Drugging Granny Part 1

Click Here For Printable ~ Part 2 ~ ( Conclusion )

Drugging Granny
Originally Published: April 2000
TaxPac's Chairperson, Irene W. is currently in the grip of a very strange situation involving Good Samaritan Hospital (West Islip NY), the Suffolk County District Attorney's office Suffolk County's Department of Social Services, PSA and court system.

You will be shocked by this story. We intend to expose what is happening to the aging population in Suffolk County, New York and all over the USA as they are drugged, tied up, stripped of rights and assets, all in the name of "Caring For Our Elderly"

Irene Died on May 16 2000
______________________

Irene and daughter, Pamela

A Brief history: Irene W. and her daughter Pam, spent most of their lives living in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY. In 1980, they jointly purchased their home in Suffolk County, NY . Irene worked for a Union heath plan and Pam worked as an accountant .
In 1989, Irene joined the newly formed TaxPac organization and soon became it's Chapter's Chairperson.
In 1995, Irene's daughter, Pam, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. The treatments were intense. Chemotherapy cleared up the cancer, but, the subsequent "aggressive" radiation treatment killed her immune system causing her lungs to develop a severe fungal infection. Before going into Good Samaritan hospital for the last time, Pam took me on the side and said "Joe, please look after my Mom".
I told Pam, if anything happened to her I promise to look after her Mom.
Pam died a few days later, just before Christmas in 1996. She was 50 years old.

Life goes on as they say.. Pam left behind sufficient funds for Irene to live a comfortable life. Irene's retirement benefits were sufficient for Irene to enjoy her retirement. However, without Pam, her daughter and lifelong friend, each day was just another day without Pam.
Irene went through the motions. She, at least had her three cats, which Pam and Irene cared for deeply. About a year after Pam's death, two of their cats died a week apart. The sadness compounded itself. Now, Irene lived alone with her one remaining cat "Smokey".

Irene has very good neighbors and friends. George and Cathy, Lou and Lisa and Lois.
The neighborhood kids made cute cards for her, brought the newspaper to her front steps, brought the trash cans back to the backyard.
Irene would meet her friends at Friendly's for breakfast, do a little shopping and then go home, clean the house, watch TV.
Occasionally, she would drive to Republic airport where she boarded a small shuttle jet to Harrah's in Atlantic City.
As Pam had asked me, I was looking after her Mom..but, keeping it discreet. Irene was still perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She is mentally sharp at 79 years old, but, her hip bothered her and she refused to get a hip transplant because she was afraid of surgery.

On Jan 31, 2000, Irene was having trouble breathing. I immediately made an emergency appointment with a doctor and we went in the same day. He prescribed an Antibiotic and an inhaler. (Irene has a history of emphysema). The doctor said we should get a appointment for x-rays and to come back in two weeks. We filled the prescription and I drove her home where she learned to use the inhaler.
Apparently, the doctor overlooked the severity of the problem...

At 3 A.M. February 1st, 2000, Irene called me and I told her to immediately call the Emergency number. She had severe trouble breathing.

She was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY where she was told she had pneumonia.
She complained loudly about her inability to breathe and was agitated as a result.
To quiet her, (unknown to me at that time) she was forced to take haloperidol aka "Haldol" (a mind altering drug used on schizophrenics, psychotics and those with Tourette's syndrome and was being tied to her bed. (Irene has no history of those disorders)
She lay there soaked in her own urine and was barely conscious and was having great difficulty breathing. The haloperidol was causing her great distress physically and mentally.
Of course, they also gave her oxygen and antibiotics.

On Feb 10th, while under the influence of this Mind Altering drug (Haldol), Irene was subjected to a psychiatric evaluation by a Dr Nass at Good Samaritan Hospital
Naturally, she failed the test and Dr Nass wrote her up as "incompetent".
Yes, it does appear that Dr Nass is truly the incompetent one by permitting this test while his or her subject was drugged up) but apparently, it's common practice and no one seems surprised or alarmed at this unethical behavior by so called "professionals"

It was several days later, after the evaluation, that I accidentally discovered for the first time that Irene was being administered Haloperidol. I stayed late and the "med" cart came around. I asked the attendant "What are these pills?" He gave me their names . I searched the internet and asked on newsgroups, .."what is this pill HALDOL?"

