Markley Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center

Diane I

March 4, 2022

My siblings and I have complained numerous times about some ongoing issues our Mother has endured since her arrival in August. We have been promised repeatedly they will be resolved. She is currently in the ICU unit suffering from severe issues caused from the repercussions of the poor care and neglect from Markley. My sister and I were there Tuesday and were alarmed to see the condition our Mother was in. We demanded to have someone check her vitals and the staff that was sent were not qualified, they didn’t know how to use the oxygen machine, which my Mom needed due to her alarmingly low levels, as well as all of her other levels. The amazing nurse, who had just started working there the day before, explained to us in detail their findings & what our rights were, and my sister and I asked her to call the ambulance immediately. If not for her help and our visit, I am certain our Mother would not have made it through the night! I was there the the Saturday prior and it was evident to me that because of her now conditions, she was neglected. She is so dehydrated and malnourished, it’s pathetic!! The food service there are the lowest grade I’ve ever seen. I am a Food Service Specialist and am well aware of the grade of food at Markley. My Mother has never received any dietary services or restricted meals for her health issues. Our family brings her as many meals possible and we also have healthy snacks and breakfast alternatives delivered as soon as she runs low. The patients and staff actually steal them and I have to constantly hide them. I only leave out what she needs until I come back. I actually witnessed a nurse or aide, come in and use her powdered creamer, (we supply because she never receives milk or cream for her tea), then proceeded to put her ungloved hand in the bag of veggie straws my mom was eating & took a handful! I was sickened by her boldness to look at me while doing it! My mother pleaded for me not to say anything. She is so fearful to rock the boat with them because they get angry and mistreat her when we leave. She said one aid is so rough and mean to her that she panics when she is on duty! There is also a patient with mental issues that comes in and out of mom’s room and steals her things. He broke her TV in the middle of the night while stealing. My mother called my sister frantically crying and afraid. She could’ve had a heart attack due to it. We have been promised over and over since her arrival that they would stop this man. It wasn’t until last week when we were informed that mom fell out of her bed, (another thing promised bed rails), when I freaked out and demanded to see anyone with authority. The nurses supervisor had a mesh barrier velcroed to the sides of her door, a pad was put on the side of her bed and instructions we made for her bed to be lowered at night until the rails were delivered. They were more concerned about the regulations for bed rails then they were about mom’s safety. I even offered to get them myself, but once again, assured and promised they would supply them. We did not charge this man’s family for her TV and have been sensitive to his disabilities, but the mere fact that our Mother is afraid to sleep there is unfathomable! The only time I have received any immediate reply was from the Asst. Administrator when I gave a 1 star rating. He called me and asked if I would edit it. He also called my sister and asked her if she could convince me to change it as well!! I must add, there are a handful of compassionate, caring and amazing caregivers there, whom which we have expressed repeatedly how grateful we are for them. One of our family members visit mom almost every day and are very sensitive & understanding of the repercussions Covid has caused. We go above and beyond to help out as much as possible, we bring the staff treats, we thank them for all they do, we have been extremely generous to the two aides that give mom the care she needs, but no more!! I have witnessed here and at other facilities the horrific care given to our elderly. It’s a disgrace and we should be ashamed of our country for allowing this to continually to go on! Our elderly should be treated like royalty, for they are our true educators and their wisdom from life experiences should be cherished, not diminished!!