You must realize that to all the folks who lived in this house it was their home. I tried not to have rules and regulations because they needed to know it was home. If they wanted to come to the breakfast table in their p j’s with a housecoat on, it was okay. If they wanted to take a nap that was fine. To my way of thinking rules and regulations were a part of a nursing home and I didn’t have a nursing home. I had a Home for the Elderly.
Of course I had problems with the state over this. When I first started my business I was very proud of what I done. Anyone who lived in my home received the best care I could give. When I made the beds I put draw sheets on so if someone wet to bed I could change it easily. By putting draw sheets on also helped the emergency squad when they responded. If a person was in bed it was much easier to move the person by lifting with the draw sheets. I know this sounds boring, dear reader, but bear with me for a minute.
When I first started, remember, I wasn’t planning on having this business but here I was taking care of the elderly. I never applied for a license because it never occurred to me I needed one for this.
One day there was a knock on the door and when I opened the door a gentleman said “I am Mr. Smith with the NY State Department of Aging and we need to inspect your home”. I said “That is fine with me, just come right in”. Well, gentle reader, he did and it was terrible. I showed him the rooms and he immediately pulled back the covers and wanted to know what the draw sheets were for. I explained why I had them and he said “You are not supposed to have people who are incontinent”!! I said “I didn’t know that and why couldn’t I have them”. He said” Only a licensed facility can care for them”. I asked about a license and he said for me to have a license I could only have four people. Well, gentle reader, I had five people and how could I send someone away?? Was I supposed to draw straws? He took down everyone’s name and said I would be hearing from the state. I was just sick!! I mean I was really sick. I couldn’t sleep and I think I was inhaling cigarettes worse than I ever had before. I loved these people and now someone was going to make me move them out. It just wasn’t right. I called a dear friend and she said “Not to worry. They won’t make anyone leave because there is no room for them anywhere.” She said “You probably won’t even hear from them for a long time.”
About two months later I received a letter from the state and it said I was going to be inspected again. I called the person who signed the letter and asked when the inspection was going to be. She said within thirty days. I can’t begin to tell you how upset I was. I cleaned and cleaned and than I did it all over again. I just wanted everything to be OK. I tried to keep the smile in place but it was not easy. What if they “shut me down??” What would happen to my people? The biggest fear was telling me to move someone out. I just could not do that.
My husband and daughter were very helpful by encouraging me to stop all the worrying. My daughter was a huge help by doing a lot of the work but it is not easy to just quit worrying.
The thirty days passed and no one showed up. I got a little bit angry to think they could just do these things and then drop it. I waited five more days and I called them!! I talked to the person who signed the letter and she said they would be here within a week.
The next morning about 10:00 AM they showed up. There were four people and they came in, walked thru the rooms said everything was ok,. I asked about having too many people and she replied, “I only see four people here so your fine”!! I think I went into complete shock. I guess it shows that some of them really have a heart.
Of course all the people were happy but they really had no idea how close they came to being made to move!!
Sometimes ignorance is bliss, right……….(:<)!!!

Love, Red