Ron, That is a rather odd experience to express the least. Considering the state of affairs of most nursing homes I have been in, it would seem that there are more prevalent elder abuse concerns they could be addressing Jimmie
-----Original Message----- From: Ron Carson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 9:33 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [OTlist] Recent Article in OT Practice re: Elder Abuse This message was originally sent to OT Practice. The editor suggested that I post the message to different list serves. Ron ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I applaud Mary Jean Lafta's effort (Vol 8:12) in bringing elder abuse to the forefront of OT Practice readers. However, I would like to raise readers concerns about being accused of elder abuse during the conduct of therapeutic intervention. Recently, I was required to defend my occupational therapy treatment because a concerned nursing attendant overheard my therapeutic lunch-time conversation with a resident. The conversation in question was about the how the resident's son was reacting to the resident's appointment of a power of attorney. The son had recently visited the facility and made public comments about how he was angry with his mother for not appointing him as power of attorney. Because the resident in question suffered from occupational deprivation due to her isolation in a nursing home, it was my goal to use relevant and important topics to encourage the resident to re-engage her life. As part of my treatment, the resident and I set a 'lunch date' at the facility's dining hall. During our lunch, I was reviewing recent events in the resident's life, including her son's recent visit. The nursing attendant, who was serving other residents, overheard me talking with the resident about her 'finances' and power of attorney. As a concerned employee, she went to the facilities's director who later called both myself and supervisor into his office. After several minutes of explaining my intervention, the director quickly dismissed the attendant's concerns. The entire experience left me feeling a bit weary. I later thanked the attendant for her concern and offered to explain my treatment. An offer that she did not take up. I certainly believe that elder abuse is a much maligned and often overlooked problem but a certain amount of prudence is warranted before someone 'blows the whistle' on a health care provider. Sincerely, Ron Carson MHS, OTR/L *****************************��********************************** To remove yourself from the OTnow mail list, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist - List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] *****************************��*********************************** *****************************��********************************** To remove yourself from the OTnow mail list, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist - List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] *****************************��***********************************