After finding information on Haloperidol, I was shocked. The social workers and the hospital staff never explained Irene's sudden changes except to say, "Irene was mentally degenerating and had dementia". I called Irene's lawyer.

Under protest from Irene's previous estate lawyer and myself, the hospital agreed to re-test Irene.
They then re-canted and refused to re-evaluate her while not under the influence of Haldol.

In the meantime, the hospital and social workers and affiliates were attempting to obtain guardianship over Irene and her assets, something Irene strongly objected to when she was between doses of haloperidol. They wanted her placed in a nursing home.
Irene had stopped eating and this was not being monitored by Good Samaritan hospital. She lost lots of weight, grew weak and was near death. Most of the time, she was barely conscious.
When I called the Assistant Administrator of Care Management regarding Irene's not eating and weight loss I was told.. "It's up to the floor nurses to see to that". The uncaring attitude was appalling!

"..The only time, it seems, a patient would get help was if a visitor complained loudly enough"
I began bringing in cans of "Ensure" strawberry which Irene enjoyed immensely. Jim, Irene's good friend and Taxpac Board of Directors member, brought in Jelly donuts and coffee, her neighbors, Lisa and Lou did also, along with other treats. I do believe that without these, Irene would have died of starvation at Good Sam under the very noses of all those Social Workers and Administrators.

No one could blame the nursing staff because it was quite obvious they were being overworked while the floor was understaffed. I witnessed one woman's plight first hand. She was on medication for "TIA" (mini-strokes) and was in the hospital due to having one.
She was there over 12 hours before she received any of her prescribed medications and was highly agitated. Other elderly patients were crying out for help to me as I passed their rooms. I personally went to the nurses station on more than one occasion to advise them.

The little lights that go on when a patient rings the bed button were being ignored. I felt that the level of care Irene was receiving was reprehensible. When I went to visit her almost daily, she was tied to a chair soaked in urine and her own feces. She explained she rang the bell, called for help to go to the bathroom, but no one came. The only time, it seems, a patient would get help was if a visitor complained loudly enough. God only know what goes on there after visiting hours.

After nearly two weeks, Irene literally escaped from Good Sam Hospital's grip.
This incident brought back memories of the "Angel of Death" - a big story back in the 1980's when it was discovered someone at Good Samaritan hospital was "terminating" elderly patients) . That individual, a male nurse, was apprehended.

Irene finally escaped, went home, received assistance from myself and her neighbors. How she managed to muster the strength to walk right passed the nurses station and leave Good Samaritan's chamber of horrors and get home is a story of extreme courage and fortitude. Irene has a strong will to live!

Mentally and physically, it was apparent that Irene had suffered greatly from her "treatment" at Good Sam hospital. She could hardly walk, lost weight and was severely emaciated . My own Mom stayed with Irene and was helping her regain her strength. We also employed another assistant, Daria.

In a day or two,, a woman representing herself as from "Visiting Nurse Services" without prior notice, was banging on Irene's door like she was trying to knock it down.
She was admitted and began badgering Irene with questions like "What day is this?, what year is this? etc".

I was there at this time and it was me who admitted her to Irene's home thinking this woman would check Irene's vital signs.
She did not do this and when I asked her to please check Irene's pulse, blood pressure, oxygen levels, etc, she became agitated, refused to check Irene and stormed out of Irene's house.
Later, a man arrived also unannounced and showed ID. He checked Irene's oxygen level and said it was "95" . Not low enough to require oxygen. Next day, two Department of Social Service workers "dropped in unexpectedly" early one A.M. and wrote down that Irene was incompetent. Who wouldn't be declared "incompetent" if given "haldol", subject to a starvation regimen and tied to a urine and feces soaked chair for hours on end? It takes time to recover from that!
I am amazed that Irene has had two visits from "concerned social workers" since she escaped.

