Midwest Chick's Place

 In Washington, a woman took her mother to the hospital with a UTI (in case you don’t know, UTIs can really have an adverse effect on older folks’ mental state).  

The woman then wanted to see her mother (she’s also the mother’s Power of Attorney as well as a licensed care giver), and the hospital refused to let the woman see her mother (because folks absolutely need an advocate whether it’s at the hospital or assisted living).  Apparently the hospital tested the mother for Covid despite having no permission to do so.  In fact, the daughter specifically indicated that no Covid test should be done.

After finding this out, the daughter went to the hospital to immediately take her mother out.  And I don’t blame her.  They were performing tests without permission.  This is what happens when you’re not with your loved one every minute and they don’t have an advocate.  It’s especially bad when the parent has dementia or another cognitive issue.

The community rallied to spring the mother out of the hospital.  The hospital went into lockdown. The cops were called.  Pepper spray was deployed.  Names were called.  

Eventually the mother was released.

This underlines an issue that is really important.  For a year, the most vulnerable population has been held hostage in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and dementia units.  Their families have not been able to visit them, depriving them not only of that mental support, but leaving their loved ones without advocacy.  Even in the best of facilities, there has to be advocacy.

I’m really glad that this woman had a community who was willing to help her.