Autumn Wind Assisted Living

My mother was a resident at Autumn Wind Assisted Living, in Mineola, TX for almost a year. My mother and our family were happy with the care she was receiving. On 4/20/20, my mother went on hospice. At that time, the community was, and had been under quarantine. I was; however, assured that when she reached end of life, our family would be able to be with her. Her attending hospice nurse was denied access into the building (unless there was a change in condition). On 4/28 the facility contacted the on-call hospice nurse and reported a change in condition. The hospice nurse notified me that my mother was not doing well. She was going to monitor her for an hour and then call me back to tell me if my mother was at end of life. An hour later she called and told me my mother was showing signs of being close to death and I should notify family to come. I relayed to her that I was on my way to the facility. I then got a call from staff, telling me I was not allowed into the building, to be with my mother. She suggested I call back in the morning. I was beside myself, knowing that my mother needed me, knowing she was wondering why I was not there. I called the next morning and was met with push back again, then finally was told I could come be with her. I arrived the morning of 4/29 and my mother was non-responsive, and died about 30 min. later, never knowing I was there. Even hospice could not believe I was denied access to my mother. This was not what anyone would want at end of life. The next devastating event: Her apartment was paid for through the end of May. My brother and I wanted to move her items out that next weekend. I was told by Mary (Owner/Administrator) that she did not have the staff on the weekend to oversee a move-out and suggested a weekday. On May 5th, I spoke to Mary and arranged a move out on May 8, at 10 am. It would be myself and my husband clearing out the apartment. I explained, we would be sorting through her belongings and have it all moved. On Thursday, after 5 pm, Mary called to let me know she had something wonderful to share. She had her maintenance crew move all my mother's belongings to a dirty garage. I was without words, hurt, violated, angry and so was my family. When I arrived Friday morning, some items had been brought back to the apartment and other remained in the garage. My mother's pictures, and belongings were strewn on the floor all around the apartment. Her shoes that were nicely arranged were in a heap, her linens were wadded in box, and many items were missing. As I would report to Mary what was missing, "she seemed disgusted at the situation and said to let her know how much and she would reimburse me." After getting moved and home with my mother's belongings, there were even more items missing. This was not the way her stay at Autumn Wind had to end. Mary's actions and reactions were without compassion and respect. My mother did not have a lot, but what she did have was family and her few possessions. She would have wanted me by her side, as she struggled in those final hours. She would have wanted her possessions handled with care by her family....not rummaged through and thrown in a garage, picked over, and stolen. Mary (Owner/Administrator), please give your future residents and family members dignity at end of life. Take responsibility for your inappropriate protocols, please do not blame it on your staff. Though unimportant to you, my mother's final hours were important to her and our family., and so were her belongings.