you, assist you with hygiene, make sure you are hydrated, and administer your medication. How could so many people fail to thrive under those conditions. The funny thing is " failure to thrive " is not used as a cause of death by most of the other doctors. It is used by some, but it is rare. It alarmed me how many of Dr. Russell's patients failed to thrive.
Then I started looking into this Dr. Larry Joe Russell, and found out he was one of the owners of Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. He was also the owner or registered agent for several other businesses in Hendersonville. His name is on documents from several doctors practices, TST Medical, Family Medical Center, and others. He is the medical Director at the Laurels of Hendersonville, and sees patients at all the nursing homes in Henderson County. At least all of them that accept Medicare and Medicaid.
He also supervises at least eight nurse practitioners, and several PA's. I found where another PA, Todd Stone, had been in trouble with the Medical Board, Dr. Russell was now supervising his office. And another physician who was supposed to be mentored, as a provisional licensee, was also being monitored by Dr. Russell. The second doctor mentioned was arrested by the Asheville Police Department for writing bogus prescriptions. I began to seriously question Dr. Larry Joe Russell's credentials. This was the way all of this got started. Two years of research and countless hours of reading medical terms. I know things some medical professionals don't even know. Mostly I know that the NCDHHS does not do their job in monitoring these facilities. They ignore obvious violations of their regulations, and allow these places to operate without fear of any action.
I think the thing that bothers me most, is the lack of concern by law enforcement and public officials. I cant even list all the people who I have tried to get to help. Congressmen, Senators, NCDHHS, law enforcement, both State and Federal. None of them can seem to find anything wrong. If you were to take the regulations and walk into any nursing home in any State, you would find violations. How come the ones that do the inspections cant. I'm guessing that money and political corruption is the only reason.
I will continue to write until I get someone's attention. If I have brought up something you are aware of, share your comments on this blog. It takes more than one elderly patient dying needlessly to make a difference. I wonder how many have to die before we say that's enough!
Yesterday,I mentioned Dr. Larry Joe Russell, had signed the Mom's death certificate. This was the first time I had heard his name. I wanted to know why the death certificate was not signed by Dr Boleman, the ER doctor who had pronounced Mom dead. I called Pardee hospital, and asked them why Dr. Boleman had not signed the certificate. I was told that Dr. Larry Joe Russell, was Mom's doctor. Thats why he signed it. Dr. Russell had never even seen my Mom, how did he come up with a diagnosis.
I called Dr. Russell, and he said, the diagnosis was based on her age and her declining health. Then he backed up and said, oh wait, your Mom was getting better. So basically his diagnosis was based on her age alone. Mom was seventy six when she died, and before her surgery, was able to take care of herself just fine. Thats when I started hearing how people die when they get older. Really!!! A person who was basically healthy , could have surgery, and then just die because of their age. I wonder if they told her that before her surgery. We can do the surgery, but because of your age you could die!
I wondered if Dr. Russell didn't sign all of his death certificates the same. Well an afternoon trip to the Henderson County courthouse would answer that question. First thing is Dr. Larry Joe Russell signs a lot of death certificates. I couldn't go three pages without finding another one he signed. I thought acute coronary arrhythmia would be the normal cause, I was wrong. The cause of death on more than half of the ones I looked at was " failure to thrive ". I had never heard of that before, I looked it up, and it is mostly used in infants.
If you are in a nursing home, they are supposed to feed you, assist you with hygiene, make sure you are hydrated, and administer your medication. How could so many people fail to thrive under those conditions. The funny thing is " failure to thrive " is not used as a cause of death by most of the other doctors. It is used by some, but it is rare. It alarmed me how many of Dr. Russell's patients failed to thrive.
Then I started looking into this Dr. Larry Joe Russell, and found out he was one of the owners of Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. He was also the owner or registered agent for several other businesses in Hendersonville. His name is on documents from several doctors practices, TST Medical, Family Medical Center, and others. He is the medical Director at the Laurels of Hendersonville, and sees patients at all the nursing homes in Henderson County. At least all of them that accept Medicare and Medicaid.
