Growing Old

Series highlights assisted living issues

The Tulsa World’s recently concluded series on assisted living facilities graphically, sometimes painfully, illustrated the many issues Oklahomans must face when that alternative becomes necessary.

Certainly there are many well-operated assisted living centers throughout Oklahoma. But Projects Editor Ziva Branstetter’s review of 2006 inspection reports uncovered some disturbing findings: 26 out of 44 homes cited for violations related to medication; 16 of 44 homes cited for violating residents’ rights; 15 out of 44 homes cited for housing residents whom they were unable to care for properly.

Branstetter found that progress is being made on some fronts. A new state law, for example, allows a “plan of accommodation” to be developed for residents whose conditions otherwise might require they be moved to a higher level of care. This will allow Oklahomans to stay in places where they are comfortable, and also will help keep married couples together.

The series also noted that a growing array of services and activities are being offered. Dining options, transportation, social and recreational programs, and wellness and exercise activities are becoming more common.

But tragic developments still occur. One Oklahoma City family is suing a chain of assisted living centers, alleging it was responsible for their mother’s wrongful death through dehydration. In another case, a resident died after an aide accidentally gave him the wrong medication.

Also detailed were cases of a resident who suffered multiple broken bones one evening in a fall, but wasn’t discovered until the next day; of a woman who suffered a stroke on a Saturday night but was not seen by a doctor until the following Monday because staff would not “call the doctor at night.”

A spokeswoman for the state Health Department said inspectors are uncovering more serious problems as they get to overdue inspections. Dorya Huser indicated more penalties may be invoked “because of the medical neglect we are seeing.”

No doubt facilities are facing more challenges as their resident population grows — a trend that likely will continue as baby boomers age and demand improved choices. That insistence undoubtedly will lead to significant improvements in this system of care. As one national association spokesman put it, “The best assisted living is yet to come.”

Most Oklahomans will wonder why today’s elderly can’t enjoy that higher quality of life. Certainly Branstetter’s work will help move assisted living in that direction.

(c) 2007 Tulsa World. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.