Assisted Living Sterling House

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 9, 2004

Has anyone worked with them? I am trying to find out about their reputation.
renerian

We have one local, and I've not heard anything bad about it. i actually did 2 clinical days there and found it to be really nice.

renerian, BSN, RN · May 9, 2004

Thanks for the input. I thought it was odd that no nurse would be there at night. only RAs.

renerian

KaroSnowQueen, RN · May 9, 2004

We have one near here too. I didn't realize they were a chain? I haven't worked there, but people who have say it is a decent place. My grandmother's sister was a patient there for a couple of years and the family was very pleased with the care.

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 9, 2004

Thanks for the input. I thought it was odd that no nurse would be there at night. only RAs.
renerian

While I was there, I saw that an LPN was there only M-F 9-5. The RA's passed meds, provided pt care and also did housekeeping. They also had to wash dishes on the eve shifts. FWIW, I worked at an assisted living place that allowed non credentialed folks to pass meds. I was not a CNA, not even in nsg school and neither were my coworkers. After I started school, it flipped me out that it was even legal for that to happen. Pt's BP's only get taken once or twice a month at most of the AL's around here. I wouldn't feel comfortable as a nurse at either facility just becuase of the lack of training the RA's have. (I know some probably do train better, but I passed meds after 2 days of observing someone else do it. No real formal training and no drug book in sight)

renerian, BSN, RN · May 9, 2004

Yeah that is rather bothering me as well. I guess the day shift home health coordinator is on call all night after working all day, and has to go in on 3rd if anything happens. Plus the HCC is the only nurse during the day. I think it is cut way to thin.

renerian

southern rn · May 9, 2004

My husband was maintenance director for the one here in our town a few years back when it first opened. I don't remember hearing anything bad about it from him then or any since -patients transferred into the hospital, etc. I worked a shift (yes, one) at a different assisted living couple of years back and they had only aides after 11pm. Sorta blew me away, but it must be a fairly common practice.

Nurse Ratched, RN · May 9, 2004

Having only one nurse is not at all an unusual setup for an assisted living facility (which is why they are called that and not "nursing homes.")

There are Alterra Sterling Houses here. Had a co-worker who used to be the nurse at one (note "used to be.") I think she got tired of worrying about what her liability would be if something happened, particularly in instances where perhaps folks were accepted who didn't meet criteria because they did meet the most important criteria - enough money to pay for the expensive setting. I suspect it depends on whomever is running the joint, like most work settings.

renerian, BSN, RN · May 10, 2004

My concern was a high level almost 80% of clients with mental impairment and I read the regs at it says a person has to have appropriate mentality so those clients would not meet the criteria for med assistance by an unlicensed tech. HMMMMMMM something to think about. I understand that the departments of health are considering increased the regs since so many clients need alot more care than being "independent".

renerian

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 10, 2004

My concern was a high level almost 80% of clients with mental impairment and I read the regs at it says a person has to have appropriate mentality so those clients would not meet the criteria for med assistance by an unlicensed tech. HMMMMMMM something to think about. I understand that the departments of health are considering increased the regs since so many clients need alot more care than being "independent".
renerian

At the particular AL place that I worked, they commonly kept and or accepted pts who were way too far gone for AL. I was reading thru charts one day and there were actual progress notes by md's that recommended nh placement. but its all about the dollar.

casperbjs · May 10, 2004

I was going to work for them in the Alzheimer's unit on Friday nights only. Well they expected me to sweep and mop the dining room and kitchen, plus clean units that were empty besides doing usual duties. That lasted 2 weeks, maybe!

renerian, BSN, RN · May 10, 2004

Casper I did forget to add that. I was told they no longer have housekeeping staff and the RAs do that. Why would anyone want to pay an RN to do housework? Rather expensive housekeeper I would say.

renerian