He also supervises at least eight nurse practitioners, and several PA's. I found where another PA, Todd Stone, had been in trouble with the Medical Board, Dr. Russell was now supervising his office. And another physician who was supposed to be mentored, as a provisional licensee, was also being monitored by Dr. Russell. The second doctor mentioned was arrested by the Asheville Police Department for writing bogus prescriptions. I began to seriously question Dr. Larry Joe Russell's credentials. This was the way all of this got started. Two years of research and countless hours of reading medical terms. I know things some medical professionals don't even know. Mostly I know that the NCDHHS does not do their job in monitoring these facilities. They ignore obvious violations of their regulations, and allow these places to operate without fear of any action.
I think the thing that bothers me most, is the lack of concern by law enforcement and public officials. I cant even list all the people who I have tried to get to help. Congressmen, Senators, NCDHHS, law enforcement, both State and Federal. None of them can seem to find anything wrong. If you were to take the regulations and walk into any nursing home in any State, you would find violations. How come the ones that do the inspections cant. I'm guessing that money and political corruption is the only reason.
I will continue to write until I get someone's attention. If I have brought up something you are aware of, share your comments on this blog. It takes more than one elderly patient dying needlessly to make a difference. I wonder how many have to die before we say that's enough!
Friday, November 8, 2013
First day back at work .
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, NC Board of Nursing, NC Medical Board and NCDHHS.
Today two years ago, would have been my first day back at work since Mom passed. It was a difficult drive in, I drove the same route I did every day. What made it difficult, was that it was also the same route I took to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation that morning. It was also the first time I had been alone since Mom had gone. I thought about a lot of different things on that drive.
I work alone for the first two hours every morning, so more time to think. After I got everything started, I made my breakfast. I reached in the cooler for my grapefruit, and almost lost it. For the last two and a half weeks, I had been cutting two, one for me and one for Mom. Today I wouldn't make that drive to take Mom her coffee and grapefruit. I suddenly couldn't bring myself to eat.
It was a rough day, but I managed to keep it together for my shift. When I finished for the day, I drove up the street, to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I just wanted to hear the story of Mom's last morning. I met with Susan Habel RN, the director of nursing. It just happened that Tammy Mace RN was working that day, she was the one who actually found Mom that morning. They went through their story pretty much the way I remembered it from that morning. Then Tammy Mace RN went back to work, and I was left with Susan Habel RN. I asked her what she thought caused Mom's death. She said the only thing that would cause such a sudden death was a stroke or heart attack. Then she proceeded to tell me what a great job her staff had done that morning. She even went so far as to tell me how the paramedics had said they had done a great job. I left there for what I thought would be the last time.
I wasn't quite sure why, but the story just didn't make sense. When I got home I started thinking that she had never answered the questions that I had gone there to ask. I just knew that something was just not right. I started looking in the obituaries, and was shocked at how many people had died in Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I found more than twelve people since September, had spent their last night on earth at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
I called and requested a copy of Mom's medical records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. They were more than happy to give them to me, as soon as I could verify that I had medical power of attorney, or some other court document. You would think, after what had happened, they would want to share the records. If they had done such a great job, why not prove it.
I began the process of getting appointed as the administrator of Mom's estate.
I had to first get each of my siblings to sign and notarize an authorization. Next I had to get an official copy of the death certificate Then I had to petition the court in Asheville as well. All of this just to get a copy of her medical records. It would take until mid December to complete the process. I didn't have an attorney, and had to figure it out for myself.
When I got the death certificate, it only added to my suspicions. It was signed by Dr. Larry Joe Russell. The cause of death was listed as acute coronary arrhythmia. I couldn't figure out why Dr. Larry Joe Russell had signed the death certificate. I had never heard of DR. Russell before then.The doctor in the emergency room at Pardee on the day she died was Dr. Boleman. If he pronounced her dead, why would he not be the one to sign the death certificate? It only gets more confusing from here. I know a lot more about how things work, than I ever wanted to. More to come!
Today two years ago, would have been my first day back at work since Mom passed. It was a difficult drive in, I drove the same route I did every day. What made it difficult, was that it was also the same route I took to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation that morning. It was also the first time I had been alone since Mom had gone. I thought about a lot of different things on that drive.
I work alone for the first two hours every morning, so more time to think. After I got everything started, I made my breakfast. I reached in the cooler for my grapefruit, and almost lost it. For the last two and a half weeks, I had been cutting two, one for me and one for Mom. Today I wouldn't make that drive to take Mom her coffee and grapefruit. I suddenly couldn't bring myself to eat.