Why did Good Samaritan hospital do this?
Was Irene's breathing problem actually a complication of the Congestive Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease later diagnosed at Southside Hospital?
Is that the reason Irene complained so loudly about lack of oxygen.. which resulted in Good Samaritan forcing her to take Haldoperidol to quiet her down?
Is today's treatment of choice for elderly patients "Drug 'em up - to shut 'em up" a medically sound treatment? Where were these Social Workers in Irene's time of need at Good Sam hospital?

In a week after leaving Good Sam's grip, Irene was putting on weight again and was just getting comfortably settled in when she developed edema of the ankles and myself and Daria drove her to Southside Hospital where she was immediately diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Congestive Heart Failure. (Note that we avoided taking her back to Good Samaritan at Irene's request!)
She received excellent treatment and was set to be released in about 10 days when medicare would no longer cover her stay and she was pronounced well.

At the strong urging of the social workers at Southside Hospital, I obtained "Power of Attorney" which Irene wanted me to have.
They suggested I use Southside's notary to obtain this document and said Irene was competent enough to understand what she was doing. I called his office but since he was booked up for that day, I brought in an outside notary where the Power of Attorney was signed by Irene and witnessed by the notary.

On the suggestion of Southside Hospital personnel, I placed Irene at an interim care facility for assisted living (Senior Plaza in Hauppauge) while I arranged for a live-in aide so Irene could return home where she wants to live .

On March 12 - I had arranged for my sister to care for Irene at her home until I could hire a permanent live-in aide. My sister was all packed and ready to come from Queens to help out for a month. I went to Kim Parbst at Senior Plaza and said "Irene would be leaving the next day". She said fine!
I told her to please arrange for Irene's prescriptions to be ready. Once again she said "fine"!
That night I received a visit from a Detective from the Suffolk County District Attorney's office and was advised that the Power of Attorney document Irene wanted me to have was not valid due to the evaluation done by Dr Nass at Good Sam over a month previously while she was under the influence of haloperidol.

I told Detective Krebs "..he would be declared incompetent if he himself was placed under haldol too", but, he was just doing his job. I told him the DA should be investigating what Good Samaritan hospital is doing to the elderly. Krebs questioned me about Irene's finances. I told him I had been paying Irene's bills under POA and Irene was sufficiently funded to be able to go home and live the rest of life in a familiar and comfortable home with a hired live-in aide to assist her.
He asked me the names of the banks Irene's accounts were in and I gave him that information.

Although I had arranged to take Irene out of the assisted living facility , I was told by the Detective that Irene cannot leave the facility I placed her in.
Apparently, Good Sam's report and the DSS and County of Suffolk is acting to obtain "Guardianship" over Irene, despite her objecting to them doing so. Apparently, someone at Senior Plaza had called the Dept of Social Services advising them that Irene was to go home the next day.
Detective Krebs advised me not to take Irene to her home. I was shocked! I had already told Irene she was going home and she expressed delight. How could I break this news to her?

The next day, I went to Senior Plaza with some fresh clothing for Irene and, of course, to break the bad news to her.
No sooner did I walk into the place when I got a call from Detective Krebs asking me if I intended to remove Irene. Incredible! The staff at Senior Plaza were alerted to call Krebs if I showed up! You don't know how insulting that was and humiliating. Here I am, Irene's friend, the one she trusts with the keys to her house . The one who is taking care of her house and cat. The one who has been her strongest advocate and the one Irene named executor of her Estate (of which I am not a beneficiary of) and Power of Attorney and Health Care proxy holder. I am being treated this way by the Suffolk County District Attorney's office and the Department of Social Services! Why?

Would they be doing this if Irene had no assets? When they see homeless women on the streets of Long Island pushing their shopping carts, where are these Social Workers? Did they ever stop their car when they saw one and asked if they were okay? Why aren't they being detained? Is it because they have no assets?
Irene is currently being held a virtual hostage.
Meanwhile, I am caring for Irene's cat at her home and taking care of her property. Her neighbors are also keeping a watch on things. Irene keeps asking to be taken home, something I now cannot do due to the Detective's warnings.

