ALF.

10/20/24 I recently found the need to stay for a short time (8 days) at an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) and it was quite an eye-opener to me. I expected a pleasant stay, however, had an unpleasant one. I needed full personal care services, as I use a motorized wheelchair, and have limited use of my arms. I am, however, able to stand for transfers. The ALF manager assessed my needs the first day, and two-person assist was sufficient. She said to just let them know how to help. There was no problem that evening when I went to bed. The next morning they used a Hoya lift against my wishes. It was like taking to the wall when I protested, however, and they continued using it. I expressed this to the ALF manager, and it was not used again. This set the stage for a few care aides to show their annoyance that I dare to speak up. Just picture 2 care aides helping you with annoyed looks and grumbling. One morning was the worst, and really shook me up. I was waiting in bed for over 2 hours, nobody was coming and my back hurt. I had my cell so I called the desk. Nobody was available to help. A care aide finally came in, but she had to wait for a second person assist. She wanted to dress me in bed, and I told her I’m more comfortable dressing in the wheelchair. She said, and I quote: “Don’t tell me how to do my job. I know you called the desk, nobody’s going to help you and I’ll leave you in that bed”. She started walking out, and I agreed to dressing in bed. What can I do? I was at her mercy; for all I knew at the moment, I could be in bed for hours more. The 2nd person arrived, and even though I was disheveled I wanted them both out after I got in the chair. One of the 6am shift care aides suggested I arise before the 7 am shift, so I do not have to wait so long to arise. When I attempted to do that, however, the night shift told me that I cannot arise until the 6 am shift comes in, the ALF manager told me that is not true. The first time I arose at 5:30am, they protested but got me up. I also observed a few disturbing things: --a man stood up from his wheelchair in the dining room, in his attempt to stand up. He fell and hit his head on the wall, he was told, “I’m not picking you up, you’ll have to wait for 911”.--a woman in a wheelchair who could not feed herself, nor could she speak, was just left at a table. The resident next to her kindly helped as best she could . This happened on two occasions.Now I might have had a pleasant enough stay if I didn’t require personal care services. This ALF had a positive review on Yelp, perhaps because full personal care services were not needed. There are some positives: One day the ALF driver drove me to Duke Hospital to see my husband, which was quite a kind thing to do. The place is clean, has good food and is very safe. But I think about my future, and the future of others who do not speak up if they’re uncomfortable. Just try to imagine how you would feel. My goal is not to denigrate an established facility, but to educate the public. The first way towards solving a problem is recognizing that one exists. Many people will end up in a similar situation—educators, veterans, government workers, waitresses—will they speak up? For such personal care, along with the exorbitant prices they are paying, they should not have to. I have a feeling that this problem is not unique to this facility. You really could not get the essence of a place unless you live there. Remember, this was only an 8 day stay.