It was a rough day, but I managed to keep it together for my shift. When I finished for the day, I drove up the street, to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I just wanted to hear the story of Mom's last morning. I met with Susan Habel RN, the director of nursing. It just happened that Tammy Mace RN was working that day, she was the one who actually found Mom that morning. They went through their story pretty much the way I remembered it from that morning. Then Tammy Mace RN went back to work, and I was left with Susan Habel RN. I asked her what she thought caused Mom's death. She said the only thing that would cause such a sudden death was a stroke or heart attack. Then she proceeded to tell me what a great job her staff had done that morning. She even went so far as to tell me how the paramedics had said they had done a great job. I left there for what I thought would be the last time.
I wasn't quite sure why, but the story just didn't make sense. When I got home I started thinking that she had never answered the questions that I had gone there to ask. I just knew that something was just not right. I started looking in the obituaries, and was shocked at how many people had died in Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I found more than twelve people since September, had spent their last night on earth at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
I called and requested a copy of Mom's medical records from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. They were more than happy to give them to me, as soon as I could verify that I had medical power of attorney, or some other court document. You would think, after what had happened, they would want to share the records. If they had done such a great job, why not prove it.
I began the process of getting appointed as the administrator of Mom's estate.
I had to first get each of my siblings to sign and notarize an authorization. Next I had to get an official copy of the death certificate Then I had to petition the court in Asheville as well. All of this just to get a copy of her medical records. It would take until mid December to complete the process. I didn't have an attorney, and had to figure it out for myself.
When I got the death certificate, it only added to my suspicions. It was signed by Dr. Larry Joe Russell. The cause of death was listed as acute coronary arrhythmia. I couldn't figure out why Dr. Larry Joe Russell had signed the death certificate. I had never heard of DR. Russell before then.The doctor in the emergency room at Pardee on the day she died was Dr. Boleman. If he pronounced her dead, why would he not be the one to sign the death certificate? It only gets more confusing from here. I know a lot more about how things work, than I ever wanted to. More to come!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Questions ?
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, NC Board of Nursing, NC Medical Board and NCDHHS.
The first day after Mom's passing, we did as she wanted us to. We had a party, everyone came to the house, and my nephew and I went to the store and picked up beer and wine. Then we went back to the house, and had our version of a traditional Irish wake. Mom always said when she went, she wanted a hell of a party. We gave it our best shot, there were plenty of tears, plenty of laughs, and lots of hugs. I think she would have been pleased that we honored her wishes.
The next day, waking up was sobering, in more ways than one. At first, I couldn't get out of bed, I just lay there in disbelief. I felt comfort in knowing that Mom was not going to be struggling any more. She was in a place where she could see perfectly, walk without a walker, and would never again have to wait on someone to help her to the bathroom. She had been set free from the troubles of this world. I was happy for her, but my heart was broken for all of us left behind.
We started a new day, gathering at my house again. My sister and her family came up from Atlanta, and everyone else came over. There was a great comfort in being surrounded by all the family. There was one family missing. During the stress of the last month, one of my sisters, had become separated from the rest of us. It was a terrible thing to happen to a family, that had always been so close.
As we were all talking about Mom, there were some things that just didn't make sense, about what had happened. The more I told the story from the staff at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, the more things didn't add up. According to Tammy Mace RN, Mom had been assisted to the bathroom, by a cna from another hall.Tammy Mace RN told me that five or ten minutes later she walked by Mom's room, and she was slumped over in an awkward position. She then called her name, and got no answer, went into the room, and felt no pulse. They started cpr, which continued for at least 45 minutes or so. Depending on which version of the story is true.
The times just didn't add up, the more we discussed things, the more questions came up. The people who were there that morning, had never taken care of Mom before. The roommate at the time, didn't seem to realize the seriousness of what had taken place. When my sister went back to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, to pick up Mom's things, Everything was in boxes. The bed was made, and there was no indication that anything had happened there just a few hours before. I would have expected that we would have been able to pack Mom's things. There were certain things that we never found.
