I took this case on pro bono. During my first visit to the nursing home I determined that this 91 year old woman essentially was being “held hostage” by red tape and bureaucracy! In addition, I learned that she was going to be evicted from her apartment.

As a former health care administrator, I was able to speak with the staff to get assess the situation. Apparently, Adult Protective Services (“APS”) determined that the client was mentally incapacitated in need of extensive medical support to return home. On the other hand, the psychiatrist and medical staff from the nursing home found her to have decision making capacity and to be in need of only minimal support. Since the client had no advocate, she eventually fell through the cracks and remained a “hostage” in a two-bed room.

To make matters worse, because of her blindness she was socially isolated. It was winter when I received the call from the Rabbi, so I brought the client Chanukah candy and a dreidel. (Because of her blindness, she had not seen the signs announcing events and since had neither a TV nor a radio she did not know that it was Chanukah.) Later, I brought her a radio so that she could listen to Friday evening services but reception in her room was very poor and other arrangements were needed.

Knowing the ins-and-outs of health care facilities, I understood how difficult it would be to arrange for the client to be transported to activities. Nonetheless, I arranged for her to be accompanied to holiday activities. Also, with the support of a senior physician, transport was arranged for the client to a place where she could hear the service on Friday evenings. Ultimately, APS and the nursing home reopened her case and I was able to stay the eviction. Then, the best of all things happened. I found the client’s estranged son in Ohio; mother and son were reunited and he took charge of her care.