My mom was admitted to the nursing home back in November. The day she was admitted, she signed a lot of papers. I believe I signed one. Whatever I needed to sign, I signed as "My Name, POA for My Mother's Name". I was promised copies of those papers. To make a long story short, I still have not received copies of what either I or my mother signed and am getting nowhere in requesting them. The home changed it's social services person and the new person sent me copies of my mom's POA and DNR but not any admissions paperwork. I have requested them several times since and even spoke with the administrator. The administrator told me that they have no paperwork with my signature on it and that they would get me a copies of what she signed but I never receive them. The administrator also told me that my attorney filled out my mom's POA all wrong and therefore the POA is wrong. I even wrote them a letter requeting the copies when I sent in her check and never even received a reply to that. One gal even told me she put them in the mail already - a couple weeks later they are stil not here. Others keep telling me they will get them to me - but it never happens. Another left me a voice mail saying she couldn't send them because of HIPPA. The adminstrator corrected that and said, yes, I can have them and she will get them to me - yet I never receive them. They are always 'getting them' or 'getting the file' and I never receive them. Any suggestions? What is my recourse in this. The local ombudsman does not seem to carry that much weight with them unfortunately. Thanks in advance.

Priscilla, hello.You may have to contact a lawyer to get this rectified.If they are unable to deal with paper work what else are they unable to deal with.I am surprised they did not give you a copy of the papers you signed.
Things are not difficult enough they have to add to those difficulties.They are dragging their feet.Having a lawyer may help them remember things alot better.
Good luck and keep us posted, ok

Thanks. Money is extremely tight and I was hoping not to have to hire an attorney. I just don't know what to do anymore to get the copies of what she/I signed. This place is our only option. It's the only home that would take her on Medicaid and I feel almost like I'm at their mercy. It's very disconcerting.

priscilla, That is a strange thing that they can't/won't give you copies. Other than telling them that your lawyer will be asking for the papers, (you might be able to bluff) is there anyone higher up to speak with? I know that more than once I have had to park my bottom and insist to talk with a supervisor. I hate to threaten because of the combative attitude it generates, scared my LO will end up a hostage. Still, thinly veiled prods often are the trick. To say,"OK, so does my lawyer need any special forms to get this straightened out?" may get the point across.

I agree with Mae though. If they can't do the papers, what else can't they do? Still, a bad secretary isn't the one taking care of your Mom.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobcat:
priscilla, That is a strange thing that they can't/won't give you copies. Other than telling them that your lawyer will be asking for the papers, (you might be able to bluff) is there anyone higher up to speak with? I know that more than once I have had to park my bottom and insist to talk with a supervisor. I hate to threaten because of the combative attitude it generates, scared my LO will end up a hostage. Still, thinly veiled prods often are the trick. To say,"OK, so does my lawyer need any special forms to get this straightened out?" may get the point across.

I agree with Mae though. If they can't do the papers, what else can't they do? Still, a bad secretary isn't the one taking care of your Mom.

Part of me is wondering if they lost them and that's why they can't/won't give me copies although they did give me copies of her POA and DNR which I already have (I have that to them). I've already gone to the top and spoken to the administrator. She's the one who told me that they have nothing at all with my signature on it and she insisted that I never signed anything when my mom was admitted. Hmmm.... Then she told me that she would get the copies of what my mom signed to me and they never arrived. Each phone call I place, I get the same answer - that they will make sure I get copies of them and I never do. Last month when I sent her check in, I wrote a letter asking for the copies and kept a copy for myself just so I had a paper trail for my requests. I plan on sending in another letter with this next check but it's ridiculous now. It's going on 6 months in May that she's in the home now and still no copies? Did they lose them or what. Something's not right here. And just for the reasons you're saying, I don't really want to get the ombudsman (or even an attorney) involved because my mom literally is 'hostage' there. The home is a good solid hour away too so it's not like I can be there every day for extended periods of time either. I might have to mention a lawyer in a way that you suggested - it's 'light' but it gets the message across. I'm not sure what else to do. The administrator's contention to me too that my mom's attorney did not fill out her POA correctly either concerns me. She's claiming it's not a valid POA and therefore my mother does not have a Power of Attorney. What??? It was made up by an elder law attorney several years back and no one else has ever taken issue with it. I feel confident that the POA has been drawn up correctly. Something's just not right here and I can't put my finger on it. To date I have not received even one statement from them. No monthly bill. No nothing. I've been to her two Care Planning Meetings which are held quarterly but that's not anything to do with bills, copies, etc. That's the nurse going over what her care is. This is the strangest thing. Something's not right here.