Regardless of what we were learning about Mom's last day, we had to make the arrangements. My youngest sister and I went to the mortuary to sign the papers and make arrangements there. For some reason, we had to have a medical examiner check her body. It was now the weekend, and the medical examiner could not be there till Monday. The mortuary could not proceed until that happened. It seemed strange that we had to have a medical examiner check the body, when Mom had died in Pardee Hospital. There were doctors present, and I know they have medical examiners at Pardee. Just one more reason to question what was happening.
We had to proceed with the funeral arrangements without the remains. There was an issue with the church, but the Priest was fond of Mom, and made things work. Everyone else had there jobs to do also. My oldest sister went to St. Lawrence Basillica, to arrange the service. There were flowerers to order, someone had to write the obituary, and my middle sister, took care of the food and arranged to have a reception at Jubilee in Asheville. It was a busy couple of days.There was a picture board put together by a group of family members, with everyone contributing pictures. It was hard, but we were all together, supporting each other.
The first day after Mom's passing, we did as she wanted us to. We had a party, everyone came to the house, and my nephew and I went to the store and picked up beer and wine. Then we went back to the house, and had our version of a traditional Irish wake. Mom always said when she went, she wanted a hell of a party. We gave it our best shot, there were plenty of tears, plenty of laughs, and lots of hugs. I think she would have been pleased that we honored her wishes.
The next day, waking up was sobering, in more ways than one. At first, I couldn't get out of bed, I just lay there in disbelief. I felt comfort in knowing that Mom was not going to be struggling any more. She was in a place where she could see perfectly, walk without a walker, and would never again have to wait on someone to help her to the bathroom. She had been set free from the troubles of this world. I was happy for her, but my heart was broken for all of us left behind.
We started a new day, gathering at my house again. My sister and her family came up from Atlanta, and everyone else came over. There was a great comfort in being surrounded by all the family. There was one family missing. During the stress of the last month, one of my sisters, had become separated from the rest of us. It was a terrible thing to happen to a family, that had always been so close.
As we were all talking about Mom, there were some things that just didn't make sense, about what had happened. The more I told the story from the staff at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, the more things didn't add up. According to Tammy Mace RN, Mom had been assisted to the bathroom, by a cna from another hall.Tammy Mace RN told me that five or ten minutes later she walked by Mom's room, and she was slumped over in an awkward position. She then called her name, and got no answer, went into the room, and felt no pulse. They started cpr, which continued for at least 45 minutes or so. Depending on which version of the story is true.
The times just didn't add up, the more we discussed things, the more questions came up. The people who were there that morning, had never taken care of Mom before. The roommate at the time, didn't seem to realize the seriousness of what had taken place. When my sister went back to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, to pick up Mom's things, Everything was in boxes. The bed was made, and there was no indication that anything had happened there just a few hours before. I would have expected that we would have been able to pack Mom's things. There were certain things that we never found.
Regardless of what we were learning about Mom's last day, we had to make the arrangements. My youngest sister and I went to the mortuary to sign the papers and make arrangements there. For some reason, we had to have a medical examiner check her body. It was now the weekend, and the medical examiner could not be there till Monday. The mortuary could not proceed until that happened. It seemed strange that we had to have a medical examiner check the body, when Mom had died in Pardee Hospital. There were doctors present, and I know they have medical examiners at Pardee. Just one more reason to question what was happening.
We had to proceed with the funeral arrangements without the remains. There was an issue with the church, but the Priest was fond of Mom, and made things work. Everyone else had there jobs to do also. My oldest sister went to St. Lawrence Basillica, to arrange the service. There were flowerers to order, someone had to write the obituary, and my middle sister, took care of the food and arranged to have a reception at Jubilee in Asheville. It was a busy couple of days.There was a picture board put together by a group of family members, with everyone contributing pictures. It was hard, but we were all together, supporting each other.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Finally home !!!
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Susan Habel RN, Tammy Mace RN, Lara Mooney LPN, "Cookie" Maude Romeo, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, NC Board of Nursing, NC Medical Board and NCDHHS.
Two years ago today, at 5:07 in the morning, I received the call that would change my life. I did not recognize the number or the voice on the other end. The caller with a Hispanic accent told me that Mom was not breathing, and they were trying to resuscitate her. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, time seemed to freeze. I asked her to repeat what she had just told me, and asked her if she was sure she dialed the right number. She responded that she was trying to reach me, at my number, and repeated what she had told me. I told her I would be right there, it took me maybe ten minutes to get to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. When I pulled up, there was a Blue Ridge Fire Department pickup truck out front.
