• Hotline Callers
  Report Success
  Relatives can help nursing home residents when they use the information and problem solving skills they learn on FRIA's hotline.  Here are some recent examples of advocacy success.
  * A resident's wife knew something was wrong when she noticed her husband's slurred speech and increased confusion, but her questions were dismissed.  FRIA's hotline counselor recognized signs of overmedication.  With new vocabulary and confidence, the wife's next approach, to the doctor this time, got action - reduced medication and improvement.
  
  * Despite protests, the nursing home insisted that a resident transfer to a different nursing home because her short-term rehabilitation was over.  Her husband asked FRIA's hotline to help him locate another nursing home.  He was surprised to learn his wife had a right to stay where she was.  He brought material from FRIA, explaining his wife's rights, and the home backed down and let her stay.
  
  * Although worried that her aunt was developing pressure ulcers, a niece was not allowed to see her aunt's skin during diaper changes, even though she was the health care agent.  FRIA sent her a Department of Health pamphlet outlining a relative's responsibility to monitor skin condition.  Once she showed this pamphlet to the nursing home, they agreed to her presence.
   

Are you having problems with a nursing home?  Is your relative or friend not getting the quality of care he deserves?  Contact FRIA's hotline 212-732-4455 for advocacy strategies and for information about your family's rights. We'll walk you through the process of resolving problems and connect you with other families who have relatives at the same facility.
FRIA's hotline is bilingual (Spanish/English) and is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 AM -5 PM