This is a story that was touched upon by Newsday's Gray Matters Columnist Saul Friedman in the March 4th 2000 edition of Newsday. These are quotes from that column...

"The experience of Irene W. of North Babylon who says she went into a Long Island hospital with a case of pneumonia but ended up tied to her bed on mind-altering drugs when she complained about her treatment,should serve as a reminder. if you're hospitalized, you need a friend, a relative, anyone you can trust to look after your interests and care." March 4th, 2000 -
Saul Friedman - Newsday's "Gray Matters" columnist.

Apparently, in hind-sight, having a friend who cares certainly isn't enough when it comes to getting sick at Good Samaritan Hospital. Saul Friedman and I e-mailed each other about one dozen times regarding what they were doing to Irene.
Friedman contacted the hospital but said he was shut out by the legal department of Good Samaritan Hospital. I kept all correspondence on floppy disk.

I also contacted Suffolk Life, AARP and other senior groups. One response I received is particularly worth re-printing here...

"> Joe-
> Unfortunately I can only shake my head knowing that what you have
> described is not only plausible but likely. The treatment Irene
> received is a manifestation of the labor saving device many health care
> professionals resort to in the face of complexity. Irene is lucky to
> have you as her advocate. Get her home before the hospital does more
> damage. There is a growing movement among MD's to treat patients like
> Irene at home. I sincerely hope the home visiting MD's grow in number.
> Keep me posted.
> Sincerely,
>
> Joseph A. Jackson, LICSW, CCM
> President, ElderCare Advisors, Inc.

Continuing the Story...

March 17, 2000 - Today, Irene received an advisory from the Dept of Social Services. She has been placed on a "PSA" order. (Protective Services for Adults).
Ironically, even though they know very well that Irene is at Senior Plaza in Hauppague, they sent it to her home address. They advised her that she was in the process of losing her rights. The county was stepping in to take charge of her life and assets and home. The right to a hearing was indicated, so we sent a letter to Albany requesting this. Both I, as Power of Attorney and Irene signed this and mailed it.

March 21st - Contacted a local lawyer, John Braslow, who was recommended to me by Sunset City Civic's President, Vinny Sciacca and personal friend. Typed the whole story and waited. He recommended another lawyer who specialized in elder care law. However, he advised that the Suffolk DA had no right to say the Power of Attorney I held was no good. He advised "It is a perfectly valid POA". Since Irene had some outstanding bills, I paid them with that Power of Attorney. I wondered if I would be getting another visit from Detective Krebs, but those bill had to be paid.

March 23 - Today, I spent the better part of the day waiting for a return call from a Ms Lisa Friedman, the new caseworker assigned to Irene's case from the Dept of Social Services PSA (Protective Services for Adults) division. She never returned my call.

March 24 - Finally got Ms Friedman. She advised me that the County was going ahead with seeking Guardianship and someone would be appointed by the courts to take over Irene's financial and health affairs. It might take weeks and of course, we will be appealing.

Irene's cat, Ms Friedman said, would probably be sent to the ASPCA (The cat "Smokey" is about 15 and has hyperthyroidism) That's a sure death penalty for Smokey. The "Guardian" appointed by the county would then make the decision to either send Irene to a nursing home or to her own home. (The latter being highly unlikely if a stranger is appointed guardian).

Spoke to a lawyer regarding him representing Irene. He said he charges $300 per hour and since my Power of Attorney was being challenged, he could not accept a payment from it. He said I would have to retain and pay him out of my own pocket. He suggested I request a court appointed attorney when the guardianship hearing takes place. So much for the rights of Irene to have "The attorney of her choice"

Why is that in New York State, the government thinks it always knows best what's good for the people?
Have they forgotten that the government is supposed to work for the people, not the other way around?
After all, Irene doesn't need court appointed guardians who are strangers. She doesn't need or want Social Services busy bodies sniffing around her house. She just wants to go home and wants her designated Power of Attorney (me) to hire a live-in aide and pay her bills and set up doctor's appointments. Is that too much to ask? Does she need lawyers who would charge her $300 per hour just to write a check to the electric company?
I have offered my time for free.