I ran to the front door, and had to ring the bell to get someone to let me in. There was one cna, that answered the door. I rushed down the hall and was met at the desk by Tammy Mace RN. She looked upset, and she told me they had taken Mom to Margret Pardee Hospital. She told me she was not breathing and they were doing all they could. I didn't know how to respond, I just ran to my truck, and headed for Pardee as quick as I could. I arrived in time to see them taking someone inside from an ambulance, it had to be Mom. I went inside, the lady at the desk took my name, and told me to wait out front. They were bringing her in and would come and get me. I called my wife, and she and my son were leaving to come to the hospital.
It seemed like forever, but in about five minutes, the nurse took me back to the family room, a doctor came in and he told me Mom did not make it. I started crying and my wife and son came in and we all cried. I had called my brother and sisters while I was waiting out front. I had to call them all again, and tell them what I was just told.I am not a strong person, when it comes to this kind of thing. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I couldn't believe what was happening, she was supposed to be coming home that morning. What happened?
Family started arriving pretty quickly, and I was forced to tell the story over and over again. I had to explain how someone who was supposed to be discharged that day suddenly died. My religious beliefs told me that Mom was in a better place. I was in strange territory trying to make everyone else feel better. Mom had gone home, home to be with pop, and her own sister, mother and father. I was happy for her and my heart was broken for the rest of us.
My oldest sister and I had to sign the paper to have Mom's body taken to the mortuary. My youngest sister and I had to go to the mortuary to make the final arrangements there. The rest of the family as a group, took care of everything else. Due to the situation at Mom's house, my house became the gathering place. It was comforting to have all of my family at my house. Looking back, I probably had it the easiest, surrounded by the people I love the most.
My family is much different than it was two years ago. I cant remember the last time all the brothers and sisters got together. Lots of things happened between Mom's surgery and her passing. There were lots of times that we didn't all see the same way. I know that in our own way each of us was wanting what was best for Mom. We just didn't all see things the same way. I miss my family and pray every day that things will change. I hope in time everyone can forgive each other and things could go back to normal, whatever that is.
I miss Mom, and think about her every day. I still want to know what really happened, two years ago.
The statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit is two years. As of Monday morning they have no reason to withhold the truth any longer. A little truth from Hendersonville Health and rehabilitation, could give my family closure. What really happened the night Mom fell, what really happened the morning of November 3, 2011. They have nothing to lose by telling the truth now.
Two years ago today, at 5:07 in the morning, I received the call that would change my life. I did not recognize the number or the voice on the other end. The caller with a Hispanic accent told me that Mom was not breathing, and they were trying to resuscitate her. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, time seemed to freeze. I asked her to repeat what she had just told me, and asked her if she was sure she dialed the right number. She responded that she was trying to reach me, at my number, and repeated what she had told me. I told her I would be right there, it took me maybe ten minutes to get to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. When I pulled up, there was a Blue Ridge Fire Department pickup truck out front.
I ran to the front door, and had to ring the bell to get someone to let me in. There was one cna, that answered the door. I rushed down the hall and was met at the desk by Tammy Mace RN. She looked upset, and she told me they had taken Mom to Margret Pardee Hospital. She told me she was not breathing and they were doing all they could. I didn't know how to respond, I just ran to my truck, and headed for Pardee as quick as I could. I arrived in time to see them taking someone inside from an ambulance, it had to be Mom. I went inside, the lady at the desk took my name, and told me to wait out front. They were bringing her in and would come and get me. I called my wife, and she and my son were leaving to come to the hospital.
It seemed like forever, but in about five minutes, the nurse took me back to the family room, a doctor came in and he told me Mom did not make it. I started crying and my wife and son came in and we all cried. I had called my brother and sisters while I was waiting out front. I had to call them all again, and tell them what I was just told.I am not a strong person, when it comes to this kind of thing. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I couldn't believe what was happening, she was supposed to be coming home that morning. What happened?
