April 20, 2011 (Meeting with Jim)

I called Jim for Dad's periodical inform-the-family meeting today.  Here are some notes:

Dad's weight is now 221.  Jim said at this same time last year he was at 175.  That is 46 pounds gained in one year...  I asked Jim if they could stop sending the "treat man" around each night, or to restrict his diet at mealtimes, but Jim said that by law, they cannot do that unless the resident themselves requests it.  I don't understand this, since the care center is in charge of taking care of his health, and excessive weight gain like that is certainly not healthy.

Dad has been dropped at least 4 times by hospital staff in the month of April alone!  This is shocking.  Apparently they are supposed to call the family every time something like this occurs, but they haven't been calling anyone.  Dad has mentioned being dropped, but he downplays it and I didn't realize it had happened so often recently.  One of the notations on his chart mentioned a large bump and laceration to his head, but Dad said it didn't hurt and said he didn't want to be taken to the hospital.  Jim will make sure that we are called and informed of anything else like this in the future.   Part of the reason for these drops is that Dad weighs so much now that he is much harder to transition from bed to chair and back.  They have been requiring that staff members use the sling to move him, but some staff members have not done that or were not notified or something.

The number of prescriptions they have Dad on is astounding.  It's in the 20s.  I am having Jim mail me a copy of all of them.

I also asked Jim to have the doctor check Dad's lungs.  He is still wheezing.  They did a chest x-ray months ago and nobody was ever notified of the results of it.  Bennett Navarro is supposed to visit Dad tomorrow.

Overall, Dad seems pretty happy and adjusted to his life in the care center.