Home Instead - Asheville, NC

Pros

• The Home Instead employee was helpful in moving the oxygen machine for the patient's convenience.
• The different Home Instead employee provided assistance and care to the patient during their visit.
• The Home Instead staff were professional in helping the patient change and providing necessary equipment.
• The finger monitor utilized by the patient helped in monitoring their oxygen levels.
• The initial Home Instead employee showed concern by moving the oxygen machine back to the bedroom.
• The family appreciated the assistance provided by Home Instead in taking care of their father.

Cons

• The Home Instead employee irresponsibly moved the oxygen machine without ensuring it was properly plugged in, resulting in the patient being left without oxygen for over 12 hours.
• The lack of accountability and responsibility shown by Home Instead in handling the situation is highly disappointing.
• The patient's condition deteriorated significantly after being deprived of oxygen for an extended period, indicating negligence on the part of Home Instead.
• The incompetence displayed by multiple employees of Home Instead resulted in a tragic outcome for the patient.
• Despite the grave consequences of their actions, there has been no acknowledgement or acceptance of responsibility from Home Instead regarding their role in the incident.

Review

In a deeply troubling incident involving a reputable caregiving service, Home Instead, the life of an elderly patient was dramatically altered due to a series of unfortunate events surrounding his use of oxygen therapy. This situation not only highlights the critical importance of proper care and communication in home healthcare settings but also raises questions about accountability and the standards of service provided by caregivers.

The patient, who relied on an oxygen machine to assist with his breathing difficulties, had been receiving care from Home Instead for an extended period. On one particular day, while the patient's family took him out for dinner, one of the agency?s employees exhibited a lack of attention to detail that would have dire consequences. The employee moved the oxygen machine from its designated spot in the bedroom to the living room so that it was accessible to the patient while he rested there. However, upon their return from dinner, they discovered that not only had the machine been relocated back to his bedroom?without being plugged back in?but it had also left their father without essential oxygen support for over 12 hours.

This oversight became critical when a second caregiver arrived to assist their father after dinner. In what should have been a straightforward routine?helping him change into comfortable clothes and ensuring his oxygen levels were maintained?the new employee failed to verify whether the oxygen machine was operational. Tragically, she simply handed him an oxygen mask and turned on what was essentially an inactive device due to its unplugged state. Within this span, which felt excruciatingly lengthy for both family members and caregivers alike, their father suffered immensely from a lack of adequate oxygen supply.

After several hours passed unnoticed by anyone monitoring his condition or recognizing potential warning signs, disaster struck when family members returned home the next morning. They found their father in distress; he was incoherent and speaking gibberish?a clear indication that something had gone terribly wrong during those critical hours without assistance. Alarmingly low readings on his finger monitor indicated that his blood oxygen levels were below 80%, marking an immediate cause for concern regarding his health status.

The emotional toll on the family cannot be understated as they witnessed this alarming decline in their father's condition just days before he succumbed entirely. Within 48 hours following this incident marked by negligence?from improper handling of essential medical equipment by trained professionals?their once-vibrant loved one had deteriorated beyond recognition. The sense of urgency transformed into absolute despair as they grappled with losing someone so dear under circumstances they felt could have been prevented.

Moreover, throughout this harrowing experience, there has been an unsettling lack of accountability from Home Instead or any representatives associated with their services. Despite acknowledging how significant lapses lead directly to such tragic outcomes, no responsible party has come forward to address or mitigate these failings adequately even after heartbreaking revelations came to light. Families entrust caregivers with immense responsibility: ensuring safety and well-being during those vulnerable years characterized by dependency on others for care.

In conclusion, this distressing account serves as a stark reminder of both how fragile situations can become within home healthcare environments and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive training among caregivers concerning equipment management protocols?as well as ongoing assessments regarding patients' needs through consistent communication among all parties involved in caregiving processes. It is imperative that organizations like Home Instead recognize situations where accountability is warranted and take necessary corrective actions moving forward?to prevent further tragedies like this one from occurring again.

This part of Asheville, North Carolina, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for those considering senior living. With multiple physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals within close proximity, residents can easily access healthcare services. There are also several cafes and restaurants nearby for socializing and enjoying meals. The area is home to beautiful parks like Lake Julian Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation. Places of worship such as Biltmore Baptist Church and St John's Episcopal Church offer spiritual nourishment for residents seeking a sense of community. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with a variety of resources to support a comfortable and fulfilling retirement lifestyle.

Physicians

• Biltmore Plastic Surgery (0.1 miles)
• Forest Dermatology (0.5 miles)
• Cataloochee Dental Group-Asheville (0.9 miles)
• Asheville Eye Associates (1.8 miles)
• Mission Health (1.9 miles)
• Cancer Centers of North Carolina (2 miles)
• Clinic (2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Taco Billy (4.5 miles)
• BattleCat Coffee Bar (4.5 miles)
• Vortex Doughnuts (4.5 miles)
• Pollen (4.8 miles)
• Green Sage Cafe Downtown (4.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Ingles Market (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Ingles Market (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (4.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Mission St Joseph's (0.9 miles)
• Mission Hospital Operating Room (3.6 miles)
• Mission Childrens Hospital (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (1.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Juicy Lucy's Burger Bar and Grill (1.6 miles)
• Tupelo Honey (1.7 miles)
• Apollo Flame Bistro (1.9 miles)
• Hillman Beer (2.7 miles)
• Corner Kitchen (2.8 miles)
• Yum Poke Spot (3.1 miles)
• El Chapala (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Lake Julian Park (3.3 miles)
• Blue Ridge Parkway (3.6 miles)
• Memorial Stadium (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Biltmore Baptist Church (3.4 miles)
• St John's Episcopal Church (5 miles)