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My 93 and 95-year old parents have been in AL for two years (after several years of IL).
The place they chose near me has had horrible food for years (and yes, I have investigated many places with better food, but parents don't want to move...just complain).
Since they have been confined to quarters, the way food has been handled has changed multiple times: 1) eat in dining room but tables and people spread out; 2) eat only in room with usual menu; 3) eat in room but pre-ordering from menu; 4) now, only one meal choice available for B,L,D in room (i.e., NO CHOICE).
I think this is appalling... not everyone can or wants to eat the same foods. For example, my dad has stage 4 kidney disease and diabetes, but is forced to eat high carb meals with no protein available at breakfast many days, which causes his blood-sugar to spike. Yesterday, he did not get breakfast until 10:00 a.m., which is really bad for diabetics who should eat every 3 or 4 hours to maintain steady blood sugar.
I understand everyone is scrambling to provide care and comfort, but this place seems really terrible. No amount of talking to management is helpful, and the State of AZ has no protections in place compared to many other states (I have spoken to policy-makers/advocates at the state level).
What have others experienced???

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I eat protein bars and Vega One shakes a lot. I don't have the luxury of even one choice of a homemade meal prepared for me. Perhaps if you have already taken this to the state level, you might want to rethink your expectations at this time and use your time and energy to creatively encourage your parents to do for themselves what they can. Considering the limited resources at this time, and the fact that they don't want to move, I would have a blender and instant packaged protein shakes delivered to them. There are a lot of delicious options in protein shakes and bars out there. I understand that this is not the response you were expecting to receive, yet I hope that you do give it some thought before angrily brushing it off as an unacceptable option.
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Judy, the facility's attitude is really unfortunate. And if your parents don't want to move (when this is over) and if they won't/can't take advantage of the good choices you bring them, I think your hands are tied until they need a higher level of care.

I did not realize that Arizona had such unfriendly-to-seniors policies, and favor the rights of businesses. I agree with CM that at least in part, there is a situational factor in this, but as you point out, they have gone out of their way NOT to be accommodating to your father's very real medical needs.
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I agree with the advice to supplement their food as much as possible, if they don't or can't have a fridge look for shelf stable options. I'm sorry, but as frustrating as this feels now things are only going to get worse, even the best and most proactive facilities are scrambling to find useful strategies to keep their residents and staff safe.
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The diabetes issue, for me, underlines how very rarefied our expectations have become.

It's simple: a diabetic should be closely monitored, and eat every 3 or 4 hours to maintain blood sugars within range. I agree - of course I agree! Everybody agrees!

Making it happen, now. The insulin round District Nurse I met on Tuesday explained (as though to a dim child, but I didn't let it rile me) how important it was that our new client had her four calls a day at 8, 12, 4 and 8, so could we please make sure of that.

No. We couldn't. Sorry! Our first call is at 7. Each call lasts 45 minutes. We may have up to six "breakfast" calls on a round. The calls may be five minutes distant from each other, or they may be twenty minutes' drive apart. The call may take 45 minutes, or it might be 20, or it might be an hour and a half. The ONLY call time we can guarantee is the 7 a.m. slot. And it's taken.

Surely we can prioritise our diabetic clients?

Which ones? Of the five clients I saw on Thursday, three were diabetic.

In a facility it should be easier, of course; but at the moment the care staff will be doing the catering staff's jobs as well (and possibly vice versa, a bit). How many of the residents are diabetic, would you guess? And how long does it take to get breakfast to individuals' suites, when nobody is using the dining room and each resident now requires individual support?

It is a complete sh*t-storm out there. The frustration for families and friends of knowing it is and not being able to help is horrendous, but please please don't let that frustration result in giving the staff an even harder time than they're already having.

But all positive, workable solutions are welcome!
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Judysai422 Apr 2020
It would be easier to a cept if this was only happening now, but it has been happening at their place for 2 years.
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Oh boy.

It is appalling. But you know, of course, that it isn't a policy question - it's a what can we do about this right now, today, question.

The ALF is probably doing its best. Its best is probably pretty dreadful for reasons beyond their control.

What are the managers trying to do? Can they, for example, work with local retailers to get deliveries sent in? Can they ensure that each room has a basic stock of non-perishable foods for residents to help themselves to? Our go-to food for low blood sugar (when our calls overlap with the insulin nurse, for example) is half a banana, just to buy time for breakfast prep. Would your Dad drink a glass of milk, or eat a yoghurt, if he has a mini-fridge in his room? You can get UHT products, too, which don't have to be stored in the fridge (until opened) - how about those, could you deliver them to the facility?

State protections are out of the window when you have no staff, deliveries are compromised, and no one is allowed onto the premises to lend a hand. What would you like to be able to do to help? - not a challenge or a criticism, I'm seeking ideas!
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Judysai422 Apr 2020
Honestly, I take them stuff, like bananas the other day, and have supplied them with stuff for their cupboard, but either my dad forgets they are there or does not want to bother to help himself. I offered to take him hard boiled eggs or eggs with a poacher he can use in microwave, but he says not to...he won't cook them.
Really wanting to know if others are experiencing the same. I have reconciled that there is not much I can do except listen to their complaints and provide them with what they ask for.
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If they have or are allowed to have a fridge, I would stock it with protein that dad can add to his breakfast (cheese sticks come to mind).

Has his doctor written orders for his diet and the timing of his meals?
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Judysai422 Apr 2020
Docs write orders, facility says they cannot accomodate and if we don't like it, move. Az is not a consumer friendly state; all it cares about is business. Have contacted state agencies and they say there is nothing they can do as the facility is following the law.
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Judy,
Maybe make a phone call to the local ombudsman! They are there to help you.
Also, Counsel on aging services is a good resource.
Hang in there !
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Does your parents' unit have a refrigerator in it? If not, would they be allowed to have one?
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Judysai422 Apr 2020
It is a dorm size one with a tiny freezer. I have made some soup and it is in their freezer. I have also provided them with cereal, instant oatmeal, microwave ready pasta and jars of sauce, apple sauce, fruit, pudding, etc. They rarely use any of it.
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I don’t have an answer but want to say that I am truly sorry that your parents are going through this dilemma.

It’s hard on them and hard on you to witness. I hope it’s resolved as soon as possible.

Best wishes to you and your family.
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Bumping your question up so others can see and reply
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