March 25 - Today, I went to Senior Plaza and as usual, Irene asked to go home. I asked Stephanie Woods, the facility's Administrator if I could take Irene out for a while. She said "Sure!".

On the way to Irene's house, we stopped at Duncan Donuts on Deer Park Ave and picked up coffee and Jelly Donuts (Irene's favorite) Then, we drove to Irene's house. Her neighbors Cathy and George greeted us. They were delighted to see her. Irene's cat "Smokey", who hadn't seen Irene in 5 weeks was ecstatic, to say the least! He would not leave Irene alone for a minute. He rubbed against her and actually sat on his hind legs like a rabbit and kept reaching up for Irene's hand for a rub and a pet. It was quite a sight!

Poor old Smokey. He doesn't know what evil lurks in the heart of the government bureaucrats. A loop around the neck by the pound, a lethal injection..and death.
At Smokey's advanced age, no one would adopt him.
Irene left her cat amply provided for in her will.. the one item omitted was "What if a scenario like the current one took place?' Who could have known it would come to this?

We stayed about an hour and since it was near dinner time back at Senior Plaza. Irene asked "Can't I stay here in my own home?" I replied "No", I might get arrested by the Suffolk County DA if I didn't take you back soon" She consented and sadly got back into the car.
I drove Irene back and left her at her assigned dining room seat.
I resolved to take Smokey to my house when the "order" was issued.
Next day, when I opened the front door of Irene's house to feed the cat, Smokey was waiting in anticipation. His disappointment at not seeing Irene was quite apparent.

Irene has interviewed influential people like Congressman Rick Lazio. I can recall her interviewing State Senator Owen Johnson and County Legislator, Dave Bishop. Irene's name is well known by Supervisor, Rich Schaffer, Councilwoman, Fran Brown and dozens of others. She has helped shape elections and worked on campaigns, helped elect a school board that stabilized taxes for 5 full years! It's amazing how in her time of need the government itself seems to be Irene's worst adversary. She is not even permitted to have a lawyer of her choice take on this case for her.

Maybe this webpage will spur some good public servant into action?
Although Irene has suffered some brain insufficiency (possibly due to that Haldol and lack of oxygen and an improper treatment at Good Sam hospital), she knows what she wants to do. She wants to go home and spend the remainder of her probably limited days in familiar surroundings, with her cat and a live-in aide.
Why does it appear that convicted felons have more rights than the elderly in New York State and Suffolk County?

March 26 - Went to the Suffolk County Dept of Social Services website and found this...

Adult Protective Services: 853-2234, 2235, and 2236

Website URL is:
http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/social/Directory/FCSA.html

Provides services for persons over 18 who are physically or mentally impaired and who are in a situation where they are harmed or threatened with harm by the actions of themselves or others. Potential clients have unmet essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and for medical care...
and have no one able or willing to help.
Adults in need of protective services may include the frail elderly, the mentally disabled, the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled, the seriously ill, the physically disabled, and alcohol and substance abusers. Any concerned person or Agency may make an anonymous and confidential call.

Irene has a home, food, clothing and financial resources. Most of all, she already has someone able and willing to help. So, why is the Social Services Dept even involved? Why have they gone so far out of their way to restrict those who are involved and who are able and willing to help? Why did they send a detective from the Suffolk County DA's office to advise the one who is able and willing to be involved to back off and not use the Power of Attorney and not to take Irene back to her OWN HOME with a live-in aide?

