AL residents told they can no longer eat downstairs with the IL residents or they will be charged. There is no communication about this and still when I ask there is nothing written but they were stopped from going down the elevator at dinner time. Is this legal or what can I do or say to the director and the new head of food and beverage who are dictating these new procedures. This is in Illinois.
I had never thought of this dining room situation before. Before signing up for independent living, be sure there is not too much interaction with higher levels of care. It can really be depressing for the independent residents. They are not paying to be exposed to this situation. I am not at all against anyone in AL or SNF, they should just be separated. Remember that AL includes cognitively impaired individuals. It is probably considered stimulating for AL population to be around independent adults, but it should not be expected for IL residents to have to deal with these things.
In some facilities, the independent residents may act as volunteers with residents at higher care levels. They may transport wheelchair users to PT, or be friendly visitors to play cards, or even have lunch together occasionally, but they are VOLUNTEERING their time. Socializing should not be required.
And for lealonnie1's complaint about walkers, get over it. Lots of people use walkers and rollators without being in AL. Ask me how I know.
I'm not truly sure how the facility gets to charge AL patients extra for their meals. Where I am, meals are a part of your regular fees.
A person in AL that needs help with eating or may be prone to aspiration may need help and in IL there is no help.
A friend of mine was in IL and the staff could noting to physically help an IL resident. If they fell they could call 911. But there could be no "hands on" help.
So if a group of residents from AL all traipse down to IL for a meal there is no staff to help them if it is needed. And this does place an extra burden on the staff that is there to "help and serve" the IL residents. So if the facility has 50 IL residents and they staff a meal for 50 and all of a sudden 10 extra people show up this takes time and attention from the people that are actual residents of IL.
This of what happens to you in a restaurant, you are having a nice meal and all of a sudden a large group of 10 people show up and now you have to wait because your waitress/waiter is slammed.
I would think that this is probably in your contract or it may be worded such that they can make a change if actions of residents compromise workplace efficiency or safety