Family started arriving pretty quickly, and I was forced to tell the story over and over again. I had to explain how someone who was supposed to be discharged that day suddenly died. My religious beliefs told me that Mom was in a better place. I was in strange territory trying to make everyone else feel better. Mom had gone home, home to be with pop, and her own sister, mother and father. I was happy for her and my heart was broken for the rest of us.
My oldest sister and I had to sign the paper to have Mom's body taken to the mortuary. My youngest sister and I had to go to the mortuary to make the final arrangements there. The rest of the family as a group, took care of everything else. Due to the situation at Mom's house, my house became the gathering place. It was comforting to have all of my family at my house. Looking back, I probably had it the easiest, surrounded by the people I love the most.
My family is much different than it was two years ago. I cant remember the last time all the brothers and sisters got together. Lots of things happened between Mom's surgery and her passing. There were lots of times that we didn't all see the same way. I know that in our own way each of us was wanting what was best for Mom. We just didn't all see things the same way. I miss my family and pray every day that things will change. I hope in time everyone can forgive each other and things could go back to normal, whatever that is.
I miss Mom, and think about her every day. I still want to know what really happened, two years ago.
The statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit is two years. As of Monday morning they have no reason to withhold the truth any longer. A little truth from Hendersonville Health and rehabilitation, could give my family closure. What really happened the night Mom fell, what really happened the morning of November 3, 2011. They have nothing to lose by telling the truth now.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Getting ready to go home!!
Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, SanStone Health and Rehabilitation, Dr. Larry Joe Russell, Mike Deloach, Christopher Sprenger, and NCDHHS.
Two years ago, today would have beeb a Wednedsay. I would have been up getting ready for work now. It was an exciting day for the family, Mom was coming home tomorrow. Finally this long journey was finally going to be over. There would be challenges, but they would be handled by people who loved and cared for her. Everything was falling into place, all the necessary equipment was at my sisters house, where Mom was going to complete her healing.
I went into work, and got breakfast started, then when my cashier arrived I took Mom her red grapefruit, and a cup of coffee. I was going to miss my morning visits, and having her so close to my work. We sat and talked for a while. Mom was a little nervous, not about going home, but about upsetting one of her children about where she would stay. She agreed that the choice she had made was the most practical. Mom's physical condition had improved considerably in the last month, and she knew that she would be back in her own house soon. She talked about what she had been through since the surgery, and she joked about getting out of the "haunted house" as she called Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Her roommate and friend Marsha, had been discharged a day or so before, and she had a new roommate that morning. Marsha had been great, all of us had gotten to know her pretty well. She would do what she was able to help Mom, and to get the nurses, when they didn't come for the call bells. She and Mom had exchanged contact information, and become friends.
I went back to work, after assisting Mom to the bathroom, and waiting for someone to come help her out, just like I did every day. That afternoon, I did not visit with Mom like I usually did. My wife and son came and picked Mom up to run errands. The first stop was her bank, where she went in and got her account straitened out, and withdrew a little money to go shopping. From there they went to Wal Mart, she wanted to have a new pair of jeans, and a top to wear home tomorrow . This was not the first time she had been out. My sister had taken her to Church a couple of times, she had been to at least one doctors appointment . One night that week my wife, son, and I had taken and her to her grandsons band concert, followed by a trip to Sonic for a treat! She was so proud of all of her grandchildren and would never miss something like a concert, ballgame, or birthday party. That's what mattered to her, she lived for her family.
It's strange looking back, that there was not one employee at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, who Mom would miss. You would think after fifteen days of being "cared for" by them, she would have gotten close to at least one of them. I guess if they ever spent any time with her, they would have bonded some. The people she had spent the most time with were the occupational, and physical therapists. There was one young physical therapist, that she would joke with, and he seemed to really care about her. I regret not getting his name, as he would be the one positive element at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. Just so happens that the therapists are not employees of Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
I would bet that since two years ago, that there is probably very few of the same employees at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I know that the records clerk I spoke to is gone, along with several nurses, the director of nursing, and the administrator. This is very common in most of these places. The employees are overworked, and understaffed all the time. If they stay, they are desperate for a job, and they become very resentful towards the residents. I have said before that I know there are good people working at these places, but the bad ones overshadow the good ones.
There is no reason for them not to have enough staff. The profits they are making are ridiculous, if they would reinvest in the employees, the care would be much better.
