I'm writing this as a warning to anyone considering Cummer Lodge for their loved one.
My grandmother checked in to Cummer Lodge in early 2013. Despite memory problems associated with Alzheimer's, she was happy, conversational, loved to sing, and had a great appetite.
Three weeks ago my mother arrived for a routine visit to find my grandmother slumped over in a chair, unconscious, bubbling from her mouth, as a nurse's aid shoved food in her mouth with a spoon.
My mother immediately recognized the signs of a stroke and called on someone to immediately dial 911. A nurse from the station convinced my mom that it was best to first take her vital signs. After checking, the nurse gave my grandmother the all clear. Good heart rate. Everything was fine. But clearly everything was not fine and my mother took out her phone to dial 911. The nurse stopped her and said it was best to first consult with the on-site doctor. She slowly sauntered over to her phone and dialled the doctor. The doctor asked the nurse to check the patient's documentation to see what the family's wishes were in case of emergency. She told him our wishes were to call 911. My mother could hear the doctor say, "then why aren't you calling 911?". The ambulance arrived 5 minutes later but at that point it was too late to save my grandmother. When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. The fact that so-called professionals couldn't recognize the simple signs and how they handled the situation is completely inexcusable and almost certainly cost her her life. Ask yourself if these are the caregivers you would trust for your loved one?