Recently, an elderly resident suffered a cardiac event while while eating at home. What makes this daily, if not hourly, event
national news is that she had her event in the dining room of her
independent living facility, which, by law, is not required to provide any medical assistance. Despite fervent pleas by the 911 operator to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the resident services director (apparently a nurse) refused to do so citing
corporate policy.
Remember that an independent living facility is very different from an
assisted living facility which, in turn, is very different from a
skilled nursing facility (commonly referred to as a
nursing home). An ILF is most like any apartment complex and provides no medical services or assistance w/activities of daily living. In contrast, an ALF provides assistance w/ADLs On the other hand, a SNF provides around-the-clock skilled nursing.
So be very clear where you're going to live. Is it an ILF, ALF or SNF? What services will they provide? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation? More importantly, do you have your paperwork in order?
If you don't want CPR, do you have readily accessible paperwork stating as such? And do your family members know what you (don't) want to have happen?
Caveat emptor.
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