March 27 - Visited with Irene today and noticed a bad cough and some labored breathing. I notified Senior Plaza of this in writing a note at Stephanie Woods' (Administrator) desk (Woods was not in that day).
Later, Kim Pabst confronted me and was angry that I left a note on Stephanie's desk. I told her of Irene's problem and asked her to be sure to notify the visiting doctor (Goldstein) on Wednesday of this problem with Irene's cough and breathing.
However, Kim Parbst was just fuming over my leaving a note and apparently "forgot" to note to advise the doctor. I know this because on Wednesday, March 29th, I personally asked the doctor if he was told of this and said "No", he only saw her for a lesion, but, he did re-check Irene and didn't find any problem using the stethoscope.
He explained, "People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease tend to get barrel chested due to lungs expanding to try to compensate for lack of oxygen. He said " If Irene becomes a bit tense, this affects her breathing and she would become agitated, similar to a person drowning, they suffer from oxygen deprivation and become highly agitated". (Does that sound familiar?) Irene entered Good Sam hospital and was agitated. Instead of treating the cause, they sedated her with Haloperidol, psychiatrically evaluated her while drugged up and then left her to sit in her own urine soaked garments).
I made an appointment for Irene to see a pulmonary specialist that she saw while at Southside Hospital for April 7th (the earliest she could be fit in to the schedule) I will drive her there myself and advised Senior Plaza's personnel of this. I can only hope that they do not try to stop me. I will have to notify them again.

March 28 - A large brown envelope arrived today addressed to me from the SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPT OF LAW.
Enclosed was a "Show Cause Order" which is a hearing by the courts to determine if Irene will be placed under Guardianship. Attached was a summation by the Dept of Social Services with some really outrageous statements regarding the events that had occurred since Irene escaped from Good Sam hospital.
They, of course, omitted the parts that made them and the hospital look bad. (Like the Haldol, starvation and letting a patient sit in their own waste for hours on end) They seem to bend over backwards to discredit me personally.
Looks like telling it like it is and being an advocate for a friend doesn't make too many friends at the Suffolk County Dept of Social Services!
I responded to the assigned Court Evaluator, Deborah V Isler, esq with the real story of what happened. A court evaluator's job is to interview all parties involved and report to the court. The court date is set ironically on Irene's 80th birthday, May 5, 2000.
Found out from the paperwork that Kim Parbst of Senior Plaza was the one who faxed personal legal documents to the Dept of Social Services...Hmmm!

March 29 - Visited with Irene and asked if she received a copy of the order. She said "No"
Discovered also that Irene's pocketbook, which was missing for several days turned up - "minus" the $10 bill I placed in there for her. I have to report that to the desk at Senior Plaza.
Bad enough Irene's rights are being stripped - but to be robbed too is a disgrace!

March 30 - Had an idea last night. Why not try to contact some of Irene's long lost relatives? Went to Senior Plaza today and asked Irene about her Mom, her sisters and brothers and their names. I was surprised that Irene actually had 2 brothers and three sisters. She said all were dead though, but, several had children and surely there would also be grandchildren now in their 30's! She said her sisters settled in Florida.

I went on-line and did a search at Bigfoot's White pages and came up with 11 possible relatives. Today I mailed each of them a letter and a photograph of Irene asking them if they might be related.
At least if the DSS and DA stripped Irene's rights to have a Power of Attorney of her choice, if I find living relatives, that might solve some problems with them getting guardianship over Irene. Let's hope I get some responses. Tomorrow, I will search other states.
Also e-mailed a friend who does background searches. She's currently in Ireland, but hopefully she can use her search software to help me out upon her return....

March 31 - Irene asked again about going home. Picked up her laundry.

April 1 - Jim visited Irene and told me she was alert today and they had a pleasant conversation.

April 2 - Brought Irene home today for a few hours. Discovered that Irene had been placed back on antibiotics due to that congestion I pointed out last Monday. She also had some slight edema. I brought this to their attention and asked that the doctor look at it.. (I'm glad I made an appointment with a Pulmonary specialist for this Friday)

A long time friend of Pam and Irene (Roger) came in from Manhattan in response to the website article and we discussed the situation. Irene fell asleep during a good part of the visit home but awoke alert. Lois stopped by too and Irene had a great time, but still cannot understand why she had to go back to Senior Plaza.
Smokey was sad to see her leave. He had a great time with all that company today. Took the clean clothing I did in Irene's laundry room and brought them back to her closet at Senior Plaza..

Click Here For Part 2 ( Conclusion )

Click for some letters I received during the writing of this report

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