Loretto Home For the Aged

Pros

• The caregivers and staff at The Loretto Home are greatly appreciated for their efforts to keep residents safe during the pandemic.
• The family had a very good overall experience with The Loretto Home and would recommend the facility.
• Daily visits from family provided comfort and connection to the resident, allowing for shared moments and reminiscence.
• Family members attempted to advocate for the resident’s needs, demonstrating love and dedication during a challenging time.
• Some staff members were noted as empathetic and supportive, providing moments of kindness amidst difficult circumstances.

Cons

• The family felt that the Loretto Home staff were unable or unwilling to meet the grandmother's level of care, citing short staffing and a lack of time for individual attention.
• There was a disturbing incident where the grandmother's dentures went missing, causing distress, and the family suspected it may have been intentionally done to restrict their visits.
• The family expressed frustration over unresponsive and uncommunicative staff, who failed to notify them of the grandmother’s passing even after they called daily.
• The administrator was perceived as cold and uncaring, particularly during critical moments when compassion was needed most.
• Despite being under hospice care and considered "actively dying," the family felt barred from visiting their grandmother during her last days without clear justification.
• The meals provided were inappropriate for her condition, leading to concerns over her nutrition and hydration needs not being met adequately by staff.
• Family members reported feeling unwelcome and criticized for their concern and involvement in their grandmother's care, which they deemed excessive rather than compassionate.

Review

The experience of families with their loved ones at assisted living facilities can be deeply varied, marked by emotional highs and lows, particularly during sensitive times such as end-of-life care. A family’s recent ordeal with The Loretto Home in Rutland, Vermont, reveals serious concerns about the quality of care their grandmother received during her final days. Despite some positive feedback about staff efforts to keep residents safe during the pandemic, this family's experience sheds light on systemic issues within the facility that ultimately left them heartbroken and feeling unheard.

Initially, the family expressed appreciation for caregivers who worked hard to adhere to COVID-19 precautions while enabling visits from relatives when it was established that their grandmother was "actively dying." Family members were able to spend time with her, providing comfort through reminiscing and feeding her favorite meals. This aspect of care was praised; however, as their visits continued, the family began to notice troubling signs regarding staffing levels and the adequacy of care being provided.

Concerns came to a head when a staff member disclosed to both the grandmother and her family that The Loretto Home lacked sufficient resources—specifically trained personnel—to meet her grandmothers' elevated needs as she approached death. The revelation was painful for the family to hear; they realized that despite previous reassurances about the caregiving capabilities of The Loretto Home, there seemed to be a significant mismatch between what was needed and what could be offered. The absence of call buttons in vulnerable moments left their grandmother unable to summon assistance when she required it most.

Despite repeated requests from the family to transfer their grandmother to a more suitable facility where she could receive adequate care, these pleas went largely unacknowledged or ignored by staff members—including those in administrative roles. This lack of responsiveness further contributed to feelings of helplessness among family members who were concerned for her well-being. Problems intensified when inadequate meal options were regularly provided; often meals were not aligned with what she could consume or enjoy due to her advanced age and condition.

As conditions worsened, other bureaucratic actions added layers of distress. Administrative personnel appeared dismissive towards caring inquiries made by relatives about their grandmother's nutritional needs. Special requests made by worried relatives were often met with scorn or confusion by on-site staff, leading them down an even more challenging path toward securing better nourishment for their loved one—a situation compounded by missing dentures that delayed meal delivery at critical times.

The climax of distress arrived when communication lines between the family and The Loretto Home became abruptly severed. After an incident involving scrutiny over visitation limits—and an apparent miscommunication related to food requests—the administrator decided on behalf of The Loretto Home that visitation would no longer be permitted under any circumstances. While claims were made concerning improved health status for the patient, communications from hospice care contradicted this assertion as they continued treating her in line with terminal care protocols.

The turn of events culminated in tragedy when the family learned too late about their grandmother’s passing—an event they had not been notified about until after it occurred. In retrospect, they felt betrayed both emotionally and logistically; critical updates surrounding her health seemed deliberately obscured from them despite daily attempts at contact following administrative assurances they would be kept informed throughout this period.

This heartbreaking account illustrates not only a failure in communication but also questions fundamental aspects around compassion-driven eldercare within assisted living contexts like The Loretto Home—a poignant reminder for all stakeholders involved in eldercare services regarding ensuring that proper systems are maintained for both resident welfare and effective communication with families navigating these difficult experiences.

This part of Rutland, Vermont offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for senior living. With multiple parks nearby, such as Meadow Street Park and Main Street Park, seniors can enjoy nature walks and outdoor activities. There are also several places of worship in close proximity for spiritual support and community engagement. Access to healthcare is convenient with various physicians' offices and clinics nearby, including the Veterans Administration Rutland Clinic and Rutland Free Clinic. Transportation options like Amtrak and Roy's Taxi make it easy for seniors to get around town. Additionally, pharmacies like Walmart Pharmacy and Walgreens are easily accessible for medication needs. The area also features dining options ranging from casual eateries like McDonald's to more upscale restaurants like Vermont Tap House. Overall, this part of Rutland provides a comfortable and convenient setting for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community with access to essential services.

Parks

• Meadow Street Park (0.1 miles)
• Whites Playground (0.7 miles)
• Main Street Park (0.8 miles)
• Rotary Field (1.3 miles)
• Gifford Woods State Park (10.1 miles)
• Lake St Catherine State Park (13.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Alliance Community Fellowship (0.2 miles)
• Church At Rutland (0.5 miles)
• Wallingford Congregational Church (9.3 miles)
• Federated Church (9.5 miles)
• Church of Our Savior (11.5 miles)
• A Grace & Faith Family Church (13 miles)
• Revive Church (13 miles)

Physicians

• Veterans Administration Rutland Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Rutland Free Clinic (0.4 miles)
• Rutland Optical (0.5 miles)
• Convenient Medical Care PC (0.8 miles)
• Avada Hearing Care Center (0.8 miles)
• ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care (0.9 miles)
• Green Mountain Oral Surgery - Sherilynn Stofka DDS (1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.3 miles)
• Roy's Taxi (0.5 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.8 miles)
• Cape Air (5.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Beauchamp & O'rourke Pharmacists (1.2 miles)
• Rutland Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Wilcox Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Wilcox Medical (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Flagship Cinemas Rutland (0.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Strange Fellows (0.4 miles)
• Rutland Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Little Harry's (0.5 miles)
• Jones Donuts & Bakery (0.7 miles)
• Vermont Tap House (0.9 miles)
• C J's Suds South (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)

Cafes

• Leaf Cafe (0.4 miles)
• Juice Amour (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• The Depot Cafe & Bake Shop (9.3 miles)
• Back Country Cafe (10.5 miles)
• Localmotive (13.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Rutland Regional Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• The Rutland Hospital (1.5 miles)