SanStone, somehow got approval to build a new facility in Mills River NC. They are partners with Fletcher Academy, a private school? I cant seem to figure that one out, other than the fact that Beystone is on the same property as the school is now. The new facility is being built to replace Beystone, and was going to be named as such. That has changed to The Lodge at Mills River, I am guessing that is due to the low one star rating that Beystone has.
It also has a warm comfortable feeling to it. Take away the health and rehabilitation from the name , and it seems like a vacation! I guess we'll have to wait and see. My bet is that Mills River will regret letting them move there, no matter how many jobs it creates. People in Mills River, will hold the minority of those jobs there. And expect to hear a lot of ambulances, for the unfortunate residents that don't live through their stay at the Lodge.
Two years ago, today would have beeb a Wednedsay. I would have been up getting ready for work now. It was an exciting day for the family, Mom was coming home tomorrow. Finally this long journey was finally going to be over. There would be challenges, but they would be handled by people who loved and cared for her. Everything was falling into place, all the necessary equipment was at my sisters house, where Mom was going to complete her healing.
I went into work, and got breakfast started, then when my cashier arrived I took Mom her red grapefruit, and a cup of coffee. I was going to miss my morning visits, and having her so close to my work. We sat and talked for a while. Mom was a little nervous, not about going home, but about upsetting one of her children about where she would stay. She agreed that the choice she had made was the most practical. Mom's physical condition had improved considerably in the last month, and she knew that she would be back in her own house soon. She talked about what she had been through since the surgery, and she joked about getting out of the "haunted house" as she called Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
Her roommate and friend Marsha, had been discharged a day or so before, and she had a new roommate that morning. Marsha had been great, all of us had gotten to know her pretty well. She would do what she was able to help Mom, and to get the nurses, when they didn't come for the call bells. She and Mom had exchanged contact information, and become friends.
I went back to work, after assisting Mom to the bathroom, and waiting for someone to come help her out, just like I did every day. That afternoon, I did not visit with Mom like I usually did. My wife and son came and picked Mom up to run errands. The first stop was her bank, where she went in and got her account straitened out, and withdrew a little money to go shopping. From there they went to Wal Mart, she wanted to have a new pair of jeans, and a top to wear home tomorrow . This was not the first time she had been out. My sister had taken her to Church a couple of times, she had been to at least one doctors appointment . One night that week my wife, son, and I had taken and her to her grandsons band concert, followed by a trip to Sonic for a treat! She was so proud of all of her grandchildren and would never miss something like a concert, ballgame, or birthday party. That's what mattered to her, she lived for her family.
It's strange looking back, that there was not one employee at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation, who Mom would miss. You would think after fifteen days of being "cared for" by them, she would have gotten close to at least one of them. I guess if they ever spent any time with her, they would have bonded some. The people she had spent the most time with were the occupational, and physical therapists. There was one young physical therapist, that she would joke with, and he seemed to really care about her. I regret not getting his name, as he would be the one positive element at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. Just so happens that the therapists are not employees of Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation.
I would bet that since two years ago, that there is probably very few of the same employees at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. I know that the records clerk I spoke to is gone, along with several nurses, the director of nursing, and the administrator. This is very common in most of these places. The employees are overworked, and understaffed all the time. If they stay, they are desperate for a job, and they become very resentful towards the residents. I have said before that I know there are good people working at these places, but the bad ones overshadow the good ones.
There is no reason for them not to have enough staff. The profits they are making are ridiculous, if they would reinvest in the employees, the care would be much better.
SanStone, somehow got approval to build a new facility in Mills River NC. They are partners with Fletcher Academy, a private school? I cant seem to figure that one out, other than the fact that Beystone is on the same property as the school is now. The new facility is being built to replace Beystone, and was going to be named as such. That has changed to The Lodge at Mills River, I am guessing that is due to the low one star rating that Beystone has.
It also has a warm comfortable feeling to it. Take away the health and rehabilitation from the name , and it seems like a vacation! I guess we'll have to wait and see. My bet is that Mills River will regret letting them move there, no matter how many jobs it creates. People in Mills River, will hold the minority of those jobs there. And expect to hear a lot of ambulances, for the unfortunate residents that don't live through their stay at the Lodge.
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