u/OutlanderMom

I stumbled across a Hallmark series called The Way Home. I thought it was a teenage angst type show and almost didn’t watch it. But after a couple of episodes I was hooked! It’s got heavy Outlander vibes - time travel (modern day to the 1800s), and generations of the same families who settled in the area. The lead lady wears a tartan shawl like Claire at one point in the past. And I decided to write this post after seeing a scene that seems taken right from Outlander. She’s running barefoot through woods at night, wearing a white shift, and the camera zooms in on her mud-splashed legs and feet running, just like Claire running in the first episode. Just thought I’d share, for anyone having Outlander withdrawals.

I’m mainly venting but I do have a question or two. We moved mom to a nice AL a little over a year ago. Marble floors, a coffee bar in the lobby, lots of activities. The director and head nurse were very involved and friendly, the food was impressive (I ate with mom several times and she gave good reviews too), and they had a good aid-to-patient ratio. And the aids were all kind and competent and hard workers.

Two months after she moved in, the facility was sold to another company. They fired every single employee, down to the laundry lady. The food was slop, the aids were surly and overworked, maintenance was neglected, and the management people were rarely even in the office. It was shocking how quickly the place went downhill, and they also raised the monthly rent by $300. Mom was settled by then and didn’t want to move and start over elsewhere, so I quit researching other facilities.

Now the place has been sold again, and rumors are flying. Some residents have been told that they must use the doctor contracted to the facility, and allow the facility to supply and dispense meds. Mom gets her meds mailed to me and is perfectly capable of managing her little divided pill holders. She also likes the doctor she’s used since she moved here five years ago. The facility has cut back the aids and maintenance people even more than the last owners. Last week the battery went out on her room door - we use a bracelet thing to unlock her door. The aids weren’t able to get in, and it took them several days to get her door fixed. I was scared she would fall and need help and nobody would be able to get in. I’m sure there’s a physical key to override the door, but with nobody in the office or front desk, who knows how long that would take. The residents went several days without water (they were given water bottles for drinking), they’ve had no hot water at times. They were made to eat in their rooms (just a cold ham sandwich) several days when the A/C went out in the dining room and memory care side.

Anyway, my question is: is it worth touring some other facilities and moving her? Everything I read says that unless you’re a millionaire and can afford a country club type facility, they’re all terrible. I’ve read hundreds of reviews of places within 20 miles, and it sounds like they’re all owned by faceless corporations with profit being their only focus.

Should I contact an ombudsman to file a complaint about the neglect at her current facility? Can that be anonymous? I don’t want to make them angry with my mother there. Do we have the right to refuse their doctor and med supplier and let mom self administer?

I’m watching a British drama called Grantchester, and in S2E3, Rosie day plays the daughter (named Joan) of a mean man who is murdered. I recognized her right away, with her tiny voice and worried look. She plays a similar character, who is controlled by her father (her Godfather Duke of Sandringham in Outlander). I’ve never seen her in anything else. Just thought I’d share!

I’ve had chickens for 20 years. Each time, I set up the peeps with the heat lamp inside the coop. It’s a big shed I can stand up in. It’s got a door on one end for me to come and go, and a double door on the far end that leads to a fully fenced and roofed yard for them. I cut one of the double doors in half so I can open just the bottom. And in summer I open both doors to the yard. They start out in a cardboard enclosure, then loose in the coop until they’re fully feathered. Then one day I open the bottom half door for them to go outside.

Every flock has been hesitant to go outside at first, but within a day or two they’re all going outside to explore. But this flock (RIRs, 2.5 months old) is perfectly content to stay in the dark coop and maybe just look out of the door. It’s been several weeks now and they won’t go outside. Any idea if they’re just weirdos or what’s wrong?