Wonderful Feedback. Thanks! Here are some answers and the rest of the story...

  • Yes, Mom is celiac and this exacerabates the problem...
  • The doctors are involved and agree that "a couple of drinks a day" is manageable
  • the 'source' is not an employee of the facility, and someone currently unknown to us (although I got a couple of suspects out of bed at 3AM this morning)


While understanding that no one was endorsing drinking, I understand that to restrict their access is harsh and possibly impossible. The issue:
  • their care is currently costing about $8,000/mo. If they're kicked out of the facility, there are limited affordable options with the next level being private care costing about $20,000/mo. It can be done, but not forever.
  • alternatively, they could drink themselves into a nursing home (which medicare would ironically cover) but this would be very bleak...and I guess I'm compelled to protect them from that outcome (even if that's what it takes for them to hit bottom...)


In our visit today:
  • Mom was VERY sore and seemed to have regret over what happened (despite limited recollection)
  • She's "promising" that if we'll just let her have her 6 oz....she'll live up to her "promise" THIS TIME...
  • I've reminded her that her word has little meaning when she continues to lie and then break her promises
  • I've told her that we'll only consider allowing continued access IF she accepts our requirement that she get counseling starting this week


So, I'm accepting that we will not mandate a change of attitude and that I can't restrict an adults will...but I'm hoping that a counselor will expand her selfish perspective and help her see the implications of her choices.