Presence McAuley Manor

My mother was here for three weeks (and might have to go back later). I was happy overall with her care. The staff was all friendly. The nurses were responsive. Call lights were usually answered in a timely manner. Medications were given accurately but not always explained throughly. The physical therapy staff is good. The cafeteria food is bland but healthy for the demographic they are serving. Cafeteria staff did seem to be somewhat overwhelmed. I could feel a lot of irritation and sarcasm from them projected onto the residents. I felt bad for the older people who didn’t realize who snidely they were being treated. Compared to other facilities in the area, this seems to be the best option. I wish they provided education to the patients and families, like maybe diabetes education. My mom still doesn’t get what she’s supposed to eat and when. The other negative is that this building is ANCIENT! They have new lift transporters but it really needs a make over. This is probably the original convent building and it shows. My other issue is that Jaime, the case manager assisted Medicare in having my mom sent home several weeks earlier than her surgeon wanted. This was made worse in that he assured my family he would handle the ordering of a wheelchair and hospital bed (which she was completely dependent upon) and he «was busy and forgot». She was still pushed out with no where safe to sleep the first night. We even called the administrator, Brian at 9pm to ask where the bed was and no one had the courage or courtesy to call us back. Be careful when your loved one gets discharged and don’t count on your physicians orders to mean much. You will go home when they and your insurance say.

McAuley once had a great reputation as a wonderful and caring facility, but just recently with new management (and the recent merger of Provena & Resurrection), the care has declined drastically, no fault of the caregivers there. The culpability falls within managements’ power. Recently there had been many senior falls with serious life-​threatening injuries due to the cutting down of nursing staff hands-​on care. Just within 3 weeks — 18 seniors had fallen, some with head injuries and fractures, resulting in 2 possible deaths pending a TEN day Illinois Department of Public Health investigation. How many can testify that your loved one did not receive the proper medication within a timely manner detrimental to their health and were not properly screened so the facility’s’ healthcare staff can take care of them properly? The administrator’s at the time, lacking healthcare experience, allowed all this to happen to keep his job at Presence Corporate. However, he did resign shortly thereafter, probably forced by Presence Corporate. It’s all public knowledge. The activity department? SAD. Why? Not because of the activity department personnel, but because they are denied funds by management/​corporate. However, did you hear about the $ 147 million dollar medical building — PRESENCE HEALTH (the largest non-​for-​profit Catholic Healthcare Organization in Illinois) is building down-​town-​Chicago on your loved ones $$$$? There is good reason why census is LOW and once dedicated staff members have moved on, not sharing in McAuley’s ignominy. In fact some of their most dedicated and caring caregivers initiated and participated in this investigation, risking their jobs for the safety of their patients! Bless all of you. Call the Illinois Department of Public Health for an update on their 10 day investigation to see what they found. After all isn’t your loved one worth it?