Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Lesson
I confess: I don't write on here very often because I believe that the lack of comments means that no one reads what I write. I just learned that I am mistaken. People do read it, so I will be better about writing.
I have been asked what can you do if the program that your family member is in isn't responsive to you or worse, to your family member. I hate to say it, but there are a lot of underfunded programs out there who do little more than babysit clients all day due to lack of staff or lack of funds to provide training. Been there - done that. Only with my program, I took the initiative to create my own training materials and other useful materials to assist my staff. But back to the question at hand. What can you do?
You can approach the Director of the program in a calm manner and ask them what they do to keep your family member engaged during the day. Ask if there is any way they can provide more staff training. Ask what kinds of assessments they have done to learn all they can about the client and what makes this person tick. Ask to see the client's Individual Service Plan (or whatever they may call it). That's the plan that outlines the client's stated Long Range Goals and Objectives with timelines to help them learn specific skills. If they can't or won't show you those documents, be afraid... be very afraid. You should have been invited to those planning meetings in the first place! Are the plans specific and realistic?
Ask what kinds of adult appropriate activities they provide for their clients during the day. What staffing to client ratio do they operate under? Ask if you can observe your family member in an activity and see what staff is doing. Do they treat your family member like an adult? Do they engage them even if the client is non-verbal and appears to be "low functioning"?
If daily personal care is an issue (the client is coming home in dirty pants), gently remind the Director that care and supervision should be their number one concern, and if it isn't you will report them to whatever state agency oversees them. This is non-negotiable! But also be aware that it may not be the agency. I had an irate parent read me the riot act once because her son was coming home in dirty pants. I talked to the client's staff person who assured me that he changed the client every day. I even was present for a period of time while the staff person checked the client during the day and at the end of the day to see if they needed changing. The client was leaving our facility clean. I suggested to the parent that perhaps the client was soiling themselves on the van on the ride home. That didn't go very well, but the parent finally grudgingly admitted that it was a possibility.
If the Director isn't willing to assure you and show you whatever documents you should be able to see, then move on to the client's Service Coordinator. This is the person (may use a different title in your state) who was in charge of finding a placement for your family member. Tell them that you are concerned.
If you still get no reasonable response, it might be time to look for another program. Lack of funding is an excuse that only goes so far. Lack of care is inexcusable and needs to be reported..
Not every program is appropriate for every client. That's OK. Don't be afraid to explore other possibilities to find the right fit for your family member.
I have been asked what can you do if the program that your family member is in isn't responsive to you or worse, to your family member. I hate to say it, but there are a lot of underfunded programs out there who do little more than babysit clients all day due to lack of staff or lack of funds to provide training. Been there - done that. Only with my program, I took the initiative to create my own training materials and other useful materials to assist my staff. But back to the question at hand. What can you do?
You can approach the Director of the program in a calm manner and ask them what they do to keep your family member engaged during the day. Ask if there is any way they can provide more staff training. Ask what kinds of assessments they have done to learn all they can about the client and what makes this person tick. Ask to see the client's Individual Service Plan (or whatever they may call it). That's the plan that outlines the client's stated Long Range Goals and Objectives with timelines to help them learn specific skills. If they can't or won't show you those documents, be afraid... be very afraid. You should have been invited to those planning meetings in the first place! Are the plans specific and realistic?
Ask what kinds of adult appropriate activities they provide for their clients during the day. What staffing to client ratio do they operate under? Ask if you can observe your family member in an activity and see what staff is doing. Do they treat your family member like an adult? Do they engage them even if the client is non-verbal and appears to be "low functioning"?
If daily personal care is an issue (the client is coming home in dirty pants), gently remind the Director that care and supervision should be their number one concern, and if it isn't you will report them to whatever state agency oversees them. This is non-negotiable! But also be aware that it may not be the agency. I had an irate parent read me the riot act once because her son was coming home in dirty pants. I talked to the client's staff person who assured me that he changed the client every day. I even was present for a period of time while the staff person checked the client during the day and at the end of the day to see if they needed changing. The client was leaving our facility clean. I suggested to the parent that perhaps the client was soiling themselves on the van on the ride home. That didn't go very well, but the parent finally grudgingly admitted that it was a possibility.
If the Director isn't willing to assure you and show you whatever documents you should be able to see, then move on to the client's Service Coordinator. This is the person (may use a different title in your state) who was in charge of finding a placement for your family member. Tell them that you are concerned.
If you still get no reasonable response, it might be time to look for another program. Lack of funding is an excuse that only goes so far. Lack of care is inexcusable and needs to be reported..
Not every program is appropriate for every client. That's OK. Don't be afraid to explore other possibilities to find the right fit for your family member.
